Today's scanners are capable of acquiring images very quickly. However, such fast scans are usually accompanied by excessive acoustic noise.

The MHRA Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing recommends that hearing protection is given to patients undergoing scans if the acoustic noise for a scan type exceeds 85dB(A).

According to The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) , all staff remaining in the scan room during a scan must be offered hearing protection if their daily personal noise exposure exceeds 80 dB(A) (1st exposure level).

They must wear hearing protection if their daily personal noise exposure exceeds 85 dB(A) (2nd exposure level).

In the latter case the room itself must be designated a hearing protection zone.

If staff are present in the scan room during scanning, there is a strong possibility that they will be exposed to noise levels at or above the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) exposure levels.

In this case employers are obliged to have a formal noise exposure survey performed by a competent person.

Depending on the measured noise levels there are various obligations related to hearing protection and staff training and noise control.

MagNET's patient acoustic noise check is a quick, 2 hour service.

MagNET's physicists will visit your site and assess the levels of acoustic noise produced by your system when scanning with a selection of fast imaging sequences.

We use a precision acoustic noise meter to measure sound pressure levels at the scanner's isocentre.

Measurements are made in the dB(A) scale, designed to mimic the response of the human auditory system.

The effectiveness of patient hearing protection is also assessed.

This unique service is already included in our acceptance test service and we are now offering it as a stand-alone service.

If staff are present in the scan room during scanning, there is a strong possibility that they will be exposed to noise levels at or above The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) action levels.

In this case, employers are obliged to have a formal noise exposure survey performed by a suitably qualified, competent person.

MagNET can now provide this as a service.

Recommendations will be made with regard to the employer's obligations under the legislation.

Patient noise levels and the effectiveness of the site's hearing protection are also assessed.

If you would like further information on MagNET's acoustic noise check, please contact us.