Developing non-metallic earbuds for use in MRI machines
Official title: Non-metallic earbuds for auditory stimuli in MRI scanners
Funded at Sensimetrics Corporation · NIH-10820745 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on making special earbuds that can be used safely during MRI scans, so people can listen to sounds and speech without any interference, helping researchers learn more about how our brains process what we hear.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sensimetrics Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gloucester, United States) |
| Project start | December 10, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $275,765 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DC021136-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10820745 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing MRI scans who require auditory stimuli for brain function assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require auditory stimuli during MRI scans or those who cannot undergo MRI due to contraindications will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating specialized earbuds that can be safely used in MRI scanners, which are essential for studying how the brain processes sound and speech. Traditional earbuds often contain metals that can interfere with MRI imaging, so this project aims to design earbuds that are entirely non-metallic. The approach involves testing various materials to ensure they do not heat up or distort images during high-field MRI scans. By improving the auditory experience during MRI procedures, the research could enhance the quality of data collected on auditory perception.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective MRI scans for patients, improving the accuracy of brain studies related to hearing and speech.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of non-metallic materials in medical devices is common, this specific application in high-field MRI settings is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Sensimetrics Corporation
Gloucester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Von Wiegand, Thomas Edward — Sensimetrics Corporation
- Study coordinator: Von Wiegand, Thomas Edward
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.