Inner Ear and Auditory Nerve MRI in Kyiv

Inner ear MRI is a magnetic resonance imaging examination of the temporal bone and the cerebellopontine angle. It shows the cochlea, the vestibular apparatus, the internal auditory canal, the auditory and facial nerves, and the area where these nerves exit the brainstem. It is most often prescribed to find the cause of one-sided hearing loss, ringing in the ear or dizziness and to rule out an acoustic neuroma.

At HBMedical, an inner ear and auditory nerve MRI costs 3200 UAH without contrast and 6000 UAH with contrast. The examination is performed on a Siemens Magnetom Sempra 1.5 Tesla scanner at: Kyiv, 3 Oleksandra Dovzhenka St., 2 minutes from «Shuliavska» metro station. Diagnostics are available every day from 6:00 to 23:00.

Inner Ear MRI Price

One MRI service covers both ears: both temporal bones and both cerebellopontine angles. There is no extra charge for the right and left ear separately.

In different clinics and referrals, this examination may be called by different names:

• inner ear MRI;
• MRI of the cerebellopontine angles;
• MRI of the internal auditory canals;
• MRI of the petrous temporal bones;
• auditory nerve MRI.

When booking, give the wording from your referral, and the administrator will select the appropriate service.

If an MRI has already been done at another center, HBMedical radiologists can prepare a report based on those images (2000 UAH). The report can also be issued in English (2000 UAH).

An autumn promotion on MRI is running, depending on the time of the examination: −25% from 5:30 to 7:00, −15% from 7:00 to 8:00 and −20% from 21:00 to 23:30. Please confirm the terms with the call center.

What an Inner Ear MRI Shows

The examination is performed with thin slices. It shows small structures that are not visible on a standard brain MRI:

• the auditory and vestibular nerves along their entire course from the brainstem to the inner ear;
• the facial nerve, which runs alongside;
• the internal auditory canal: widening, narrowing, masses in it;
• the cerebellopontine angle — the space between the brainstem and the cerebellum, where tumors of this area most often occur;
• the cochlea and semicircular canals: congenital structural anomalies, inflammatory changes, replacement of fluid with scar tissue;
• blood vessels that may press on cranial nerves (neurovascular conflict);
• inflammatory and space-occupying changes of the middle ear.

MRI has its limits. The method shows nerves, fluid and soft tissues well, but shows bones less well. The auditory ossicles, thin bony walls, temporal bone fractures and otosclerosis are better assessed by CT.

MRI for Acoustic Neuroma

An acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) is a benign tumor arising from the nerve sheath that grows in the internal auditory canal or the cerebellopontine angle. It often presents with one-sided hearing loss, ringing in one ear or balance problems.

MRI is the main method for detecting an acoustic neuroma. On the images, the doctor assesses:

• the size of the mass;
• whether it extends beyond the auditory canal;
• whether it presses on the brainstem.

Further management depends on this: observation, radiation or surgery. When a neuroma has already been diagnosed, MRI is repeated to assess whether the tumor is growing.

When the Examination Is Prescribed

A referral is usually issued by an ENT doctor (otolaryngologist), audiologist, neurologist or neurosurgeon. Typical reasons:

• hearing loss on one side or a significant difference in hearing between the ears on an audiogram;
• sudden hearing loss;
• constant ringing or buzzing in one ear;
• repeated episodes of dizziness, balance problems;
• weakness of the facial muscles on one side;
• attacks of facial pain or involuntary twitching of half of the face, when the doctor suspects a blood vessel pressing on a nerve;
• preparation for cochlear implantation: the structure of the cochlea and the presence of the auditory nerve need to be checked;
• follow-up after treatment of a neuroma or other masses in this area.

It is impossible to tell from a symptom alone whether an MRI is needed. The decision is made by the doctor after an examination and audiometry.

Inner Ear MRI with or without Contrast

In an MRI with contrast, a gadolinium-based agent is injected into a vein. A neuroma and inflamed nerves take up the contrast and become more noticeable. That is why, when a tumor is suspected, when a nerve is inflamed or after treatment, the doctor most often prescribes an MRI with contrast.

Without contrast, special thin slices clearly show the nerves in the fluid of the internal auditory canal, the structure of the cochlea and semicircular canals, and the vessels near the nerves. For some purposes, this is sufficient. For example, a non-contrast MRI is performed to assess anatomy before cochlear implantation or when a blood vessel is suspected of pressing on a nerve.

Follow the referral. If the doctor specified «with contrast», do not replace the examination with a non-contrast one because of the price difference: a small neuroma may be harder to see without contrast.

Before contrast is given, tell staff about kidney disease and any previous reactions to contrast agents. If there are risk factors, a blood test for creatinine may be needed.

Inner Ear Alone or Together with the Brain

Dizziness, ringing in the ear and balance problems may have a cause outside the ear. Sometimes the cause is in the blood vessels or the brain tissue. That is why, for some symptoms, the doctor prescribes a combined examination: a brain MRI together with the petrous temporal bones and cerebellopontine angles.

If your referral specifies only the brain, see the page brain MRI in Shuliavka.

MRI or CT of the Temporal Bones

Method	What it shows best	Limitations
Inner ear MRI	The auditory, vestibular and facial nerves, a neuroma, fluid in the cochlea and canals, the cerebellopontine angle	Shows bones and auditory ossicles less well
Temporal bone CT	Bony structures, auditory ossicles, fractures, otosclerosis, spread of chronic otitis to the bone	Shows nerves and soft tissues less well, uses X-ray radiation

For hearing loss caused by damage to a nerve or the inner ear, MRI is more often chosen. When the problem is in the middle ear or bone, CT is more often chosen. Sometimes both methods are needed. HBMedical also offers computed tomography, so both examinations can be done at one center.

Hearing Aids, Implants and Safety

Before an MRI, be sure to remove your hearing aid. The magnetic field can damage it.

A cochlear implant and a middle ear implant are a separate situation. MRI compatibility depends on the model and the manufacturer’s conditions, and sometimes the examination is not possible. Tell staff about the implant when booking and bring the documents for it.

Also tell staff about:

• a pacemaker, neurostimulator, insulin pump;
• vascular clips;
• metal devices and fragments in the body;
• pregnancy.

Preparing for an Inner Ear MRI

For an MRI without contrast, special preparation is usually not needed: you can eat, drink and take your usual medications.

Before the examination:

• bring your referral, audiogram, the report of your ENT doctor or neurologist and previous MRI or CT scans;
• remove your hearing aid, earrings, piercings, hairpins and other metal jewelry;
• if contrast is prescribed, confirm when booking whether you need to come on an empty stomach and whether a creatinine test is needed.

How the Examination Is Performed

1. You fill in a safety questionnaire and leave metal and electronic items outside the room.
2. You lie on your back, and your head is placed in a special coil and secured with soft pads.
3. The table moves into the scanner, and series of thin slices of the ear area are acquired. During scanning, you need to lie still.
4. If contrast is prescribed, the agent is injected into a vein and additional series are acquired.

The machine is loud, so patients are provided with hearing protection. If you have trouble hearing, tell the MRI technologist: they will agree on a signal with you for communication. You will also have a call button for staff.

An MRI usually takes 20–40 minutes, and longer with contrast. The scanner is designed for patients weighing up to 220 kg.

At HBMedical, MRI is performed for both adults and children, including before cochlear implantation. If it is hard for a child or an adult to lie still, the examination can be performed under sedation.

Results

A radiologist analyzes the images and prepares a report. You can receive it in 5–7 hours, either in person or through your patient account on the website. The images are saved to a USB flash drive so that you can show them to your ENT doctor, neurologist or neurosurgeon.

The diagnosis is made by the doctor who referred you for the examination. The doctor compares the MRI report with your audiogram, vestibular tests and examination findings.

Ear MRI near «Shuliavska» Metro Station

• Siemens Magnetom Sempra 1.5 Tesla scanner, closed-bore type, manufactured in 2021.
• Diagnostics are available every day from 6:00 to 23:00, so you can come for the examination early in the morning or in the evening.
• Address: 3 Oleksandra Dovzhenka St., a 2-minute walk from «Shuliavska» station. Convenient for residents of Shuliavka, KPI, Lukianivka, Dorohozhychi, Nyvky, and the Shevchenkivskyi, Solomianskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts.
• There is parking near the clinic.
• For people with special needs, lifts, wide corridors and accessible restrooms are provided. Medical transfer across Kyiv is available.
• The polyclinic, laboratory, MRI, CT and ultrasound departments work at one center.
• The center has its own independent power supply and operates regardless of whether there is electricity in the city.

For other examination areas and the general price list, see the page MRI in Kyiv at HBMedical.

How to Book

Call +38 (099) 344-30-00 or submit a request on the website, and a consultant will call you back to confirm.

When booking, tell staff:

• the wording from the referral: inner ear only or together with the brain, with or without contrast;
• whether you have a hearing aid, cochlear implant or other implanted devices;
• whether you have kidney disease or claustrophobia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an inner ear MRI cost at HBMedical?

3200 UAH without contrast and 6000 UAH with contrast. A combined MRI of the brain and cerebellopontine angles costs 5700 and 8100 UAH respectively. The report and USB flash drive are included in the price.

Can an acoustic neuroma be seen on MRI?

Yes, MRI is the main method for detecting it. When a neuroma is suspected, an examination with contrast is usually prescribed because even small masses are seen better that way.

Are an ear MRI and a cerebellopontine angle MRI the same examination?

Yes, at HBMedical it is one service. It covers the inner and middle ear, the internal auditory canal and the cerebellopontine angle on both sides.

Are both ears examined at the same time?

Yes, both sides are included in one examination, and the left and right sides are compared with each other.

Is preparation needed?

For an MRI without contrast, usually not. Before an examination with contrast, confirm the eating rules and whether a creatinine test is needed.

Can I have an MRI with a hearing aid?

The device must be removed before you enter the room. Be sure to tell staff about a cochlear implant when booking: whether an MRI is possible depends on the model.

Will the noise of the scanner damage my hearing?

Patients are provided with hearing protection that reduces the loudness of the machine.

How long does an inner ear MRI take?

Usually 20–40 minutes. With contrast, the examination takes longer.

When will the result be ready?

The report is prepared in 5–7 hours. You can receive it in person or through your patient account on the website.

Which is better for hearing loss: MRI or CT?

When a nerve or the inner ear is affected, MRI is more often chosen. When the problem is in the bones or middle ear, CT is more often chosen. The method is determined by the ENT doctor after an examination and audiometry.

The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor’s consultation.