title: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation noise levels:  methodological implications for tinnitus treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure noise levels generated by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  rTMS noise levels measured in equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq) and in peak level (LC, peak), as a function of maximum power output of the equipment.
  
  
  METHODS
  rTMS noise levels were measured for an active and a corresponding sham coil, as a function of distance and percentage power output of a MagPro X100 system (Medtronic) and compared with occupational noise exposure standards, using parameters classically used for rTMS tinnitus treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences in frequency composition and intensity levels were observed between sham and active coil noises. The active coil noise reached, at 50% power, 96 LAeq (peak at 132 LC, peak), varying by 3.9 LAeq (3.9 LC, peak) per 10% of power increase, whereas the sham coil reached 87 LAeq (114 LC, peak), varying by 3.2 LAeq (3.6 LC, peak) per 10% of power increase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  rTMS noise levels differ significantly between active and sham coils, and can go beyond the American and European legal occupational noise limits, hence making ear protection a specific issue, particularly relevant to rTMS treatment for tinnitus.
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tringali
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Perrot
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Collet
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moulin
mesh_terms: D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome