Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology has significantly changed the way modern medical research and clinical diagnostic work is conducted. It provides the ability to obtain detailed pictures from within a living body in a non-intrusive manner. However, the acoustic noise generated (primarily by the gradient coil) during the imaging process presents significant problems for patients (heightened anxiety), health care workers (temporary and permanent hearing impairment), and medical research and diagnostic personnel (disturbed brain activation). The acoustic noise levels in the next generation of ultra-high magnetic-field-strength scanning systems currently being delivered to hospitals and research institutions are known to exceed the...