Headaches, Tinnitus & Hearing Loss

The migraine experience is unique to each individual. Flashes of light, sound sensitivity, and nausea often characterize the pain experienced. Still, most sufferers would agree that it can significantly affect the quality of our lives.

On top of those symptoms, many are unaware that the condition can cause hearing problems and ear-related concerns. According to the Vestibular Disorders Association, over 40% of migraine sufferers experience vertigo and dizziness, signs of vestibular system dysfunction, including inner ear sections.

Indeed, it’s not uncommon for migraine sufferers to experience increased sensitivity to sound during a migraine episode, known as sonophobia or phonophobia.

Is Migraine Linked to Hearing Loss?

According to experts, migraines do not cause hearing loss, but some typical hearing-loss disorders are connected with migraines. It’s unknown whether one issue causes the other or if they coexist. However, there’s evidence that patients with hearing loss have more migraine attacks.

Vestibular migraine is caused by a problem with the inner ear and brain region that controls balance. You may feel motion sickness, dizziness, and possibly some hearing alterations during that type of migraine, which could include fluctuating changes — diminished hearing or hypersensitivity — and tinnitus.

Tinnitus is typically described as a ringing in the ears, although it can also sound like roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the heard sound can be faint or loud, high-pitched or low-pitched, and present in one or both ears. Tinnitus is more common in people who have hearing issues.

The remedies vary depending on the underlying reason. If a migraine causes your tinnitus, treating the migraine may help. If you experience tinnitus, it’s a good idea to consult a neurologist or primary care physician to determine whether it’s a hearing problem or a brain problem.

Pressure in the brain can cause hearing loss and headaches

The journal Otology & Neurotology released a study this month that found a relationship between migraine headaches, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The investigation looked at survey data from 1999 to 2004. It relied on participants’ subjective judgments of their hearing loss and tinnitus.

According to researchers, migraine, hearing loss, tinnitus, and neck pain are linked. Because this is the first investigation into the area. It is too early to conclude whether migraine causes hearing loss and tinnitus. One possibility is that migraine-induced vasoconstriction contributes to the loss of hair cells in the inner ear.

Tips to prevent migraines

Migraines may be debilitating, therefore preventing them is a top priority for anyone who suffers from them. However, preventative techniques are especially crucial if your migraines are severe or last several days or if your migraine medication has terrible side effects or is useless for you.

Get enough sleep: One of the most prevalent causes of migraine headaches is a lack of sleep. Adults should get seven hours or more of excellent sleep per night according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Watch your food intake: Some people suffer migraines after eating chocolate, soy products, nitrate-containing foods, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or food coloring. Because some foods have several substances, determine which one is causing your migraines. If you get migraines after eating something, keep a food journal to see a trend over time.

Avoid triggering smells: Strong odors, such as those found in cleaning goods and cosmetics, can cause migraines, as can prolonged exposure to fumes.

Avoid loud noises: Some people have reported that loud noises and particular sounds induce migraines. However, keeping a peaceful atmosphere is frequently easier said than done. Setting aside time for silent meditation has been demonstrated in studies to lower the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches.

Manage stress: Stress is a typical migraine trigger, and it can happen during or after a stressful incident. Although it is impossible to avoid stressful situations altogether, you can devote yourself to learning skills that will help you better manage them.

Caffeine intake should be controlled: Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, which means it constricts blood vessels, and migraine is linked to vasodilation. Your natural vascular controls will alter if your body develops acclimated to caffeine-induced vasoconstriction. When your routine is disrupted, it can take some time to adjust. A change in your coffee intake usually causes migraines. Caffeine withdrawal, for example, can cause an episode.

Avoid bright lights: Bright lights can cause a migraine or exacerbate the symptoms of a migraine attack. If the lights around you appear overly bright, consider wearing sunglasses or reducing the lights as much as possible.

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