Have you had several headaches or migraines recently? Perhaps you’ve had migraines your whole life. While these headaches can be extremely painful, some adults also report some additional symptoms. It turns out the severe headaches and migraines are closely linked to tinnitus and hearing loss. Here’s what we know.
Headaches can Increase the Risk of Hearing Loss
A study from the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, at the University of California found that tinnitus and hearing loss are more common for people who often have headaches or migraines. The researchers looked at data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and they had a sample of nearly 13,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 65.
They found that adults who had frequent migraines were far more likely to have both tinnitus and hearing loss. In fact, those with migraines were 2.2 times more likely to have tinnitus and 1.5 times more likely to have hearing loss!
Migraines are also a lot more common than you might think. Of the nearly 13,000 participants, 20.5% reported having migraines.
Do You Have Migraines?
Migraines often start with a few warning signs. These mental and physical signs include mood changes, sudden fatigue, sore muscles, nausea, or even a visual aura. Soon after, migraine pain sets in. This is a severe form of headache, and you may experience throbbing or pulsing pain in your head, along with sensitivity to light and sound.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you’re having a headache or a migraine. In both headaches and migraines, you’ll experience pain in your head. Usually, headaches are milder, and the pain may be a dull ache. Migraines, on the other hand, are more severe, including throbbing pain and other symptoms such as dizziness or nausea.
Migraines and Hearing Loss
How are migraines and hearing loss linked? A 2012 study looked at the relationship between migraines and hearing loss. Researchers collected data from 58 participants who all experienced migraine pain. Two-thirds of the participants had abnormal cochlea function or problems with the auditory pathways! This means that those with migraines also have some ongoing issues with the inner ear or auditory function.
These abnormalities could be caused by changes in blood flow that usually occurs during a migraine. When the blood flow is disrupted, the ear can be the first to suffer. The delicate cells in the inner ear are very susceptible to changes in blood flow, blood pressure, or blood oxygen levels. At the same time, the ears are not a vital organ, so when the body is experiencing pain, for example during a migraine, blood flow to the ears isn’t prioritized.
Can Migraines Cause Sudden Hearing Loss?
Sometimes migraines or severe headaches can cause sudden hearing loss. In fact, migraine sufferers are almost twice as likely to have sudden hearing loss. As the name suggests, this hearing loss has a sudden onset and can be permanent. It’s usually caused by sudden damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve.
Migraines also increase the risk of tinnitus. This is a ringing or buzzing sound that only you can hear. Often called a phantom sound, you may hear this ringing sound when everything around you is very quiet. Tinnitus can occur during a migraine and persist after a migraine. You may start experiencing tinnitus even when you don’t have a headache.
Annual Hearing Tests
If you have migraines or headaches, you won’t automatically have tinnitus or hearing loss. However, you do have an increased risk of both tinnitus and hearing loss. That’s why we recommend that you schedule an annual hearing test to keep an eye on your hearing health. We’ll help you monitor your hearing, so you’ll know the moment something changes.
Treating Hearing Loss
Whether you have hearing loss from migraines, from exposure to loud noise, or just as a part of the natural aging process, we can help. We have years of experience in providing exceptional hearing health, and we can help you monitor your symptoms and find the right treatment.
If you choose to get hearing aids, we’ll help you narrow your options to devices that fit your hearing needs, match your lifestyle, and won’t put a strain on your budget. Come see us today!