When most people think about migraines, they typically picture a pounding headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. But the effects of migraine can extend beyond the head.
For some people, migraine attacks are accompanied by ringing in the ears (tinnitus), a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears, and even hearing changes. There is also a growing body of research that suggests that there is a link between migraines and hearing loss.1
In this guide, we look at different migraine-related hearing symptoms and the underlying mechanisms connecting the two conditions.
How Are Migraines and Hearing Connected?
The connection between migraines and hearing involves the relationship between the brain, inner ear, and sensory pathways:
- Migraines: Migraines are a neurological condition that can cause intensely painful headaches and affect how the brain processes sensory information. During a migraine attack, the nervous system can become particularly sensitive to sensory stimuli such as light, movement, scents, and sounds.
- Inner Ear: In addition to housing the auditory system, which allows us to hear, the inner ear also contains the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance.
- Sensory Pathways: The auditory and vestibular systems are closely connected to the sensory pathways in the brain, so it is common for hearing and balance to also be affected during a migraine.
Because migraines affect sensory processing, symptoms related to the ears, hearing, and balance are commonly associated with migraine attacks.
Migraine-Related Hearing Symptoms
During or around a migraine attack, some people may experience auditory symptoms such as:
- Increased sensitivity to sound
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Dizziness and nausea (vertigo)
- Ear fullness, pressure, or pain
- Temporary hearing changes
While migraine-related auditory symptoms and hearing changes are generally temporary, they should not be ignored. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of hearing loss, it’s important to understand the root cause and receive timely treatment.
Find an Audibel hearing clinic near you to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive hearing evaluation.
Can Migraines Cause Hearing Loss?
During a migraine, hearing changes are generally temporary and subside when the migraine attack ends. However, there is also evidence that people with migraines may have an increased risk of hearing loss.1 Researchers are investigating several possible reasons for this, including changes in blood flow, inflammation, and brain chemistry.
Below, we take a closer look at several ways migraine disorders may contribute to hearing loss:
Restricted Blood Flow to the Inner Ear
Researchers have proposed reduced blood flow to the inner ear as one possible explanation for the increased risk of hearing loss seen in people with migraine disorders.2
The inner ear (cochlea) needs a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients delivered through the blood to work properly. Migraines can cause changes in blood flow throughout the body, including the tiny vessels that supply the inner ear.
If blood flow is disrupted, even temporarily, it could interfere with how the inner ear processes sound, resulting in temporary hearing changes. More significant or prolonged blood flow issues can also cause irreversible damage to the inner ear that could result in permanent hearing loss.
Chronic Inflammation Can Affect Auditory Health
Chronic inflammation is another possible link between migraines and hearing loss. During a migraine, the body releases substances that affect nerves and blood vessels and can trigger inflammatory activity and irritate protective tissue in the brain.
Ongoing inflammation in the inner ear can contribute to permanent damage over time, potentially contributing to hearing loss.
Brain Chemical Imbalances
During a migraine, the chemicals that help nerve cells communicate with each other can behave differently. This can affect how the brain and the inner ear process sound, contributing to symptoms such as tinnitus, sound sensitivity, or sounds seeming unusually loud or distorted during a migraine attack. Researchers are also investigating whether prolonged or repeated disruption of these chemical signals could place stress on the inner ear.3
Conditions Linking Migraines and Hearing Loss
Migraines can overlap with several conditions that affect the inner ear, including both hearing and balance. In some cases, the symptoms can look remarkably similar, making it difficult to determine whether a migraine attack, an inner-ear disorder, or another condition is responsible.
The following conditions may be associated with both migraine symptoms and hearing changes:
Vestibular Migraines
A vestibular migraine is a specific type of migraine that causes intense dizziness, vertigo, motion sensitivity, and balance problems. Hearing-related symptoms can also occur, including tinnitus, ear fullness, sound sensitivity, and temporary hearing changes.
Ménière’s Disease
An estimated 51–60% of people with Ménière’s disease also experience migraine headaches.4 Ménière’s disease is an inner ear disorder that causes recurring episodes of vertigo, dizziness, fluctuating hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and a feeling of ear fullness or pressure. Symptoms of Ménière’s disease can overlap considerably with migraines, particularly vestibular migraine.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) occurs when hearing declines rapidly, typically in one ear, usually due to problems involving the inner ear or auditory nerve. Research shows that people who experience severe migraines have an increased risk of SSNHL.5
Sudden hearing loss that develops in one or both ears should be treated as a medical emergency. If you or a loved one experience symptoms of sudden hearing loss, seek proper medical attention right away.
Schedule a Hearing Exam at an Audibel Clinic Near You
Your hearing plays a crucial role in your overall wellness and quality of life. One of the best things you can do to safeguard both your hearing health and long-term well-being is to catch hearing loss as early as possible.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of hearing loss, Audibel is here to help. With personalized care, you can enjoy better hearing every day and a higher quality of life for years to come.
Find an Audibel Hearing Clinic near you today to schedule a hearing exam.
References:
- Campello, C. P., Lemos, C. A. A., Andrade, W. T. L. d., Melo, L. P. F. d., Nunes, G. R. d. S., & Cavalcanti, H. G. (2022). Migraine associated with tinnitus and hearing loss in adults: A systematic review. International Journal of Audiology, 63(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.2151943
- Mohammadi, M., Balajelini, M. H. T., & Rajabi, A. (2020). Migraine and risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, 5(6), 1089–1095. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.477
- Xu, W., Zhai, N., Chen, J., Zhou, S., Tian, E., Guo, Z., Zhai, Z., Zhou, Z., Yu, X., Zhang, X., Ma, X., Lu, Y., & Zhang, S. (2026). Migraine and auditory dysfunction: beyond comorbidity. Journal of Neurology, 273(7). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-026-13957-0
- Frank, M., Abouzari, M., & Djalilian, H. R. (2023). Meniere’s disease is a manifestation of migraine. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery, 31(5), 313–319. https://doi.org/10.1097/moo.0000000000000908
- Chu, C., Liu, C., Fuh, J., Shiao, A., Chen, T., & Wang, S. (2012). Migraine is a risk factor for sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A nationwide population-based study. Cephalalgia, 33(2), 80–86. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102412468671
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