Introduction
Millions of people all over the world are suffering from Migraines, a neurological condition. There can be a direct link Between Migraines and Hearing Loss. The relationship between Migraine and hearing problems is still being researched. This article provides you with complete information about how migraine can lead to sudden hearing loss and also suggests the precaution that needs to be taken to get rid of this potential risk.
What is Migraine?
A person suffering from the problem of migraine experiences a strong headache that can last for a few hours or some days. In some cases, several symptoms can be seen such as tiredness, stiff neck and mood swings. Some migraine sufferers experience a visual aura before starting the pain like seeing flashing lights, various shapes or bright spots.
Common symptoms of migraine
- Pain in one side of the brain or both sides
- Feeling Vomiting and nausea
- Extreme sensitivity to sound and light
Link Between Migraines and Hearing Loss
According to the reports of some studies the migraine patients often experience buzzing ears or tinnitus or some other kind of hearing issues. There is a risk factor for the migraine sufferers that they may suffer from both sensorineural hearing loss and sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL). The low blood flow affects the inner ear and auditory nerve during migraine attacks.
According to the study in JAMA Neurology, migraine affects the tiny hairs of the inner ears. These hairs are responsible for the conversion of received sound vibration to electric signals sent to the brain. If those hairs do not receive a sufficient blood supply, they can be damaged. During migraine, vasospasm of the labyrinthine arteries prevents the supply of blood to the auditory system. This inadequate blood supply causes temporary or permanent hearing loss. That causes hearing loss or hearing difficulties. The Link Between Migraines and Hearing Loss can be assumed by those studies.
Vestibular Migraine and hearing problems
Vestibular migraine is a type of migraine in which an individual experiences several balance-related issues such as dizziness, motion sickness, imbalance, and other symptoms. Vestibular migraine occurs in the part of the inner ear and brain. Vestibular migraine can cause Tinnitus, in which a person may experience buzzing, ringing, clicking, hissing, or roaring sounds. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication In tinnitus, the sound can be soft and low-pitched or high-pitched. The problem of tinnitus can be experienced in one ear or both ears.
Can Migraine lead to sudden hearing loss?
People who are suffering from migraine may be at risk of Sudden Sensorial hearing loss(SSHL). As per a study in 2022, the patients who had migraine and those who did not. 0.88% of migraine sufferers experienced sudden hearing loss compared to the 0.59% of persons without migraine.
- The Link Between Migraines and Hearing Loss is not completely understood, but according to some studies reports it can suggest that migraine can be a major factor for sudden hearing difficulties. The cochlea needs a delicate blood supply and has a high metabolic rate. Migraine causes changes in the activity of blood vessels and disrupted blood flow. This factor affects the inner ear, especially the cochlea. The inflammation due to migraine can also lead to severe damage in the inner ear.
- The headache due to migraine may lead to Meniere’s disease, a disorder in the inner ear. In this disease, an individual experiences tinnitus, dizziness, and even hearing loss. In some cases, a person having Meniere’s disease can experience a “Drop attack”; in this situation a person may lose their balance and fall.
The right time to contact an Audiologist for hearing loss
If you are suffering from chronic migraine, you have to be conscious of your auditory health. If you experience any sudden listening issues or some other auditory symptoms, you need to take necessary actions or contact an audiologist. Early detection of hearing loss can mitigate the risk of severe difficulty. An audiologist will recommend several effective audiological tests to analyse the status of your hearing loss and to find out the main cause of your hearing loss Vestibular function test will be helpful.
Proper timing and right diagnosis are crucial to avoid brain damage and eardrum damage. If you notice some symptoms such as a headache with redness in the ears, fever, swelling, night sweats, and chills, you need to contact an ENT specialist or hearing expert immediately.
If you are suffering from migraines and want to consult with an audiologist, you can visit Aural Care, one of the most trusted hearing care clinics in Kolkata. We facilitate you with advanced vestibular tests such as VEMP, VNG, and ECochG etc. to detect the root causes of hearing issues. We offer advanced facilities to provide you with an excellent listening experience.
Conclusion
The correlation between hearing loss and migraine is yet to be established. Several studies report an impact of migraine on auditory difficulty. You need to consult with an audiologist to avoid this risk. Severe migraine problems have an impact on the inner ears and cause hearing loss. Proper diagnosis and treatment is needed to mitigate the risk of hearing loss in the long term.
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