Time to Read: 4 minutes
Migraines are distressing enough without the additional concern of hearing loss.
But research conducted by Assiut University Hospital in Egypt has revealed a correlation between migraines and hearing loss. Although it is a small scale study (58 migraine sufferers), two-thirds of them were found to have abnormalities with their cochlea function and auditory pathways.
While more work needs to be done to work out how migraines can cause hearing loss, scientists believe it may be linked to compromised blood supply to the auditory system during migraine attacks.
During a migraine, a vasospasm (a sudden constriction of the labyrinthine arteries) can cut off the supply of blood to the auditory system. This can lead to gradual, yet permanent hearing loss through the damage to the small hairs in the inner ear that transmits electrical signals to the brain.
Migraines also appear linked to sudden sensorineural hearing loss. This is a serious but very rare medical condition where a patient rapidly loses their hearing in one ear. Researchers from Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan discovered a correlation between the those who experience migraines and the number of individuals who experience rapid hearing loss in one or both ears immediately or over the course of several days.
What is the difference between headaches and migraines?
Migraine affects over 3 million Australians. It is thought that more women suffer migraine than men due to hormonal factors.
Migraines are a very specific, severe form of headache known as a ‘primary headache disorder’. These are headaches which cause pain in the head, face, or upper neck, and can vary in frequency and intensity.
Secondary headaches occur as the result of another medical condition, such as an infection, stress, or medication overuse.
What you can do to manage migraines?
As debilitating as migraines are, there is good news for sufferers.
According to the Mayo Clinic, healthy habits and simple non-medical remedies sometimes stop migraines before they start.
They have some excellent tips on:
- Temperature therapy
- Relaxation and sleep management
- Be mindful of your food
- Regular exercise
- Stress management
What you can do to manage your hearing when you suffer migraines?
Scheduling regular hearing tests as part of your general health management is an important way to monitor and protect your hearing.
If you have hearing loss, getting hearing aids is an important step. There are tremendous benefits that even go beyond better hearing.
