Migraine and Hearing Loss: Is There a Connection? What the Research Says

Migraine is an extremely common condition. It’s the third most common cause of neurological disability in the world, after stroke and dementia.

Migraine symptoms are well-known: throbbing pain, sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, and even vomiting.

But a rarer and lesser known phenomenon that can sometimes occur alongside migraine may be surprising to some: hearing loss.

What exactly is the relationship between hearing loss and migraine? Does one cause the other, or do they coincide? What symptoms should you watch for? Keep reading to dive into the research and find out what experts say about the link between the two.

Common migraine symptoms include:

Pounding or throbbing headache
Sensitivity to light (also called photophobia)
Sensitivity to noise (also called phonophobia)
Sensitivity to smells
Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue or extreme tiredness
Vertigo or dizziness

Vertigo and dizziness occur with migraine attacks because migraine can affect your vestibular system — the part of your inner ear that helps you keep your balance and orient yourself spatially.

Types of Migraine

If you have moderate to severe vestibular symptoms like loss of balance, dizziness, and vertigo, along with your other migraine symptoms, you may have a subtype of migraine called vestibular migraine.

The two major types of migraine are migraine with aura and migraine without aura. About 40 percent of people with migraine experience aura, a series of symptoms that occur early on in the migraine process.

Regardless of the type, a migraine attack can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days and is frequently disabling. It can be hard to carry out simple tasks, go to work, or be productive during a migraine attack.

The condition can affect a person’s quality of life and overall well-being, impacting sleep, mental health, and physical health.

“There’s a recognized connection between migraine and hearing loss, though the relationship isn’t entirely understood,” says Michael Genovese, MD, a physician and the chief medical adviser at Ascendant New York.

Hearing loss isn’t a typical symptom of migraine, Dr. Genovese explains, but it can occur because of how a migraine attack can affect the function of the inner ear. When the inner ear is affected, sudden hearing loss can occur, a phenomenon called “sensorineureal hearing loss” in clinical terms.

Studies show that migraine, particularly migraine with aura and vestibular migraine, increase the risk of hearing loss. For instance, a landmark study of more than 10,000 people with migraine (and more than 40,000 people without) found that people with migraine were 1.8 times more likely to develop sudden hearing loss.

Newer research confirmed the findings: a much larger meta-analysis of existing studies examined about 280,000 people and found that participants with migraine were nearly 40 percent more likely to develop sudden hearing loss than people without migraine.

Another, smaller, study published in 2023 found that 92 percent of people living with vestibular migraine had some form of hearing impairment, and almost 70 percent had hearing loss.

It’s important to remember that losing your hearing as a result of migraine is still unlikely. Hearing loss with migraine remains a rare occurrence, as the overall (or absolute) risk of developing this condition remains fairly low, according to the studies.

Still, the researchers note that migraine patients with auditory symptoms should be screened for sudden hearing loss.

“Although not everyone with migraine will experience hearing-related symptoms, it’s a connection worth exploring, especially if hearing problems arise alongside frequent migraine episodes,” says Genovese.

How Might Migraine Cause Hearing Loss?

Although researchers know migraine raises the risk of hearing loss, the reasons why this happens remain less understood. A few studies have tried to elucidate the mystery, but the mechanisms remain unclear, and researchers couldn’t work out how one might cause the other.

Still, there are possible explanations. “Migraine may lead to hearing loss through two primary pathways: changes in blood flow and inflammation,” says Genovese. “During a migraine attack, blood vessels can constrict and then suddenly dilate, causing disruptions in blood circulation. This inconsistent blood flow can affect the inner ear, which relies on a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients to function correctly.

“When this supply is disrupted, it can damage the delicate structures involved in hearing,” he says.

Migraine attacks also trigger inflammation in the body, Genovese says, which can then interfere with nerve signaling in the auditory pathways. “These inflammatory changes may play a role in causing symptoms like tinnitus, ear fullness, or even sudden hearing loss. Vestibular migraine attacks, in particular, are more closely associated with hearing and balance symptoms.” Tinnitus is characterized by a ringing, buzzing, or humming sound in the ears.

Nina Riggins, MD, PhD , a neurologist in Palo Alto, California, and a UCNS certified headache specialist, agrees. “Hearing loss is not a migraine symptom, but it can potentially affect people living with migraine more than people who don’t have migraine,” she says. “There could be many reasons for this, including the fact that migraine is associated with tinnitus, which can affect hearing.”

“It’s also possible that in people who live with migraine, chronic pain leads to the phenomenon of brain sensitization,” Dr. Riggins explains, a process in which the brain becomes too sensitive to stimuli over time.

While tinnitus is one of the most common hearing-related symptoms of migraine, there are others.

“Some people also report a sensation of ear fullness or pressure, as if their ears are clogged or under strain,” says Genovese. In more severe cases, migraine attacks can be linked to sudden hearing loss in one or both ears, often occurring without warning. Increased sensitivity to sound, known as phonophobia, is another frequent symptom during migraine episodes, making everyday noises feel overwhelmingly loud or even painful.”

In addition to these hearing-related symptoms, vestibular migraine, which affects the inner ear, may also cause:

Dizziness
Vertigo
Balance problems

Riggins also cautions that “abrupt hearing loss could be a symptom of a vascular event. Migraine, especially migraine with aura, is an established risk factor for cardiovascular system changes. Prompt medical attention to rule out vascular events, such as stroke, in persons with sudden hearing loss should be done,” she says.

When to Seek Medical Advice for Migraine-Related Hearing Issues

“Symptoms like tinnitus, ear fullness, or sudden hearing loss shouldn’t be brushed aside, mainly if they occur regularly alongside migraine attacks,” says Genovese. “These signs deserve attention and a proper medical evaluation. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, consulting a neurologist and an ENT specialist is the best approach,” he says.

There are several healthcare providers who can diagnose and treat hearing loss. Riggins stresses the importance of collaboration between multiple specialties.

“Neurologists work very closely with otolaryngologists to diagnose and treat hearing loss. Primary care doctors are part of the treatment team. Audiology colleagues help patients with diagnostic tests. Dentists and orofacial specialists may be involved when [jaw pain] is on the list of issues to address. Also, other specialties such as rehabilitation medicine (including physical therapy) or ophthalmology make the multidisciplinary and patient-centered approach a success.”

Riggins also explains that a comprehensive eye exam is important if you’re experiencing pulsatile (throbbing) tinnitus, as this can be a sign of high intracranial pressure, and eye doctors can help rule it out.

While hearing loss is not a symptom of migraine, people living with migraine are at a higher risk of developing hearing loss and other hearing-related problems. The reasons for this connection are not entirely understood, but there are many possible explanations involving blood flow, inflammation, or brain sensitivity.
Overall, the risk that a person will experience hearing loss as a result of migraine is still low. But if you do experience symptoms, seek medical attention, particularly if you’re experiencing sudden hearing loss. Remember there are many healthcare professionals who can help, from your primary care physician to neurologists and ENT specialists.
“Early intervention can prevent complications, improve symptom management, and clarify the underlying cause,” says Genovese. “Taking these symptoms seriously is an essential step toward protecting both your hearing and your overall health.”

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