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Migraine and auditory dysfunction: beyond comorbidity

A dispatch from PubMed — filed

Migraine operates as a systemic disorder of multisensory sensitization. Within this spectrum, auditory manifestations, including sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis, represent prevalent yet frequently overlooked otologic phenotypes....

Clinical Takeaway

Audiologists evaluating patients with unexplained sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, or hyperacusis should consider asking about migraine history, as the relationship may reflect shared pathophysiology rather than coincidence.

Why It Matters

Reframing migraine as a multisensory disorder with auditory dimensions could reshape how audiologists and neurologists collaborate on patients presenting with hearing complaints alongside headache disorders.

Key Points
  1. 01Review proposes migraine is a systemic multisensory disorder, not solely a headache condition.
  2. 02Auditory manifestations linked to migraine include sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis.
  3. 03Authors argue the migraine–auditory dysfunction relationship reflects shared pathophysiology, not just comorbidity.
  4. 04Published in Journal of Neurology (DOI: 10.1007/s00415-026-13957-0).
  5. 05Findings suggest a role for interdisciplinary management between audiology and neurology.
Claims & Evidence

Migraine is associated with auditory dysfunction including sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis.

studypartially supported

The relationship between migraine and auditory dysfunction goes beyond simple comorbidity and reflects shared pathophysiological mechanisms.

opinionpartially supported
Research metadata
PMID
42371148
DOI
10.1007/s00415-026-13957-0.
Journal
Journal of Neurology
Publication type
review
Evidence level
5
Population
Patients with migraine and auditory dysfunction (literature review population)
Intervention
Narrative review of migraine-associated auditory manifestations

Primary outcomes

Characterisation of auditory manifestations associated with migraine; Assessment of pathophysiological mechanisms linking migraine and auditory dysfunction

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