Vestibular Migraine and Tinnitus: A Challenging Narrative

Abstract

Vestibular migraine (VM) is one of the most common types of episodic vertigo. Over the last 11 years, this disorder has been studied by both neurologists and otolaryngologists. Based on the clinical symptoms and previous migraine history, the Barany Society and the International Classification of Headache Disorders have created the diagnostic criteria for VM. Unilateral and pulsatile headache, phonophobia, photophobia, auras, and a previous history of migraine have been included in these criteria. Although these symptoms are common and widely known, other symptoms not included in the Barany Society criteria are emerging and have been described in some clinical studies. These emerging criteria include audio-vestibular symptoms such as hearing loss, ear fullness, and tinnitus. Ringing ears could be associated with other vestibular disorders such as superior canal dehiscence and Ménière's disease, but not in VM. The frequency, pathophysiological contributors, and clinical characteristics of this symptom in individuals with VM will be explored in this review.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction in relation to tinnitus in Peruvian patients: A cross-sectional study

“…However, García et al . ( 26 ) found the opposite, and this could be because migraine generates vasospasms in small arterioles of the cochlea and the labyrinth is widely known as one of the main contributing factors for the presence of tinnitus. The difference with Garcia’s study may be due to differences in sample sizes because migraine in the present study was evaluated as a covariate.…”

Severe tinnitus and migraine headache in a 37-year-old woman treated with trastuzumab for breast cancer: A case report

“…One cross-sectional study showed that headache was associated with tinnitus, and the association was stronger for individuals reporting migraine with aura[ 11 ]. Ear injuries, central sensitization, and visual snow can cause tinnitus and may be related to the occurrence of migraines[ 12 , 13 ]. Migraine, tinnitus, anxiety and depression are prevalently comorbid disorders and have been frequently reported in patients with visual snow.…”

Cognition in vestibular disorders: state of the field, challenges, and priorities for the future

“…Tinnitus is common affecting approximately 15% of the population, and prevalence increases with age ( 110 , 111 ). Those with a recently diagnosed vestibular or ontological disorder are also at higher risk of being diagnosed with tinnitus ( 112 ), particularly Ménière’s disease and vestibular migraine (estimated prevalence of 49 and 39.6%, respectively ( 113 ),), for which tinnitus may be the first symptom of the vestibular disorder ( 114 ). Shared neural fiber connections between the cochlear and vestibular system, and changes in the hydrodynamics of inner ear fluids are thought to underlie this association, at least in Ménière’s disease ( 115 ).…”