Migraine and Ear Ringing: Are They Connected?

I'm happy to share with you this BackTable ENT Podcast on the topic of migraine and ear ringing (tinnitus). Atypical migraine is one of the primary drivers of loud, fluctuating tinnitus – and importantly, it's treatable! This is a doctor-to-doctor interview, but I think you'll enjoy it.

How to stop ringing in ears from migraine

Loud ear ringing often stems from heightened brain sensitivity due to “atypical” migraines. Unlike classic migraines, atypical migraines don’t always cause headaches—they manifest through sensory symptoms like ear ringing, neck stiffness, or even balance issues. The good news? Addressing the migraine process can quiet the ringing.

Understanding the Link Between Migraine and Ears Ringing

Atypical migraine triggers nerve inflammation and hypersensitivity in the auditory pathways. When the brain becomes overly sensitive, it amplifies the auditory signals, transforming mild tinnitus into intrusive, loud ringing.

This link between migraine and ear ringing means that effective tinnitus treatments must target the brain’s sensory processing system—not just the ears.

This is the #1 Misconception in tinnitus treatment: People assume tinnitus is solely an ear problem, when in reality, it affects multiple brain regions.

What Triggers Atypical Migraine and Ear Ringing?

The migraine reaction in the brain can be triggered by a variety of factors. Common triggers include:

• Stress: Elevates hormonal responses, increasing brain sensitivity and contributing to both migraines and tinnitus.
• Poor Sleep: Disrupts neurotransmitter balance and inflames the auditory pathways. Irregular sleep schedules, insomnia, or sleep apnea can worsen tinnitus.
• Dietary Factors: Certain foods, such as those high in caffeine, histamine, or tyramine, can activate migraine-related ear ringing.
• Sensory Overload: Overstimulation, like exposure to loud noises or bright lights, can trigger reactive tinnitus, which is associated with atypical migraine.

Recognizing and managing these triggers is crucial to reducing migraine activity, calming the auditory system, and lowering the loudness of the ear ringing.

Treatments for Migraine and Ear Ringing

Effective treatment requires a comprehensive, multimodal approach to address the nerve inflammation and brain hypersensitivity that occur with atypical migraine.

Here are the key strategies that we use at NeuroMed Tinnitus Clinic:

1. Medications: Migraine-specific medications, used in carefully titrated doses, help stabilize brain sensitivity and reduce neuroinflammation. These medications act as a temporary “umbrella of safety” during rehabilitation, calming the overexcited hearing pathways responsible for loud tinnitus.
2. Nutraceuticals: Supplements like magnesium, vitamin D, and CoQ10 play a vital role in supporting neurological health, reducing inflammation, and promoting brain resilience. They are particularly useful for individuals with medication sensitivities or as an adjunct to prescription treatments.
3. Lifestyle Adjustments: Managing stress, improving sleep hygiene, and adjusting diet to avoid known migraine triggers are foundational steps. Addressing these triggers helps reduce the frequency and intensity of tinnitus episodes by creating a healthier baseline for the brain's sensory processing system.
4. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps patients manage the “fight or flight response” seen in loud tinnitus by providing strategies to reduce stress and redirect the brain’s response to the ringing sound. It plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of stress-induced tinnitus amplification.
5. Customized Sound Therapy: Tailored sound programs retrain the brain to deprioritize tinnitus, gradually reducing its prominence. By introducing customized sound files matched to the tinnitus frequency, we can desensitize the brain’s hearing pathways and provides much-needed relief.

The Key to Tinnitus Relief: Multimodal Therapy

Tinnitus is a complex condition that involves multiple brain regions, including those responsible for sensory processing, emotional regulation, and stress response. No single treatment can fully address the underlying neurological, psychological, and physiological factors at play.

A multimodal, integrative approach—combining medications, nutraceuticals, lifestyle changes, CBT, and sound therapy—is essential for long-term success.

By addressing tinnitus from multiple angles, this comprehensive strategy helps heal the brain, calm the auditory system, and provide lasting relief. Tinnitus may be complex, but with an integrative approach, effective treatment is possible. Something can be done about tinnitus!

Do I Need to Take Medications for Migraine and Ear Ringing?

This is a common question, and the answer varies depending on the individual. For people who need medications, we provide prescription support, but not everyone requires them. The decision to use medications is personalized and discussed in detail during your first consultation.

For those with medication sensitivities, it’s worth noting that people with sensory sensitivity (including loud tinnitus) often have heightened reactions to medications as well. This is no surprise to us, and we are experienced in treating individuals with these sensitivities. If medications are prescribed, we use very low doses and titrate up slowly to avoid triggering sensitivities or intolerances.

Here are some other key points to remember:

• Medications Are Not Forever: They are used as a temporary measure to stabilize brain activity during rehabilitation. Once stability is achieved for 1-2 months, we wean patients off medications.
• Flexibility in Approach: Many patients start without medications and may try them later if needed to amplify results. This flexibility ensures we can tailor the program to your comfort level and needs.
• Ongoing Support: At NeuroMed, if medications are used, you’re not left on your own. You’ll have ongoing support from your provider to make micro-adjustments to your medication plan as needed.

Can You Cure Ringing Ears?

While tinnitus can’t always be “cured” in the sense of making the ringing sound disappear completely, it can be managed to the point where it no longer bothers you. For patients with chronic tinnitus, addressing the underlying atypical migraine activity can reverse many of the brain changes responsible for tinnitus and eliminate the fluctuating loudness. Once this loudness is stabilized, the ringing sound will fade into the background.

Find Relief from Ear Ringing at NeuroMed

If you’ve been struggling with loud ear ringing, there is hope. Advances in our understanding of the connection between atypical migraines and tinnitus are leading to effective, evidence-based treatments. By addressing both the migraine activity and the brain’s hypersensitivity, it’s now possible to achieve long-term relief and regain control of your life.

At NeuroMed, we specialize in treating tinnitus as a symptom of atypical migraine, combining the latest neurological insights with holistic therapies to achieve results. Patients in our program often report significant improvements in tinnitus and overall well-being. Ringing in the ears isn’t just something you have to live with—it’s something that can be treated.

How can you find out more? Set up a free consultation with one of our intake staff to learn how NeuroMed can help you find tinnitus relief.