Migraines, headaches and Tinnitus are all heterogenous disorders. What that essentially means is that their respective root causes are hard to pin-point. To make matters worse, none of these conditions have an easy cure. So, if you have headaches or migraines along with Tinnitus, you are in a bit of a double whammy. Do headaches cause Tinnitus? Or, does Tinnitus cause headaches or migraines? Why do these two bothersome conditions tend to coexist? What can you do to feel better? Let’s discuss.
Connection Between Headaches, Migraines and Tinnitus – What Studies Say?
Do Migraines or Headaches Cause Tinnitus?
Possibly, yes.
What is Your Tinnitus Handicap Score?
Calculate your THI Score in about 2-3 Minutes
A long history of migraines or headaches can mean that you are at higher risk of developing Tinnitus? How much of a higher risk? One study said the risk factor was heightened by a multiple of 3, when compared to the general population that didn’t suffer from migraines or headaches. And, the study also said that the risk factor increased by 3X not just for Tinnitus, but for other vestibular disorders like hearing loss and vertigo.
This study of over 2,500 patients with Tinnitus revealed that over 26% of those people also suffered from headaches and migraines. Another smaller study of 193 patients also suggested that 27% of Tinnitus sufferers had migraines or headaches. Both these studies also seemed to suggest that the incidence of severe or debilitating form of Tinnitus was higher when the headaches or migraines were more intense in nature.
Interestingly, one research case also linked the lateral tendency for a headache to affect unilateral Tinnitus. In other words, if your headache or migraine affected your right side of the head, the research suggested there’s a good chance Tinnitus is going to get a lot worse in your right ear.
How Severe is Your Tinnitus?
Find out by using this THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) Scoring Calculator
Does Tinnitus Cause Migraines or Headaches?
No studies or medical data seem to suggest that Tinnitus can cause headaches or migraines. But, just like there is no proof for the same, there is also no proof against it. The research community largely seems to think that it could still be a plausible theory.
How Can Headaches or Migraines Potentially Cause Tinnitus?
This is again up for speculation. But, one fairly common consensus that researchers have been able to come up with is a concept called Central Sensitization.
Central Sensitization is when sensitivity picked up by the brain is erroneously also interpreted as a stimuli by the spinal cord, or the other way around. In other words, a headache resulting out of inflammation of say the trigeminal nerve could also be confused as causing pain to the auditory nerve, when no actual pain or trauma exists. In other words, your Tinnitus could just be a byproduct that results out of your nervous system being in a state of confusion and unnecessarily heightened neural activity.
What Can You do for your Migraines, Headaches and Tinnitus?
As mentioned earlier, all three of these disorders are heterogenous in nature. Only a doctor might be able to narrow down the exact causes of these disorders that affect your health. They will usually look at your medical history and examine a variety of vital metrics and diagnostic data to try to come to a consensus as to what causes headaches, migraines and also your ears to ring. In most cases, even doctors won’t be able to pin-point the causes. This essentially leaves you in a frustrating situation where you don’t know why you have to suffer from headaches, migraines or Tinnitus, let alone know what you have to do about it.
Below, we have touched on 4 important solutions you can consider to seek relief or possibly even resolution.
Consider Taking a Magnesium Supplement
Magnesium can do wonders for your Tinnitus. And, it can do the same for migraines as well. We wrote a detailed post about magnesium and Tinnitus here. And, here’s a good scientific study on how magnesium can help migraines.
Talk to your doctor to see if Magnesium can help you with your migraines, headaches and also the ringing in your ears. There’s a good chance that it can, if you are Magnesium deficient.
Get Better Sleep
Headaches, Tinnitus and Migraines can all be triggered by lack of sleep or poor quality sleep. By simply sleeping better, even if only by a little, you can greatly relieve discomfort caused by any of the three conditions. If your Tinnitus is preventing you from catching a good night’s sleep, here’s a good post we wrote to help you with sleeping with Tinnitus.
Keep Stress at Bay
Like lack of sleep, stress and anxiety are strong triggers for headaches and Tinnitus. Stress can particularly exacerbate Tinnitus. And, a worsening case of Tinnitus can significantly decrease quality of life that can affect sleep and general wellbeing, spiraling a vicious cycle. Here’s a post we wrote on how to manage Tinnitus, stress and anxiety.
Exercise
Introducing an exercise routine might be the last thing on your mind if you struggle with headaches, migraines or Tinnitus. But, a consistent and regular exercise routine can greatly alleviate all three disorders. Even a 30 minute walk a day will give you at least partial relief from all three disorders, if you did it consistently.
Eat Better
Could your diet be better? Foods that are processed or high in salt, sugar or fats can significantly worsen Tinnitus, headaches and migraines. By simply following a healthier diet, you take away triggers that can otherwise cause your headaches or Tinnitus to come on on spike themselves.
Here’s a post we wrote about foods that aggravate Tinnitus.
