Why Migraine May Be Causing That Annoying Ear Ringing

So here’s the deal—I never used to associate my migraines with my ears. For the longest time, I thought the weird ringing sounds, the pulsing whoosh in my head, and the occasional muffled hearing were just random annoyances. Turns out, they weren’t random at all. If you’ve ever had that high-pitched, persistent ringing in your ears during or after a migraine attack, you’re definitely not alone. Tinnitus, or ear ringing, is way more connected to migraines than most people realize—and understanding how they’re related might actually help you manage both a lot better.

Can Migraines Actually Trigger Tinnitus?

It might sound strange, but yes—migraines can absolutely be the reason your ears won’t stop buzzing. This isn’t just some fringe idea either. More and more neurologists are recognizing the overlap between the two. The connection often comes down to how migraines affect our central nervous system and blood vessels.

When I first told my doctor about my ear ringing, I expected the usual “it’s just stress” talk. But she surprised me. She explained that migraines aren’t always just headaches—they’re complex neurological events. And the ringing? It could be a result of vascular changes, sensory overload, or even a type of migraine aura that’s more common than we think.

What the Research Says

Several studies suggest a higher prevalence of tinnitus in people who suffer from migraines. According to NIH, there’s increasing evidence that migraines may trigger or worsen tinnitus symptoms due to their impact on auditory processing pathways.

The link might also involve neurological causes of migraines, especially those affecting the brainstem, which is involved in hearing and balance. This makes the ringing less about your actual ears and more about how your brain is interpreting sound—or misinterpreting it.

Types of Tinnitus You Might Experience During Migraines

Now here’s where things get a little weird. Tinnitus isn’t always the same for everyone. For some, it’s a soft hiss. For others, it’s a shrill screech. And if you’re like me, sometimes it feels like a rhythmic whooshing that matches your heartbeat.

• High-pitched ringing: Probably the most common. It usually flares up during a migraine aura or right after the pain fades.
• Pulsatile tinnitus: A thumping sound in sync with your pulse. This one made me think I was hearing my own blood flow—it’s surreal.
• Buzzing or humming: Sometimes feels like a low electrical hum in your ears. This tends to last a bit longer.
• Sudden hearing changes: Not full-on deafness, but muffled sounds or pressure, like you’re underwater.

In some cases, this ringing might precede the migraine pain and act as a warning sign. If you’re someone who gets migraine with aura, this might feel familiar.

Why Does It Happen? The Underlying Mechanisms

Let’s get a little nerdy for a second. Migraines involve temporary changes in brain activity, especially in areas that process sensory input. One theory is that the hyperexcitability of neurons in migraine sufferers leads to misfiring signals in the auditory cortex.

There’s also the vascular theory. During a migraine, blood vessels in the brain constrict and then dilate. That can affect the inner ear or auditory nerve, especially if you’re dealing with vestibular or migraine with aura. Inflammation from the trigeminal nerve could also irritate surrounding structures and mess with your hearing.

Here’s another curveball—some migraine medications, especially over-the-counter ones, can actually cause or worsen tinnitus. Ototoxicity (a fancy word for ear damage from drugs) is a sneaky but real risk.

Personal Triggers and Real-World Examples

Here’s what really helped me connect the dots—keeping a migraine journal. I started noticing a pattern: whenever I skipped sleep, drank red wine, or forgot to hydrate, I got migraines… and with them came the dreaded ear ringing.

Some common migraine triggers that also tend to flare up tinnitus symptoms include:

1. Loud noise exposure (concerts, loud headphones, construction sites)
2. Stress – Classic, right? But tension does increase both migraine and tinnitus episodes
3. Weather changes – Yep, barometric pressure can affect your ears too
4. Hormonal shifts – Especially in women during menstruation or menopause
5. Sleep deprivation – One of the biggest culprits I’ve personally dealt with

Some people also find that sleep disorders and migraine go hand in hand with ear symptoms, especially if you grind your teeth or sleep in awkward positions.

Diagnosis: What to Do If You Suspect Migraine-Linked Tinnitus

When I finally saw a neurologist who specialized in headaches, things started making sense. They ran a few basic hearing tests, reviewed my migraine history, and confirmed the link. The key is not to assume the tinnitus is just an ear problem—it might be coming from your brain’s misfiring signals during a migraine cycle.

If you’re dealing with this, consider getting evaluated by a neurologist and possibly an ENT. A good starting point is understanding how migraines are diagnosed in the first place—because your treatment will depend on whether it’s classic migraine, vestibular migraine, or something else entirely.

To get a deeper understanding of how migraines behave and affect different parts of the body—including ears—check out the full guide on migraine symptoms and the main migraine hub on Healthusias.

Ways to Manage Migraine-Related Tinnitus

Once I figured out the migraines were behind my ear ringing, I dove deep into strategies that could help. It wasn’t about curing it (that’s the dream, right?), but more about keeping it in check. What I’ve learned? Consistency is everything.

1. Treat the Migraine, Ease the Ringing

If your tinnitus is caused by migraines, then managing the migraine often reduces the ringing. For me, once I started using a preventative medication, the frequency of the ringing dropped significantly. That alone was a game-changer.

Some helpful approaches include:

• Preventive medications like beta blockers, anti-seizure meds, or CGRP inhibitors (check out this CGRP guide)
• Acute migraine relief like triptans or NSAIDs taken early in an attack
• Botox injections (especially if your migraines are chronic)—I was skeptical at first, but Botox for migraine is now FDA-approved for a reason

And yes, always consult your neurologist or headache specialist before starting anything new. Trust me, I learned that the hard way after trying to DIY a supplement stack that backfired.

2. Noise Therapy

This one sounded weird at first, but it totally works for some people—myself included. When the ringing is really distracting, playing soft white noise or calming sounds (like rainfall or brown noise) can mask it. I use an app at night, and it helps me sleep so much better.

You can also explore tools like:

• Tinnitus & migraine tracker apps for noticing patterns
• High-fidelity earplugs for noise sensitivity during migraine attacks
• Migraine relief devices that target the trigeminal nerve

Lifestyle Changes That Made a Difference

Living with both tinnitus and migraines can feel like walking on eggshells, but some daily habits actually helped me feel more in control. Not perfectly cured—but way less chaotic.

Sleep is Sacred

Hands down, improving my sleep hygiene made the biggest difference. I started using blackout curtains, going to bed at the same time every night (even weekends), and cutting caffeine after 2 p.m. That alone reduced my flare-ups.

If sleep’s an issue for you too, here’s a breakdown of migraine-friendly sleep habits that are surprisingly doable.

Watch What You Eat and Drink

This one took trial and error. I had to say goodbye to aged cheese (sad face), but my ears thank me for it. Some foods are notorious for triggering both migraines and ear-related symptoms.

Common culprits include:

• Red wine, champagne
• Processed meats (think: nitrates)
• MSG-loaded takeout
• Artificial sweeteners
• Excess caffeine or sudden withdrawal

On the flip side, foods rich in magnesium and B2 can support nervous system health. I leaned into leafy greens, nuts, and omega-3s. You can find more insights on that in the guide on migraine diet plans.

Stress—Still the #1 Trigger

Let’s be real. We all hear this, but managing stress when you’re already in pain feels impossible. What worked for me was CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and guided breathwork apps. I started with five minutes a day and built from there.

Sometimes, the ringing would ease just by slowing my breathing and grounding my thoughts. Sounds woo-woo, but it works.

Natural and Alternative Therapies

I’ve tried almost everything—from acupuncture to essential oils. Not all of it worked, but I found a few gems worth mentioning:

• Magnesium glycinate: Less harsh on the gut, helps calm nerves
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): Known for migraine prevention and possibly tinnitus reduction
• Acupuncture: Surprisingly effective after a few consistent sessions
• Yoga: Gentle flows reduced both my stress and migraine frequency

Always loop in your doctor before adding new supplements. I made the mistake of combining B2 and CoQ10 without checking interactions—and let’s just say my stomach wasn’t happy about it.

If you’re curious about other holistic options, explore the full list of natural remedies for migraine on Healthusias.

When to See a Specialist

If you’ve been living with both migraines and persistent ringing in your ears, don’t brush it off as “normal.” I almost did—and I’m glad I didn’t. A specialist can pinpoint whether the tinnitus is migraine-related, something neurological, or a totally separate ear issue.

Here’s when to take it seriously:

• The ringing doesn’t stop even between migraines
• It gets worse with each attack
• There’s hearing loss or pressure in one ear
• You’re dizzy, off balance, or nauseated without clear cause

Most of the time, a good neurologist can partner with an ENT to get to the bottom of it. Learn more about working with a neurologist when migraines get complicated.

Helpful Deep-Dive Resources

For a more comprehensive understanding of how migraines evolve and impact the body, I highly recommend exploring treatment strategies from Healthusias’ migraine pillar content, and don’t skip the main migraine hub for broader guidance.

Bianca Nala

Bianca Nala is a compassionate Nurse Practitioner with a strong background in primary and respiratory care. As a health writer for Healthusias.com, she combines her clinical expertise with a talent for clear, relatable storytelling to help readers better understand their health. Bianca focuses on topics like asthma, COPD, chronic cough, and overall lung health, aiming to simplify complex medical topics without losing accuracy. Whether she’s treating patients or writing articles, Bianca is driven by a single goal: making quality healthcare knowledge accessible to everyone.