Migraine and Its Association with Vestibulocochlear Symptoms

Migraine is a common and potentially disabling neurological disorder caused by complex neurobiological mechanisms involving multiple areas and different neuronal networks in the central and peripheral nervous system. It is considered a genetically based disorder, characterized by recurrent episodes of moderate to severe headaches, typically unilateral, and frequently accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia.
It is now recognized that migraine can present with vestibular manifestations, with episodic vestibular syndrome, characterized by spontaneous vertigo and motion sickness, being the most common presentations. Recent studies have shown that migraine can present with other otoneurological symptoms such as tinnitus, hearing loss, aural fullness, ear pain, and sinus-like symptoms. A higher prevalence of migraine has also been observed in patients with other vestibulocochlear disorders, including Ménière’s disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and persistent postural perceptual dizziness.
This article offers a practical review of the current literature on vestibular migraine and its relationship with other vestibulocochlear spectrum disorders and symptoms.

Keywords: Vestibular Migraine, Migraine, Vestibular, Auditory Manifestations.