In this original article, published in February 2026 in the journal *Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery* by a research group at the University of California, Irvine, the authors demonstrated a high prevalence of migraine features in patients with sudden sensorineural deafness (SSSN) (46% meeting ICHD-3 criteria; up to 69% meeting full or partial criteria), with previous normal hearing, concordant laterality between headache and hearing loss, hyperacusis, otalgia and motion sickness standing out as clinical predictors.
The strong correlation between the side affected by hearing loss and the side affected by migraine suggests a shared pathophysiological mechanism between the two conditions, possibly of a vascular and/or neurogenic nature. These findings reinforce the concept of “otological migraine” and support the importance of systematically screening for migraine symptoms in patients with SSSN, with potential therapeutic implications and an impact on personalised care.
