Assessment of Noise Sensitivity in Migraine Patients

Abstract

Background: Noise and light sensitivities are typical symptoms for migraine attacktype headaches. Sometimes, these sensitivities can be observed without these attacks as well. The purpose of this study was to analyze sensitivity to noise in migraine patients. Method: In the study, 30 patients with no hearing loss who were being followed-up for their migraine illness, and 30 patients with similar demographic characteristics who did not have migraine, were included. The patients were given a hearing test and their hearing thresholds were determined. All of the patients were administered the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale. The demographic data and noise sensitivity levels of the 2 groups were compared. Result: The mean score on the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale was observed as 89.47 +/- 14.66 in the group without migraine, and as 93.34 +/- 12.61 in the group with migraine. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the mean scale scores of 2 groups, the mean result of migraine group was found higher in migraine group. When 2 groups were compared with respect to the noise-sensitivity subgroup, which has 99 and higher scores, the migraine group was found to be statistically different from control group. Conclusion: It was observed in this study that migraine patients experience noise sensitivity even without acute attacks. It is considered that preliminary information can be obtained about how the auditory and sensory pathways are affected in migraine patients, by using scales, similar to the noise sensitivity scale.