In this video, Leah Buckles, a retired Army veteran and physician assistant, discusses the connection between migraines and tinnitus in veterans. She explains that tinnitus often results from noise exposure during service and can be linked to various military roles. Buckles highlights how tinnitus and migraines can influence each other, creating a cycle that complicates diagnosis and treatment. She emphasizes the importance of documenting noise exposure, tracking migraine symptoms, and consulting healthcare providers to establish service connection claims. Buckles also shares insights into the neurophysiologic mechanisms linking the conditions and offers practical advice for veterans seeking disability benefits.
In this video, Leah Buckles, a retired US Army veteran and physician assistant, discusses the relationship between migraines and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) in veterans, highlighting how tinnitus can often be a secondary condition to service-connected noise exposure. She explains that tinnitus is common among veterans due to acoustic trauma experienced during active duty, especially for those in high-noise occupations like infantry or airborne units. Buckles shares her own experience with tinnitus and emphasizes the importance of understanding noise exposure and its impact on hearing health.
She elaborates on how noise exposure varies across different military roles and how even individuals with lower noise exposure, such as supply clerks or admin staff, may still develop tinnitus. Buckles points out that the severity of noise exposure depends on occupational duties and training, and she stresses the importance of accurately documenting and explaining one’s noise exposure history when seeking service connection for tinnitus or related conditions. She also highlights her certifications in occupational hearing and audiology to lend credibility to her insights.
The core focus of the discussion is on the connection between tinnitus and migraines in veterans. Buckles notes that many veterans report their tinnitus being associated with headaches, often experiencing migraines in relation to tinnitus episodes. The relationship can be cyclical, with tinnitus triggering migraines or migraines exacerbating tinnitus. She cites that persistent tinnitus, especially as hearing declines with age, can increase the likelihood of developing migraines, and vice versa, creating a challenging cycle for affected veterans.
Buckles references scientific literature supporting the physiologic link between tinnitus and migraines, including studies showing abnormal activity in central auditory pathways and brain regions involved in attention, emotion, and memory. She discusses complex neurophysiologic mechanisms such as thalamocortical dysrhythmia, which may underlie both tinnitus and headache pathophysiology. Buckles encourages veterans to gather supporting medical evidence and consider discussing these findings with their healthcare providers to establish or strengthen service connection claims.
Finally, Buckles recommends keeping detailed migraine logs and utilizing tools like the Migraine Buddy app to track symptom patterns and triggers. She advises veterans to seek documentation and medical opinions that align with their personal history, as this can aid in securing service connection for migraines and tinnitus. She concludes by inviting questions and suggesting that future videos may cover related topics like CMP exams for headaches, emphasizing her goal to provide helpful, evidence-based guidance for veterans navigating VA disability claims.
