Temporal and suprathreshold central auditory skills in individuals with migraine: a comparative study based on clinical features

Objective Previous studies evaluating central auditory processing in migraine have used conventional tests, but the findings have remained inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the central auditory abilities of individuals with migraine using the Intensity Discrimination Test (IDT), Frequency Discrimination Test (FDT), Modulation Detection Test (MDT), and Temporal Fine Structure – Adaptive Frequency (TFS-AF) test, and to compare the results with those of healthy controls.Methods The study comprised 40 migraine sufferers and 30 healthy people (control group). The 24-hour Migraine Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Migraine Disability Assessment were given, and migraine features were noted. Temporal auditory processing was assessed using the TFS-AF and MDT, whereas suprathreshold frequency and intensity discrimination abilities were evaluated using the FDT and IDT.Results The migraine group exhibited significantly lower TFS-AF thresholds and significantly higher FDT thresholds compared with the control group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, MDT and IDT thresholds did not significantly differ across the groups (p > 0.05). Aura and phonophobia status had no significant effect on TFS-AF, MDT, IDT, or FDT performance (p > 0.05). Moderate correlations were observed between migraine severity and both FDT and MDT thresholds, as well as between attack frequency and TFS-AF thresholds (p < 0.05).Conclusion Migraine was found to impair CAP abilities, particularly TFS, while aura and phonophobia had no significant effect. Reduced TFS ability in individuals with migraine may lead to difficulties in understanding speech in noisy environments and problems with sound localization. Early auditory rehabilitation may help improve CAP abilities and quality of life in these individuals.