Renowned singer Alka Yagnik has disclosed her battle with a condition called sensorineural deafness which was caused by a viral attack. The popular singer revealed she was not able to hear anything a few weeks ago, as she walked out of a flight. "I suddenly felt I was not able to hear anything," Yagnik wrote in an Instagram post addressed to her "fans, friends, followers and well wishers."
She continued to share her future diagnosis, writing, “It has been diagnosed by my docs as a rare sensory neural nerve hearing loss, due to a viral attack…This sudden, major setback has caught me completely unawares. As I attempt to come to terms with it, please keep me in your prayers.”
She added a word of caution as well about the dangers associated with listening to loud music. "I would add a word of caution regarding exposure to very loud music and headphones. One day, I wish to share the health perils of my professional life," she wrote.
Sensorineural deafness occurs due to damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which transmits sound signals from the ear to the brain. This type of hearing loss can be particularly alarming as it may result from viral infections, a fact underscored by the recent flu season.
Every year, the flu season has certain dominant characteristics. This year, it’s hearing loss, according to medical experts. Doctors advise it can be cured if you report it to an ENT specialist within a week, or preferably 48 hours. “Damage could be permanent if you don’t,” doctors warn.
Colleagues and friends of the two-time National Award winning actor wished her a speedy recovery.
Sonu Nigam commented, "I knew something was not right. I'll see you when I get back. God speed your recovery."
Singer Ila Arun wrote, "So sorry to hear this Dearest Alka. I saw your picture and reacted, but then I read the caption. It's heartbreaking, but with blessings and today's best doctors, you will be fine. Soon we will hear your sweet voice again. Love you always, take care."
Poonam Dhillon wrote, "So much love for you and so many duas and blessings. You will receive all the power of love to heal and be your beautiful, healthy self soon. Love you."
What is Sensorineural Deafness?
Sensorineural deafness, is a form hearing loss which originates in the inner ear or the auditory nerve and poses significant challenges in communication and quality of life.
The disease stems from a variety of sources, with the most common being age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis. This natural degeneration typically begins around the age of 60, affecting the delicate hair cells in the cochlea responsible for translating sound waves into neural signals.
Exposure to loud noises is another prevalent cause, damaging these hair cells irreparably. Occupations in noisy environments, such as construction or music industries, often bear the brunt of this auditory wear and tear.
Hereditary sensorineural deafness can manifest at birth or develop gradually over time. Additionally, certain illnesses and medical conditions, such as Meniere's disease, tumours like acoustic neuromas, and infections like meningitis and flu can lead to sensorineural hearing loss.
Symptoms
The onset of sensorineural deafness is often gradual, making early detection challenging. Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty in Hearing: Particularly in noisy environments, affected individuals struggle to follow conversations.
- Tinnitus: A persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears.
- Distorted Sounds: Normal sounds may seem muffled or unclear.
- Difficulty in High-Frequency Hearing: Sounds like birds chirping or children’s voices are often the first to become inaudible.
- Speech Challenges: Difficulty understanding speech, especially when multiple people are talking.
Treatment
While sensorineural deafness is often irreversible, various treatment options exist to manage and mitigate its effects. Hearing aids are the most common solution, amplifying sound to make it more accessible. Modern digital hearing aids offer advanced features, such as noise reduction and connectivity with other devices.
Cochlear implants provide an alternative for individuals with severe hearing loss. These electronic devices bypass damaged hair cells, directly stimulating the auditory nerve to produce a sense of sound.
Assistive listening devices and speech-reading strategies can also help.
Auditory training and speech therapy also can help individuals adapt to their hearing loss, improving their ability to understand speech and communicate better.
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