In a heartfelt social media post, she shared a photo of herself and opened up about her sudden hearing loss, following a viral fever. The singer also warned people on the use of headphones, loud music.
Published Jun 19, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 19, 2024 | 12:13 PM
Singer Alka Yagnik has been diagnosed with a rare sensory hearing loss. (Instagram)
Imagine stepping off a flight, expecting the usual hustle and bustle of the airport, only to realise you can’t hear a thing. This was the shocking reality that renowned playback singer Alka Yagnik faced.
In a heartfelt social media post on Monday, 17 June, she shared a photo of herself and opened up about her sudden hearing loss, asking for support and understanding from her fans.
She wrote, “To all my fans, friends, followers and well-wishers. A few weeks ago, as I walked out of a flight, I suddenly felt I was not able to hear anything. Having mustered some courage in the weeks following the episode, I want to break my silence now for all my friends and well wishers who have been asking me why I am missing in action.”
Continuing her post, Alka explained, “It has been diagnosed by my docs as rare sensory neural nerve hearing loss, due to a viral attack… This sudden, major setback has caught me completely unaware. As I attempt to come to terms with it, please keep me in your prayers.”
She also cautioned her fans about the dangers of exposure to loud music and headphones, saying, “For my fans and young colleagues, 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. With all your love, I hope to come back to you soon. Your support and understanding will mean the world to me in this critical hour.”
Alka Yagnik’s announcement brings attention to a condition that can affect anyone, regardless of their profession or lifestyle. Hearing loss can be a distressing experience, significantly impacting one’s quality of life.
Doctors South First spoke to agreed that in rare cases a viral fever can cause sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL), apparently a rapid-onset condition, that often occurs without warning.
Dr Achyuth Panuganti, Head and Neck Oncologist, ENT at Dr Achyuth’s ENT and Skull Base Clinic in Secunderabad explained, “Sudden Sensory Neural Hearing Loss occurs where after an attack of viral fever, the hearing nerve gets affected, and there is sudden hearing loss.”
He continued, “Usually, any deafness that follows a viral fever within three days is considered as this,” adding that SSNHL can result from various causes, including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and other underlying health conditions.
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Doctors explain that the symptoms of SSNHL can include a sudden decrease in hearing in one ear, a feeling of fullness in the ear, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and sometimes dizziness.
Prompt medical treatment is crucial, as early intervention with rigorous medications such as steroids, can significantly improve the chances of recovering lost hearing.
It is important to seek medical attention immediately if sudden hearing loss occurs after a viral infection to maximize the potential for recovery.
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, hearing tests, and imaging studies like MRI to rule out other potential causes such as tumours or structural abnormalities.
Dr Santosh Shivaswamy, ENT and head and neck surgeon at the Manipal Hospital, Hebbal further explained, “SNHL is also sometimes associated with some blocks in the blood flow.”
Speaking of the course of action, Dr Santosh said, “Before starting the treatment, we would need to get an audiogram or hearing test to ascertain what is the loss and subsequently rule out any other pathology by doing an MRI of the brain and the temporal bone.”
“Once no obvious pathology is identified, then we treat the patient with steroids that can be administered either in the form of tablets injections or placing the steroids directly into the inner ear. With these kinds of modalities, there is a chance that hearing can improve, additionally, vitamin supplements like B12, have also known to have benefits to improve the hearing.”
“Post-treatment, if the hearing is not recovered in a satisfactory manner, then the patient is advised to go for a hearing aid, which could amplify the sound and the patient could perceive the sound,” he further advised.
In her post Alka Yagnik also warned people to be careful of using headphones and exposure to loud music. Doctors agree with this and also urge people to heed the warning.
Explaining another reason for sudden hearing loss, Dr Panuganti said the condition is called Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), which occurs due to prolonged exposure to loud noises.
Dr Panuganti said, “NIHL can occur when people are constantly exposed to loud sounds often more than 80dB for 4-8 hours regularly tend to lose hearing of higher frequencies and gradually become deaf at a young age.”
This type of hearing loss is common among factory workers, musicians, and individuals frequently exposed to loud environments without adequate ear protection.
NIHL develops gradually, often unnoticed until significant damage has occurred.
Dr Mohan G, ENT specialist from Bengaluru said, the cochlea contains tiny hairs called stereocilia, which convert sound wave vibrations into neural signals transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve.
“These hair are delicate and can be damaged when exposed to sounds louder than 85 decibels. The impact of this damage usually isn’t noticeable until 30% to 50% of the hair is affected. The resulting hearing loss can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause,” he said.
Doctors said that preventive measures include using ear protection, limiting exposure to loud sounds, and undergoing regular hearing check-ups.
Dr Panuganti highlights that SSNHL can be treated with aggressive management, particularly with steroids. Steroids help reduce inflammation and swelling in the inner ear, potentially restoring hearing if administered promptly.
The treatment is most effective when started within two weeks of the onset of symptoms.
In addition to steroids, treatment may include antiviral medications, vasodilators, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, depending on the underlying cause and severity of the hearing loss.
Hearing aids or cochlear implants may be considered for individuals with significant or permanent hearing loss.
Doctors insisted that sudden hearing loss, whether due to prolonged exposure to loud noises or a sudden onset following a viral infection, requires prompt attention and appropriate treatment.
While NIHL is largely preventable through protective measures and lifestyle changes, SSNHL necessitates immediate medical intervention for the best possible outcome.
Dr Sunitha Madhavan, Senior Consultant, ENT and Otorhinolaryngologist at Kinder Hospital, termed sensory neural hearing loss an emergency condition. “It is defined as a hearing loss of 30 dB or more, for at least three contiguous audiometric frequencies that develop over 72 hours or less,” she told South First.
A majority of cases occur as idiopathic, meaning without any known causes. In five-20 percent of the total cases, there are certain causes like autoimmune inner-ear disease, vascular injury of the cochlea, intracochlear membrane rupture, or viral infections such as influenza, mumps, rubella, Cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster, herpes simplex, or zoster.
Treatment protocol includes taking the history, whether it was a sudden onset like waking up with a sudden ear block. One-sided or unilateral is common. When it is both-sided, the doctor should consider autoimmune and ototoxicity.
Tinnitus or buzzing inside the ear are also symptoms apart from hearing loss. Systemic conditions like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease should be probed since SSNHL could be the first manifestation.
The patient’s history of trauma, exposure to loud sounds, flying, and diving ( barotrauma), too, should be investigated.
Typical investigation methods involve audiometry, radiological and blood investigation, the doctor said.
Treatment depends on the etiology, Dr Madhavan said. Anti-inflammatory like steroids, antiviral, or vasodilator hyperbaric oxygen therapy, are normally adopted.
Early recognition and prompt treatment will improve recovery from hearing loss and improve the quality of life, she added.
Alka Yagnik’s experience highlights the importance of awareness and early treatment, offering hope to those affected by similar conditions.
(Edited by Shauqueen Mizaj)
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