Alka Yagnik Suffers from Rare Hearing Loss Caused by Viral Infection: What are the Symptoms? Can It Be Cured?

Veteran singer Alka Yagnik disclosed on her Instagram post on Monday that she has been diagnosed with a “rare sensory hearing loss” after a viral infection. She wrote, “A few weeks ago, as I walked out of a flight, I suddenly felt I was not able to hear anything”.

According to experts, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) happens because of damage to the inner ear or the nerve that carries sound to the brain called the auditory nerve. Simply put, this type of hearing loss is caused by viruses directly attacking the hearing nerves, leading to inflammation. This type of hearing loss can impact the ability to hear both soft and loud sounds, and it can also distort sounds, making speech and other noises seem unclear.

The most common symptom is hearing loss in one ear, though it can occasionally affect both ears. Other symptoms include tinnitus (a buzzing sound in the ear), a feeling of fullness in the ear, and dizziness.

Meanwhile, doctors have noted an increase in cases of SNHL due to unknown reasons.

“Recently, an increase in SNHL cases has been observed without a specific underlying cause identified,” Dr Manohar Shaan, head of the ENT department, at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in Mumbai, told News18.

He said viral infections can cause SNHL by directly attacking the inner ear, damaging the immune system, or cutting off blood supply to the inner ear. Knowing the causes and risk factors are important to prevent and manage SNHL early, he cautioned patients.

What is Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

“It is influenced by the natural process of aging. Usually patients with SNHL report lack of clarity in understanding speech, or to differentiate words. It may also be accompanied with tinnitus,” said Dr Aparna Mahajan, Consultant, ENT, Amrita Hospital Faridabad.

“Sensorineural hearing loss cannot be cured, though it can be managed in ways that can address its symptoms and improve your quality of life.”

Experts believe the causes of SNHL can be different, from genetic factors to ageing, prolonged noise exposure, ototoxic medications, viral infections, head trauma and some other disorders.

“This condition is different from temporary hearing changes after deboarding an airplane, which is caused by barotrauma, resulting from rapid air pressure changes affecting the eustachian tube’s ability to equalise pressure in the middle ear,” Dr Shaan explained.

Generally, noise-induced hearing loss arises from extended exposure to loud sounds, and certain medicines are toxic to inner ear structures. Also, viral infections, such as measles and mumps, can inflame and damage the inner ear or auditory nerve.

“The most common symptoms are a gradual or sudden decrease in hearing, difficulty understanding speech, tinnitus, and trouble hearing high-pitched sounds,” Shaan said.

Dr Atri Banerjee from the ENT department at Narayana Health RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, West Bengal, pointed out that unlike conductive hearing loss, which is often caused by blockages or damage to the outer or middle ear, SNHL typically involves problems in the auditory nerve or the hair cells in the cochlea. “These hair cells are essential for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sound. When these cells are damaged or die, the ability to hear can be significantly impaired.”

This Hearing Loss Could be Irreversible

While there are many causes behind the SNHL condition, Banerjee said “in some rare cases, the condition can develop suddenly and without a clear cause, as appears to be the case with Yagnik.”

Dr Neha Sethi, senior consultant, ENT at Dharamshila Narayana Hospital Delhi, explained that “unlike conductive hearing loss that might be treated medically or surgically, SNHL is often irreversible.”

“Management usually involves the use of hearing aids that amplify sound or cochlear implants for more severe cases, which electronically stimulate the cochlear nerve.”

Sethi said that “for a playback singer like Alka Yagnik, whose career is deeply tied to auditory precision, this diagnosis can be particularly challenging.”

Precautions One Must Take

According to Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, one must try to avoid exposure to viral infection and take the annual flu vaccine. He also suggests avoiding exposure to loud noise and the use of headphones or earphones for a long duration, especially at high volumes.

“Many patients recover on their own in the first few days. Patients who receive early treatment with steroids also recover well. A few patients are, however, left with permanent or long-term hearing loss,” Kumar from Apollo Hospital said.