It’s hard to believe that the iconic singer Alka Yagnik, who is surrounded by music, is experiencing hearing loss. On her social media, she shared that she has sensorineural deafness, saying, “It has been diagnosed by my doctors as a 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.”
What is Sensorineural Deafness
Sensorineural deafness is hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve that connects the ear to the brain. According to Dr. Kalpana Nagpal, a Senior Consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, It may be due to viral infections. This condition has been more common this flu season. According to her, one should seek an ENT specialist quickly, ideally within 48 hours of symptoms because prompt treatment can prevent permanent damage.
Why Sensorineural Deafness is Different?
The ear is made up of three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate, which moves three small bones in the middle ear. These bones send the sound to the cochlea in the inner ear, which is filled with fluid and lined with tiny hairs. These hairs convert sound vibrations into electrical signals sent to the brain. External or middle ear damage affects the eardrum or bones and is often treatable. However, sensorineural deafness, caused by inner ear damage, can be harder to treat if it is not taken care of quickly, as the inner ear’s hair cells and stem cells can’t repair themselves fast enough.
Causes, Signs, and Symptoms
In Alka Yagnik’s case, her hearing loss was due to a viral infection. The other possible reasons for this can be meningitis, mumps, measles, head injuries, or prolonged exposure to loud noises. There is a significant reduction in hearing, struggling to understand speech, and possibly ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears. If you experience sudden hearing loss or ear numbness, you must see a doctor immediately.
Treatment and Prevention
For prevention, early treatment is necessary within a week. Viral infections can cause swelling in the inner ear and salivary glands. So steroid injections in the eardrum are taken to reduce swelling and improve hearing. If the damage is permanent, options like hearing aids or cochlear implants can help amplify sound. To prevent hearing loss, get an annual flu vaccine, wear masks in public places, and use earplugs to protect against loud noises.
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