What's Sensorineural Nerve Hearing Loss, the rare condition diagnosed in Alka Yagnik? Symptoms, causes, treatment

Famous Bollywood singer Alka Yagnik recently shared that she has been diagnosed with a rare condition known as sensorineural nerve hearing loss. According to her post, the condition was triggered by a viral infection. In a heartfelt message to her fans and well-wishers, Alka Yagnik stated, "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’m missing in action. 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 unaware."

She also took the opportunity to caution her fans and colleagues about the potential risks associated with prolonged exposure to loud music and headphones, emphasizing the importance of protecting one's hearing.

What's Rare Sensorineural Nerve Hearing Loss?

Rare sensorineural nerve hearing loss (SNHL) is characterized by damage to the inner ear or the nerve pathways connecting the ear to the brain. This condition, termed 'rare' as it accounts for only 5-15% of all hearing loss cases, can result from various factors such as loud noise exposure, infections, autoimmune diseases, and trauma.

It can happen in any age group. It may happen due to loud sound exposure, infection, autoimmune disease, neurological, vascular disease, trauma or some drugs and in some cases due to tumor."

Causes of Rare Sensorineural Nerve Hearing Loss

The causes of rare SNHL can be congenital or acquired later in life. Congenital cases may stem from genetic factors or complications during pregnancy, while acquired cases can result from:
Noise Exposure: Prolonged exposure to loud noise, also known as noise-induced hearing loss.
Ageing: Natural changes in the inner ear as individuals grow older.
Infections and Diseases: Such as meningitis, mumps, measles, and autoimmune conditions like Meniere's disease.
Trauma: Head injuries affecting the auditory nerve.
Ototoxic Medications: Certain drugs that can damage inner ear hair cells.

Rare Sensorineural Nerve Hearing Loss: Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms of rare SNHL include difficulty understanding speech, muffled sounds, ringing in the ears, difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, and balance issues. While the condition is usually irreversible, various treatments such as medications, cochlear implants, hearing aids, and assistive listening devices can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.