What Is Sensorineural Deafness? Understanding the Condition Alka Yagnik Is Diagnosed With

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th June. National Award-winning singer Alka Yagnik is battling sensorineural deafness, a condition characterized by difficulty hearing faint sounds, understanding speech clearly, or differentiating between various sounds. In a recent Instagram post, the 58-year-old recounted the alarming moment she lost her hearing after a routine flight. “As I walked out of a flight, I suddenly felt I was not able to hear anything,” she wrote.

Yagnik also warned her “fans and young colleagues” about the dangers of exposure to very loud music and prolonged use of headphones.

What is Sensorineural Deafness?

Sensorineural deafness, also known as sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the nerve pathways from the ear to the brain. According to Healthline, this condition is usually permanent. While treatments such as hearing aids or cochlear implants can help manage it, the effectiveness depends on the severity of the condition.

Causes of Sensorineural Deafness:

Ageing: The inner ear can wear out over time, leading to gradual hearing loss. About one-third of people between the ages of 65 and 74 experience some hearing difficulties. By age 75, about half of people have hearing problems.

Noise Exposure: Exposure to loud noises, such as gunfire or loud concerts, can damage the tiny hair cells in the ear or the nerve that carries sound to the brain, leading to SNHL.

Genetic Factors: Some individuals are born with SNHL due to inherited genes or infections their mothers had during pregnancy, such as rubella or cytomegalovirus. Birth complications, like insufficient oxygen, can also cause SNHL.

Illnesses and Infections: Viruses or bacteria, like measles or meningitis, can damage the inner ear and cause hearing loss. Autoimmune disorders, where the body’s defenses attack itself, can also harm hearing.

Medications: Certain medications, particularly those used for cancer treatment or severe infections, can have side effects that damage parts of the ear responsible for hearing.

Head Trauma: Physical trauma to the head or skull fractures can damage the auditory nerve or the inner ear, leading to SNHL.