Alka Yagnik’s hearing disorder: How trauma, post-viral infection can lead to hearing loss

Hyderabad: The revelation of renowned singer Alka Yagnik losing her hearing ability all of a sudden has raised concern among many. Trauma and post-viral infections can be the primary reasons for hearing loss while listening to loud music and prolonged use of poor-quality headphones can lead to temporary hearing loss.

Damage to the inner ear, damage to hair cells, tumours in the hearing nerve of the brain, and exposure to loud noise in the industry are some ways to lose hearing ability.

Experts advise the affected to seek immediate medical attention to revive their hearing ability since a delayed treatment may reduce the probability of revival.

Types of hearing losses

There are two types of hearing loss: conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when the sounds cannot get into the inner ear through the outer and middle ear. Fluids present in the middle ear, ear infection (Otitis Media), poor eustachian tube function and a hole in the eardrum can lead to this type of hearing loss.

The damage to hair cells in the inner ear can result in sensorineural hearing loss.

Dr Srinivas Kishore S, director and head of Otolaryngology (ENT) at AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad said, “The damaged hair cells can result in the inability to convert the sound energy into electrical energy which the brain understands is the reason for the hearing loss”.

Major reasons for hearing loss

Trauma from injuries, loud sounds and post-viral infections are major reasons for hearing loss.

“Neurotropic viruses can affect the nerves and damage the hair cells. This damage can be progressive and sudden. The hearing capacity reduces by 30 per cent over a period of three days. The percentage possibility of revival of the hearing capacity by the human body itself is around 50 per cent,” Dr Srinivas said.

However, people with comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension and kidney ailments have lesser chances of reviving their hearing ability.

Early medical intervention can save hearing ability

The doctors recommend that the affected people, particularly those with comorbidities, seek medical help at the earliest to increase the possibility of getting their hearing ability back

The two types of medications followed for recovering hearing ability are oral medicines and intratympanic therapy.

“Oral medications are initially provided to patients without comorbidities to check the positive outcomes. If there is no sign of recovery in the audiogram, intratympanic therapy, a slightly painful process, in which the injection is directly applied to the middle ear,” Dr Srinivas said.

The second option is adopted for patients with diabetes, since the steroids given to patients may increase their diabetes levels.

Risk of losing hearing permanently

There are certain situations when the hearing ability may not be recovered despite seeking treatment. People with older age are less likely to revive their ability to hear.

“People with hearing loss and vertigo have less chance of getting their hearing ability back. The possibility for recovery with even steroids is 50 per cent less than normal. Another factor is the flat audiogram across all frequencies,” Dr Srinivas said.

Vertigo is dizziness when an individual feels the surroundings are spinning, which is caused by an ailment in the inner ear, migraine and infection.

Meniere’s Syndrome, a condition when the ear gets fluid imbalance can also affect the recovery process. People with tumours in the brain nerves can hardly retrieve their hearing ability. The doctors advise an MRI when there is no positive trend in the audiogram in affected patients.

Exposure to loud music/noise must be controlled

Not all individuals listening to loud music and using earphones lose their hearing ability. Even if there is an incident of hearing loss, the possibility of recovery is extremely high. The usage of good quality headphones without many tones could prevent hearing loss.

Industrial workers exposed to noises of 80 db continuously for eight hours a day and policemen working on the roads receiving heavy honking are highly prone to lose their hearing ability. Experts recommend the use of ear masks to prevent hearing loss.

Individuals suffering from hearing loss are advised to seek immediate medical attention since delayed treatment could reduce the revival possibility.

Dr Srinivas said, “Modern medicines and technologies help people in getting the hearing ability back. There is no need for panic, but to exercise caution and get treated at the earliest.”