“Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing long-term auditory damage and improving recovery outcomes,” says Dr. Ghadge.

 

Renowned Bollywood playback singer Alka Yagnik, who has enchanted the millennial generation with her melodious voice, recently disclosed on social media that she has been diagnosed with a rare type of sensory neural nerve hearing loss due to a viral attack.

 

In an Instagram post, Yagnik wrote, “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.”

 

But what exactly is this rare hearing loss, and what are its signs and symptoms? Indianexpress.com consulted clinical experts to gain a deeper understanding of the disorder and its treatments.

 

“Sudden hearing loss, such as that experienced by Alka Yagnik, often involves a rapid decline in hearing in one ear, occurring overnight or over a few days. This loss may be partial or complete and can be accompanied by a “pop” sound, tinnitus, a feeling of fullness in the ear, dizziness, and sometimes vertigo,” explained Dr. Murarji Ghadge, consultant ENT and sleep disorder specialist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune.

 

Why Does It Occur?

 

Sudden hearing loss is relatively rare, affecting about 5-20 people per 100,000 annually. It is often idiopathic, meaning the precise cause remains unidentified in most cases.

 

“The sudden onset of sensory neural nerve hearing loss (SNHL), particularly due to a viral attack, makes it relatively rare compared to gradual forms of hearing loss. Misdiagnosis is common, leading to underreporting, and the specific viral causes of SNHL are less frequent than other causes of hearing loss,” shared Dr. Sheetal Goyal, neurologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central.

 

The causes of this condition are varied, ranging from viral infections caused by herpes simplex, measles, mumps, and varicella-zoster virus. These viruses can damage the cochlea or auditory nerve, leading to rapid hearing loss, explained Dr. Ghadge.

 

How Can You Treat It?

 

Treatment for viral-induced hearing loss typically involves high-dose corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling in the inner ear, administered orally or through intratympanic injections. “Antiviral medications might be beneficial if a viral infection is suspected, but their efficacy remains inconclusive and they are not a standard treatment,” Dr. Ghadge said.

 

For those with significant, permanent hearing loss, hearing aids or cochlear implants may be considered.

 

Spontaneous recovery occurs in about 30-65 per cent of cases within the first two weeks, with some patients seeing improvements for up to three months. Early intervention is crucial for better outcomes.

 

How Can It Be Prevented?

Preventive measures include maintaining overall health, protecting ears from loud noises, practicing good hygiene to avoid ear infections, and ensuring timely vaccinations to prevent viral infections known to cause hearing loss.

 

Dr. Goyal also recommends seeking immediate medical help if you experience sudden hearing loss or other symptoms. “Protect your ears in noisy environments and have regular hearing check-ups, especially if you have a history of ear infections or other risk factors,” she advised.

 

She further suggested avoiding self-diagnosis. “Prevent prolonged exposure to loud noises without ear protection and do not stop taking prescribed medications without consulting your doctor,” Dr. Goyal added.