Playback singer Alka Yagnik diagnosed with rare sensory hearing loss

Renowned Bollywood playback singer Alka Yagnik recently revealed her diagnosis of a rare hearing disorder, raising awareness and cautioning her fans about the dangers of loud music. 

The singer shared the news on her Instagram account, talking about her sudden and alarming experience. 

Yagnik, known for singing numerous hit Bollywood songs, described the incident that led to her diagnosis. 

“A few weeks ago, as I walked out of a flight, I suddenly felt like I was not able to hear anything,” she said. The unsettling experience prompted her to seek medical attention, leading to the diagnosis of rare sensorineural nerve hearing loss (SNHL).

“To all my fans, friends, followers, and well-wishers. 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 doctors as a rare sensory neural nerve hearing loss, due to a viral attack (sic),” she wrote on her socials.

Yagnik's announcement has sparked an outpouring of support from her colleagues and fans. In her message, she expressed her shock and the difficulty of coming to terms with the diagnosis, also issuing a word of caution to her fans and younger colleagues in the music industry: “For my fans and young colleagues, I would add a word of caution regarding exposure to very loud music and headphones.” 

The singer emphasised the importance of taking care of one's hearing health, highlighting the risks associated with prolonged exposure to loud music. 

“One day, I wish to share the health perils of my professional life. With all your love and support, I am hoping to recalibrate my life and come back to you soon. Your support and understanding will mean the world to me in this critical hour,” she added.

Alka Yagnik's candid revelation about her health serves as a reminder of the often overlooked health risks in the entertainment industry, particularly for musicians who are frequently exposed to high decibel sound levels. 

Tips for taking care of hearing health

• Avoid prolonged exposure to loud sounds such as music concerts, heavy traffic, and noisy machinery. Use ear protection if you cannot avoid these environments.

• Invest in noise-cancelling headphones to reduce ambient noise, allowing you to listen to music or other audio at lower volumes.

• Follow the 60/60 rule. When using headphones, listen at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time.

• Give your ears rest by taking regular breaks from listening to music or other audio, especially through headphones.

• Keep the volume at a reasonable level when watching TV, listening to music, or using earbuds. If someone next to you can hear your music, it’s too loud.

• Wear earplugs or earmuffs in noisy environments like concerts, construction sites, or while using power tools.

• Have your hearing tested regularly, especially if you are exposed to loud environments frequently or notice any changes in your hearing.

• Never use cotton swabs, bobby pins, or other objects to clean your ears. This can cause damage to the ear canal and eardrum.

• Whenever possible, distance yourself from sources of loud noise. Moving away from the noise can significantly reduce its impact on your ears.

• Use ear drops or seek professional help to remove earwax buildup rather than trying to clean it yourself.

• After swimming or showering, dry your ears gently. Excess moisture can lead to ear infections, which can affect your hearing.

• Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can negatively affect your hearing health.

• Regular exercise improves blood flow to all parts of your body, including your ears, helping to maintain good hearing health.

• High stress and anxiety levels can contribute to tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hearing loss. Practice stress management techniques like meditation and deep breathing.

• Some medications can affect hearing. Always consult your doctor about the potential side effects of medications you are taking.
  

Disability and hearing loss can happen to anyone at any time, even with the best care for one's health. This is why we need to be proactive in ensuring accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. 

By making our spaces and resources accessible to everyone, we create an inclusive environment that benefits all members of our community.

Importance of teaching sign language

Yagnik’s acquired hearing loss brings to light the importance of teaching sign language to everyone from a young age. 

Sign language is not only essential for communication with D/ deaf folx and people with hearing impairments, but it also provides a vital communication tool for anyone who may experience hearing loss or other disabilities later in life. 

Learning sign language fosters inclusivity and ensures that communication barriers can be overcome, making society more accessible and empathetic.

Teaching sign language from a young age ensures that more people can communicate effectively with those who are D/ deaf or hard of hearing (HoH), promoting a more inclusive society. 

Additionally, it provides a critical skill that can be invaluable if one ever experiences hearing loss or other disabilities, ensuring that they can still communicate and engage with the world around them.

Tips for including people experiencing hearing loss: 

• Speak clearly and at a normal pace. Avoid shouting or exaggerating your mouth movements.

• Face the person when speaking to them, ensuring they can see your lips and facial expressions, which can aid in understanding.

• Reduce or eliminate background noise when having conversations to make it easier for the person with hearing loss to focus on the speaker.

• Utilise devices such as hearing aids to enhance sound quality for individuals with hearing loss.

• Offer written summaries or notes for meetings, presentations, and important conversations to ensure that the information is accessible.

• Familiarise yourself with basic sign language phrases to facilitate communication and demonstrate inclusivity.

• Incorporate visual aids like slides, charts, and videos with captions during presentations and meetings.

• Show patience and understanding if the person asks for repetition or clarification. Avoid showing frustration.

• Arrange seating in a circular or U-shaped pattern during meetings to ensure everyone can see each other and participate fully.

• Foster an environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing their communication preferences and needs.

• Use real-time captioning services for events, meetings, and webinars to make spoken content accessible to everyone.

• Complement your speech with appropriate gestures and body language to convey your message more effectively.
  

• Offer training sessions for employees and team members to raise awareness about hearing loss and teach effective communication strategies.

• Respect the individual’s privacy and confidentiality regarding their hearing loss and any assistive devices they use.

• Ensure social activities and gatherings are inclusive by choosing venues with good acoustics and considering the needs of individuals with hearing loss.

• Regularly ask individuals with hearing loss for feedback on how you can improve inclusivity and communication in your interactions and environments.