Sensorineural nerve hearing loss (SNHL) is a type of hearing impairment caused by damage to the inner ear or the nerve pathways that transmit sound signals to the brain. It can result from various factors including viral infections, prolonged exposure to loud noises, genetic predisposition, and aging processes.
Alka Yagnik’s Diagnosis and Caution
Bollywood playback singer Alka Yagnik recently disclosed her diagnosis of sensorineural nerve hearing loss following a viral attack. She emphasized the importance of cautioning against exposure to very loud music and headphone use to prevent such conditions.
Causes of Sensorineural Nerve Hearing Loss
SNHL can occur due to several factors:
- Viral Infections: Viruses can directly invade the cochlea or cause immune-mediated damage.
- Loud Noise Exposure: Prolonged exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels can damage the cochlear hairs responsible for transmitting sound signals.
- Aging: Natural aging processes can also lead to deterioration of inner ear hair cells.
- Genetic Factors: Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to SNHL.
- Other Causes: Conditions such as meningitis, autoimmune diseases, head injuries, and certain medications can contribute to SNHL.
Symptoms and Effects
Symptoms of SNHL may include difficulty understanding speech, muffled sounds, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and balance issues. The severity can range from mild to complete hearing loss, depending on the extent of damage.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If symptoms of SNHL are noticed, consultation with an audiologist is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. While SNHL is often permanent, treatment options such as medications, hearing aids, and cochlear implants can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What type of hearing loss did Alka Yagnik recently disclose she was diagnosed with?
- A) Conductive hearing loss
- B) Mixed hearing loss
- C) Sensorineural nerve hearing loss
- D) Noise-induced hearing loss
Answer: C) Sensorineural nerve hearing loss
- What precaution did Alka Yagnik emphasize in her statement regarding hearing health?
- A) Avoiding exposure to loud noises
- B) Regular use of hearing aids
- C) Using earplugs in noisy environments
- D) Limiting headphone use and exposure to very loud music
Answer: D) Limiting headphone use and exposure to very loud music
- What is the main cause of sensorineural nerve hearing loss resulting from viral infections?
- A) Direct invasion of the cochlea
- B) Inner ear trauma
- C) Genetic predisposition
- D) Meningitis complications
Answer: A) Direct invasion of the cochlea
- Which of the following is a symptom commonly associated with sensorineural nerve hearing loss?
- A) Watery discharge from the ear
- B) Difficulty hearing low-pitched sounds
- C) Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- D) Outer ear pain
Answer: C) Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- What treatment option is mentioned as potentially helpful for managing symptoms of sensorineural nerve hearing loss?
- A) Antibiotics
- B) Cochlear implants
- C) Anti-inflammatory drugs
- D) External ear canal cleaning
Answer: B) Cochlear implants