Sharing My Experience with Alka Yagnik

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Who knew I'd be sharing this unexpected health hurdle with a Bollywood celebrity? Looks like even Bollywood stars face similar challenges sometimes. Here's to hoping we both get through this soon!

Photo Credit: Instagram

What is the rare sensorineural deafness that singer Alka Yagnik has been diagnosed with?

Alka Yagnik is a prominent Indian playback singer of 90s era Bollywood. She has received several accolades, including two National Film Awards, two Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards and a record seven Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer from a record of thirty-six nominations.

My Encounter

About 4.5 months back I too had encountered a similar sudden hearing loss. My experience along with the line of treatment is recounted here: Hearing Only What You Want to Hear!

After completing the steroid treatment of two weeks, I got an MRI scan of my brain on 21-02-2024 with contrast dye used. On the whole the scanning took about an hour. The contrast dye was injected during the last fifteen minutes of the scanning. 

The test report did not show anything abnormal. I got the audiometry tests done again. There was no improvement in my hearing. As a last resort, the doctor recommended a series of four injections into my inner ear. Two injections will be administered on consecutive days, followed by a two-week pause, and then the final two injections will be given. 

The low success rate coupled with the fact that the injection involved puncturing my eardrum made me hesitant to proceed with this treatment. I chose to live with my partial hearing loss and explore alternative avenues like yoga (since I have been a practitioner of yoga for many years), keeping hope for potential improvement alive. 

Yoga Therapy

Alka, while I can't offer medical advice, I can share my experience. It takes time, but I think eventually you will be able to recover some hearing loss. Daily yoga practice, particularly BHRAMARI PRANAYAMA, is currently helping me a lot in my journey. Also known as Bee Breath, this breathing exercise involves humming while exhaling to create an echo in the ears. The humming sound may help with tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, and stimulate hair cells in the skull to improve hearing. There are also other associated yoga exercises that one can follow.

So please don't stop singing, in despair.  Keep the music flowing with those masterful breathing techniques that have always fueled your performances and captivated your audiences for years. 

Just like the gentle hum of Bhramari Pranayama gradually fills the ears, Alka, you may find your own voice returning slowly to your ears. With each breath, listen for the familiar vibrations that will guide your beautiful voice back. 

The music world needs your attractive voice to return soon.

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 20, 2024 at 3:15 PM

    Great and timely advice, Unni. It should prove immensely beneficial for Alka Yagnik and several others

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. N T UnnikrishnanJune 29, 2024 at 9:03 AM

      Thank you. Your name is shown as anonymous. Wish you wrote your name at the end of the comment.

      Delete

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