31 March,2026 02:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Alka Yagnik
In 2024, singer Alka Yagnik shocked fans after revealing she was battling a rare hearing disorder, prompting her to step away from the spotlight. Now, she has shared a health update and admitted that she is "still suffering" from the condition.
In a recent interview with NDTV, the playback singer shared a fresh update about her battle with the rare sensory neural hearing loss. The report stated that the singer was reluctant to talk about her illness, but she went on to admit that she is "still suffering" from the illness.
She revealed that due to her illness, she has not taken up any new singing assignments. "Composers approach me now and then. But I am not able to do it," Alka said in the interview.
Her voice was last heard in Imtiaz Ali's Amar Singh Chamkila, which was released in 2024, where she sang Naram Kaalja, composed by A.R. Rahman.
Earlier this year, Alka was honoured with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India. During the interview, she was asked whether she had expected the honour earlier. To this, the singer said, "Not really. Whenever it comes, it's welcome like that."
In 2024, Alka penned a lengthy note on Instagram to share that she had been diagnosed with a "rare sensorineural nerve hearing loss" due to a "sudden viral attack."
"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 docs as a rare sensorineural nerve hearing loss, due to a viral attackâ¦this sudden, major setback has caught me completely unaware," Alka wrote in the note.
At that time, she added, "As I attempt to come to terms with it, please keep me in your prayers." The singer further cautioned fellow singers against "exposure to very loud music and headphones," hoping to open up about the "perils of professional life" soon.
Alka has lent her voice to some of Bollywood's most iconic romantic and sultry songs, such as Tip Tip Barsa Paani, Aisi Dewaangi, Choli Ke Peeche, Ae Mere Humsafar, Chaand Chupa Baadal Mein, Pardesi Pardesi and Agar Tum Saath Ho.
