Alka Yagnik Seen in a Wheelchair After Padma Bhushan Honour: Everything To Know About Singer’s Rare Hearing Condition
Veteran playback singer Alka Yagnik was conferred with India's third-highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Her appearance in a wheelchair during the ceremony sparked widespread fan concern, which she later addressed by clarifying that her two-year absence from public life is due to her ongoing battle with a rare form of sensorineural hearing loss
Celebrated Indian playback singer Alka Yagnik made a rare public appearance on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, to accept the prestigious Padma Bhushan award at Rashtrapati Bhavan. While the event marked a major milestone in her four-decade career, it also sparked widespread concern among fans after videos surfaced showing the 60-year-old artist being assisted in a wheelchair. Yagnik later took to social media to clarify her health status, opening up about her ongoing battle with a severe and rare hearing disorder that has kept her away from the public eye for nearly two years. Alka Yagnik’s Rare Appearance at Padma Bhushan Ceremony Sparks Health Concerns Amid Hearing Loss; Singer Touches PM Modi’s Feet at Ceremony (Watch Video).
Alka Yagnik Conferred with Padma Bhushan
President Droupadi Murmu presented Yagnik with the Padma Bhushan—India's third-highest civilian honour during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony in New Delhi. The award recognises her extensive and legendary contribution to Indian cinema, where she has lent her voice to thousands of iconic songs across multiple languages.
Dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, attended the event. Despite her health struggles, Yagnik took the stage to receive the honour and later shared an emotional message on Instagram, dedicating the award to her listeners who have supported her through both the highs and lows of her journey.
Alka Yagnik Shares Hearyfelt Message After Receiving Padma Bhushan Honour
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Alka Yagnik's Wheelchair Appearance Sparks Fan Concern
Following the ceremony, a viral video showing Yagnik being assisted outside the venue in a wheelchair prompted a wave of concern and well-wishes from fans and colleagues alike. Industry peers, including singers Shaan and Kumar Sanu, publicly posted messages wishing her a smooth recovery.
Alka Yagnik's Wheelchair Video Sparks Concern
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Addressing the public concern on June 24, Yagnik explained that she has deliberately stayed away from the spotlight and skipped public appearances over the last two years to focus on her health. She noted that attending the ceremony was a significant step as she is slowly "finding her way back" into public life.
Understanding Sensorineural Hearing Loss
The primary health challenge keeping Yagnik away from the recording studio is sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Yagnik first revealed her diagnosis two years ago, describing an incident where she suddenly lost her ability to hear after stepping off a flight. SNHL is the most common form of permanent hearing impairment. It occurs when there is direct damage to the inner ear's delicate structures, specifically the microscopic hair cells inside the cochlea, or to the auditory nerve pathway that transmits sound signals from the ear to the brain.
Because these specialised hair cells cannot regenerate on their own once destroyed, the resulting hearing loss is often long-lasting and difficult to reverse.
Causes and Symptoms of SNHL
Medical experts categorise sensorineural hearing loss into congenital (present at birth) and acquired forms. While age-related degeneration and prolonged exposure to loud noise are the most frequent causes of acquired SNHL, the condition can also be triggered abruptly by head trauma, autoimmune conditions, or sudden viral infections. In Yagnik’s case, physicians diagnosed the condition as a rare manifestation brought on by a severe viral attack that directly targeted her auditory system.
The symptoms of SNHL vary depending on the severity of the damage, but typically include: A sudden or gradual reduction in the ability to hear clearly. Muffled speech, making conversations sound like whispering or mumbling. Difficulty distinguishing high-pitched sounds or following conversations in noisy environments. Persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears is a condition known as tinnitus. After Padma Bhushan Honour, Alka Yagnik Reveals Why She Stayed Away From Public Life for 2 Years.
While standard treatments include hearing aids or cochlear implants to help manage long-term symptoms, sudden cases are occasionally treated with immediate corticosteroid therapy to help reduce inflammation and recover partial function.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 11:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
