New steps to treat genetic deafness

Congenital deafness is curable

 Joint US-Chinese gene therapy trials have succeeded in giving the gift of hearing to five deaf children for the first time. The study was conducted on children with DFNB9 deafness, a type of deafness that results from a genetic mutation inherited from both parents.  .

 This genetic condition is caused by a mutation in a gene called otoferlin or OTOF, which prevents the production of active otoferlin protein.  This protein plays a key role in transmitting audio signals from the ear to the brain.

 Researchers used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) containing a modified form of the human OTOF gene to develop this new gene therapy method.