Children born deaf can receive hearing-restoring gene therapy in both ears The therapy replaced a broken gene that kept them from hearing properly The kids were able to perceive speech, and some gained an ability to appreciate music WEDNESDAY, June 5, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Chlidren born deaf have had their hearing restored in both ears as a result of gene therapy, a new study reports. All five children showed hearing recovery in both ears, with dramatic improvements in speech perception and the ability to locate the position of a sound. Two of the children also gained an ability to appreciate music, and were observed dancing to music, researchers added.
“The results from these studies are astounding,” said co-senior researcher Zheng-Yi Chen , an associate scientist in the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories at Mass Eye and Ear. “We continue to see the hearing ability of treated children dramatically progress and the new study shows added benefits of the gene therapy when administrated to both ears, including the ability for sound source localization and improvements in speech recognition in noisy environments,” Chen added in a Mass Eye and Ear news release. About 26 million people are born deaf, researchers said in background notes.
Up to 60% of childhood deafness is caused by genetic factors. The children in this study all had DFNB9, an inherited hearing condition caused by mutations in the OTOF gene, researchers said. The condition prevents the production of functioning o.