Gene therapy lets deaf children hear - 18th March 2024

Researchers have discovered a way to help deaf children hear. A new gene therapy's been developed by scientists from Harvard University in the US and Fudan University in China.

Six deaf children between the ages of one and seven were selected for the study. They all had an irregular OTOF gene, which is required to produce proteins that are essential for the brain and ear to communicate.

This gene therapy, like others, uses viruses to insert healthy DNA into cells. Usually, a single viral vector's used as a delivery vehicle. However, researchers had to overcome the problem that the OTOF gene's too large for one virus to hold.

Scientists solved this by dividing the DNA into two and using two viral vectors, which were then injected into the ear. When the DNA had been inserted into the target cells, these cells began producing the proteins which are needed to create electrical signals.

After 26 weeks, five of the six children's hearing had improved greatly. They were able to understand and respond to people's speech. A one year old had also started to form simple words like "mama" by themselves.

Although hearing problems affect 1.6 billion people, most are because of damage from loud noises. This study focused on a genetic condition which causes deafness from birth. Only 200,000 people live with this condition. Therefore, it might not be of commercial interest to pharmaceutical companies.

However, the report co-authors remain hopeful. They expect that the US regulators will license this treatment in the next three to five years.