An 18-month-old in London, England, is one of the youngest children to receive gene therapy to treat hearing loss caused by a mutation in the OTOF gene. This gene produces a protein called Otoferlin that allows for communication between cells of the cochlea and the brain.

The recipient received an infusion of a functional copy of the OTOF in her ear. The procedure was completed in just 16 minutes. Reportedly, it only took a few weeks for the child to begin to hear and respond to sounds without the help of her cochlear implant.

Read the full article

References

Afzali K. (2024) Toddler born deaf can hear after gene therapy trial breakthrough her parents call “mind-blowing.”CBS News(accessed May 13, 2024).

Share this

Related Posts

How Well Do Parents and Professionals Know Their Child’s Cochlear Implant?

Newborn Hearing Screenings Made Easier: Why Did We Never Think of This?

Americans Do Not Understand the Importance of Hearing Health

Recent Posts

Act Now: Contact Your Senators to Protect Future Audiologists

The Senate is expected to vote Thursday, June 25, on the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Department of Education’s student loan rule….

Read More

Join the Next SPAN Meeting on July 22

The Academy’s State Policy Advocate Network (SPAN) will hold its next quarterly meeting on Wednesday, July 22, from 8:00–9:00 pm ET. SPAN provides Academy members…

Read More
Funny baby with cochlear implant sitting at home and eating. Hear aid and medicine innovating technology and diversity concept - How Well Do Parents and Professionals Know Their Child’s Cochlear Implant?

How Well Do Parents and Professionals Know Their Child’s Cochlear Implant?

Once a child has received cochlear implants (CI), the responsibility of managing and maintaining the implant is upon parents and caregivers. These adults should have…

Read More