Imagine a world of silence — for about 3,000 newborns in Montenegro, this is reality. But now, science has made a breakthrough! Gene therapy developed by Swedish scientists at Karolinska Institute successfully restores hearing in children and young adults with congenital deafness caused by mutations in the otoferlin gene. This gene is crucial for transmitting sound signals from the ear to the brain. Until now, cochlear implants were the only hope, but they require invasive surgery and cannot fully replicate natural sounds.
How does this genius therapy work? Scientists use a modified virus as a courier to deliver a working copy of the otoferlin gene directly into the inner ear cells. The virus attaches to the hair cells and ‘injects’ genetic instructions that enable the auditory neurons to function again. The results are staggering: in the first month of treatment, average hearing improvement reached 62% on objective brainstem response tests and 78% on behavioral hearing assessments. Two children achieved nearly normal speech perception, and one parent reported their child started hearing sounds just three days after treatment!
Safety? Ten patients experienced only mild to moderate side effects, most commonly a reduction in white blood cell count, but no serious adverse events were observed. This is the first time gene therapy has been successfully applied to adolescents and young adults with this type of deafness. The best results were seen in children aged 5 to 8 years, but the therapy shows potential even in older patients.
This is just the beginning! Scientists are already working on therapies targeting other genes linked to hearing loss. The future of treating genetic deafness has never looked brighter. Is this the end for cochlear implants? Maybe! What do you think about this scientific revolution? Would you dare to try such therapy or remain skeptical? Drop a comment and let your voice be heard — literally!
