Can Gene Therapy Cure Congenital Deafness: The world has always been somewhat silent for people who have been suffering from hearing problems since birth. This condition is called congenital deafness, which starts at birth and has a profound impact on a person’s communication, studies and everyday life. Often there are genetic reasons behind this, that is, changes in certain genes, which are passed through generations. Till now, in such cases, only options like hearing aids or cochlear implants were available, which help but cannot completely restore natural hearing.

new hope

Meanwhile, a new study from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute has raised a new ray of hope. This research has been published in the prestigious journal Nature. It has been told that through gene therapy, a certain type of genetic deafness can be cured to a great extent, that too in both children and youth.

Where has the discovery been made?

In this research, scientists in collaboration with hospitals and universities in China worked on 10 patients aged 1 to 24 years. The hearing problem in all of them was due to changes in the OTOF gene. This gene plays an important role in making a protein called otoferlin, which helps in transmitting sound signals from the ear to the brain. When this protein does not function properly, the ear senses the sound, but the signal does not reach the brain properly.

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This is how the problem was solved

To solve this problem, researchers used gene therapy. In this a healthy gene is delivered into the body. For this, a safe virus called adeno-associated virus was used, through which the working OTOF gene was delivered directly inside the ear. This procedure was done through a small injection at a place called the round window present in the lower part of the cochlea. The results were quite encouraging. Many patients started feeling improvement in hearing within just one month. After six months, clear benefits were seen in all participants. They also started hearing sounds much slower than before, which was impossible for them earlier.

improvement in children

The special thing was that the maximum improvement was seen in children, especially between the age of 5 to 8 years. One little girl regained almost normal hearing within a few months of treatment and started talking to her mother easily. This also indicates that if treatment is started on time, the results can be better.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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