Today, Explained
A new treatment for deafness
Feb 2, 2024
Antonio Regalado, a biotech reporter at MIT Technology Review, explores groundbreaking gene therapies that could help children born deaf. He shares inspiring stories, like an 11-year-old who gains hearing through innovative treatment and Yi Yi, a girl who hears her mother for the first time. Regalado delves into the ethical implications of these advancements, considering the perspectives of the Deaf community and the cultural significance of deafness. The conversation highlights the balance between medical innovation and respect for linguistic identity.
26:08
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Quick takeaways
- Gene therapy shows promise in restoring hearing in children with congenital deafness.
- The restoration of hearing through gene therapy raises ethical considerations in the deaf community.
Deep dives
Gene therapy restores hearing in deaf children
Gene therapy has shown promising results in restoring hearing in children with congenital deafness. Several clinical trials have been conducted, primarily in China and the United States, with positive outcomes. The therapy involves adding a gene related to the transmission of signals in the ear cells, allowing them to produce a crucial chemical for hearing. So far, the treatment has been successful in improving the hearing abilities of several children, with results ranging from 60% to 65% of normal speech. While the therapy is not suitable for all forms of deafness, the success of these trials has generated excitement and interest in the field of gene therapy for hearing loss.
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