Gene Therapy for Inherited Deafness Provides Lasting Hearing Restoration
A multicenter study found a one-time treatment targeting the OTOF gene restored hearing in most participants, with effects lasting up to 2.5 years.
A multicenter study found a one-time treatment targeting the OTOF gene restored hearing in most participants, with effects lasting up to 2.5 years.
Researchers used a non-invasive technique called transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), in which a small stimulator is placed in the outer ear and can activate the vagus nerve using unnoticeable electrical pulses to stimulate one of the nerve's nearby branches.
The discovery of this gene (Ikzf2) will help researchers better understand this unique type of cell that is needed for hearing and potentially develop treatments for common age-related hearing loss.