Scientists Conquer Deafness

Scientists have conquered deafness. They managed to restore hearing in adults who were deaf from birth. Doctors introduced healthy copies of the OTOF gene, which produces otoferlin - a key protein in sound transmission, into the patients. Within a month, all 10 patients began to hear, and the hearing persisted even after six months. The minimum audible volume decreased from 106 to 52 decibels. This means they transitioned from deep deafness to the ability to hear sounds at conversation level. A 24-year-old patient was able to hear for the first time in his life - it used to be believed that curing adults was impossible.