This boy was born with severe hearing
loss, but 3 weeks after receiving
experimental gene therapy, he heard his
name for the first time.
Then music.
>> [music]
>> And months later, he learned to speak.
The significance of this really cannot
be underestimated. This is a result of a
clinical trial carried out by
researchers at Harvard Medical School
and Fudan University in Shanghai. The
boy is one of 42 participants aged 8
months to 32 years old with genetic
hearing loss caused by mutation to the
gene otoferlin. Participants received a
single injection into the inner ear
replacing that gene that allows sound
signals to reach the brain. Researchers
say hearing improved in 90% of
participants to varying degrees, though
more effective in the children. So far
the data really strongly support the
earliest treatment with better outcome.
And that toddler we showed you, he's now
four and tells us he loves toy cars.
He's getting better and better. He's
attending regular school now. He is no
different from other kids. You have to
be implanted within
>> Professor Robert Harrison has spent
decades researching and treating hearing
loss and he's cautiously optimistic.
There are some limitations. Not
everybody benefits. What we have here is
a possible cure for a very rare
genetic caused uh congenital hearing
loss.
And for members of the deaf community,
not everyone wants a cure. I get the
appeal of it.
Like, yay, you know, it's nice. You
know, things are coming along. But on
the other side, it feels like we are
being erased.
And
I love being in a deaf world.
Researchers followed the participants
for 2 and 1/2 years after they received
the gene therapy and say the results
held up, but they hope it will last a
lifetime. Tashauna Reed, CBC News,
Toronto.