First Gene Therapy Restores Hearing in Deaf Kids | Boston News

A revolutionary gene therapy called Otarmeni has just become the first of its kind in the U.S., offering a life-changing solution for children born deaf. Instead of cochlear implants, this one-time treatment delivers a corrected gene directly to the inner ear, restoring natural hearing by fixing the root genetic cause. Administered to 16-month-old Everett at Boston Children’s Hospital, the procedure showed remarkable results: 80% of trial participants saw hearing improvements within six months, and 42% achieved normal hearing—including hearing whispers—within a year. Though offered free to eligible families, overall costs remain a challenge. With more treatment centers expected to launch, researchers are closely tracking long-term outcomes, marking a major leap forward in treating genetic hearing loss—and paving the way for future breakthroughs. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/eab483942e0706f1