A recent trial in China demonstrated promising results for AAV-OTOF gene therapy in treating autosomal recessive deafness 9. Ten participants aged 1.5 to 23.9 years showed significant hearing improvement following a single injection delivering a functional OTOF gene to the cochlea. The therapy was well tolerated, with rapid hearing gains observed within one month and sustained improvements at six months. These findings represent a meaningful step in genetic treatments for hearing loss applicable to both children and adults.