Deaf News Briefs: Five children born deaf now can hear after gene therapy; NAD appoints interim CEO
Here are two Deaf News briefs.
The first is a report from “The Guardian” that five children who were born deaf now can hear in both ears after receiving gene therapy during a clinical trial in Shanghai, China. A scientist from a Harvard teaching hospital was involved in the trial.
The report said the children were aged between one and 11. Within weeks of receiving the therapy, the children could hear, locate the sources of the sounds, and recognize speech in noisy environments. Some danced to music.
These gene therapies target people who are deaf due to issues with their ears creating a protein called otoferlin. This is the same kind of therapy that we’ve seen in previous stories with deaf children being “healed.” But this report is different because it involves both ears, which doctors say will help people work out where sounds are coming from.
Otoferlin issues account for 2 to 8 percent of all people who were born deaf. There are many other genetic reasons why a person is deaf and there aren’t treatments for them, but we can imagine that with the otoferlin treatments being effective, scientists will look at how to treat other causes of deafness.
Naturally, this is a controversial idea in the Deaf community because it raises existential questions about our identity, language and culture.
-——
Sponsored video by Convo: www.convorelay.com
———
When legendary musician Jelly Roll Morton’s soul is forced to face the music, the self-proclaimed “inventor of jazz” is left at the ultimate crossroads. Follow Jelly from the back alleys of New Orleans to the sparkling stages of New York, as his remarkable journey unfolds in a stunning display of song, dance, and music. With soulful melodies, electrifying tap dancing, and fiery tunes that will leave you breathless, get your groove on with this dazzling musical masterpiece. At Pasadena Playhouse beginning May 29 through June 23. Get your tickets today! http://bit.ly/4bZcG3a
———
The second is that the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) announced several days ago that its board has appointed Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins as its Interim Chief Executive Officer. The NAD said she “will lead the day-to-day operations and support the Board in their search efforts for a permanent CEO.” Scoggins used to be the president of the NAD from 2006 to 2012. If you haven’t seen the press release from NAD, the link is in the transcript.
That’s the two Deaf News briefs for today.
https://www.nad.org/2024/06/05/bobbie-beth-scoggins-returns-to-the-nad-as-interim-ceo/