# The study is the largest and longest to evaluate a gene therapy for hearing loss.

*biotech · news · 2026-04-22 · NPR*

## Key points

- Gene therapy restored hearing to about 90% of DFNB9 patients in a 42-person trial.
- Patients regained hearing within weeks, with improvements lasting over two years in some cases.
- This study is the largest and longest to date evaluating gene therapy for genetic hearing loss.
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' gene therapy could soon be the first FDA-approved treatment for deafness.
- Success is prompting exploration of gene therapy for both rare and more common types of hearing loss.

**Companies:** Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Mass Eye and Ear, Fudan University
**Countries:** United States, China

[Read the full story on NPR](https://www.npr.org/2026/04/22/nx-s1-5791478/gene-therapy-deafness-hearing)

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