DB-OTOF gene therapy is an experimental treatment aimed at hereditary deafness caused by mutations in the OTOF gene, which is essential for the transmission of sound signals from the inner ear to the brain. The therapy uses adeno-associated virus (AAV1) as a vehicle to deliver a functional copy of this gene to patients' inner ear. Clinical studies have shown that a single administration of this therapy to children with DFNB9 congenital deafness leads to the restoration of hearing in both ears, with the children beginning to recognize sounds, locate their source and develop speech skills. In one study, five of six treated children regained hearing, while two children were also observed dancing to music. The therapy lasted only a few minutes and the monitoring of the effects was short-term so far, so further long-term evaluation of the durability of the effect is needed. Similar successes have been reported with toddlers and older children in various countries, including Great Britain and the USA. This approach represents a significant advance in the treatment of genetic deafness, which affects approximately 2-8% of all congenital cases.