Key points from article :
Chinese researchers of Fudan University have successfully restored hearing in deaf children using gene therapy.
The treatment targets a specific genetic cause of deafness, affecting around 1% of cases.
A harmless virus is used to deliver a working copy of the missing gene to the inner ear.
Children who received the treatment can now hear sounds at conversational volume.
The treatment is still in early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionise the treatment of deafness.
The Chinese team is the first to achieve this breakthrough, but several Western companies are also developing similar treatments.
