Atoh1 therapy - funded by the deafness compensation claims of the future?

Although, in 2008, it stands as a very distant reality, it may one day be the case that a person who makes a deafness compensation claim does so not to be compensated for a life of hearing loss but for the cost and inconvenience of having gene therapy to restore his or her full hearing.

This possibility comes after scientists from Oregon Health and Science University, led by molecular biologist John Brigande, who is himself profoundly deaf, succeeded in using the Atoh1 gene to regrow cells in the cochlea of mice.

Promisingly, these cells are the ones most commonly damaged in people with deafness, whether caused by infection, medication or noise-related hazards, meaning that it may one day be possible give full auditory sensation to millions of deaf people.

The development was widely hailed as a breakthrough. Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK commented, "This is an important and exciting step along the road towards an effective medical treatment for deafness. Deafness Research UK has a long history of supporting research into the repair and regeneration of the sensory cells in the inner ear, including work on the Atoh1 gene and on the use of stem cells to restore hearing. We will continue to work towards getting a cure for unwanted deafness into the clinic."

Professor Guy Richardson was equally inspired by the work, hailing it as "a technical tour de force, and very convincing proof of the principle that gene therapy could, at least in certain cases, be used to cure deafness".

Dr Stefan Heller, a biologist at Stanford University said, "That is sort of the major achievement or milestone that we all had to reach."

However, Dr Brigande is more circumspect about the impact of his research, commenting, "We're really far away from a cure for deafness. I'd like to hear and I would love to be a member of the research team or community that does define an efficacious therapy, but I think it needs to be approached with enormous caution."

Industrial deafness compensation solicitors
Deafness affects every conceivable aspect of a person's life. For someone who has developed hearing loss in a workplace setting, the loss of full hearing will involve significant trauma and life-adjustment.

Claiming compensation in cases where noise-induced hearing loss has been caused by another party is a civil right and can help a person make this difficult transition in the best way possible.

At YouClaim we will only ever appoint you a no win, no fee solicitor who is governed the Solicitors Regulation Authority, something which assures you a professional service.

All solicitors on our deafness compensation claim panel are specialists in the field and bring formidable records of success to each new case take on.

Here at YouClaim, we are proud to deliver you a cost free service. This means that, win or lose, you will never be held liable for any charges from either us or the opposing legal team.

And with our no cut promise, all winning claimants are guaranteed 100 percent compensation.

To commence your claim, or to simply receive some obligation-free legal advice, get in touch with us online or over the phone.

Online: fill out a claim form, use echat, or request a callback.

Telephone: speak to a legal advisor about your deafness compensation claim on 0800 10 757 95.