Soham device launched for new born Deaf

New Delhi, July 18: The Ministry of science & technology has launched a low-cost developed hearing screening device for newborns called 'Sohum' on Monday to cater to nearly 26 million babies born every year in India.

This device, which allows screening without requiring babies to be sedated, once available across the country can help minimize hearing impairment or even reverse the damage.

The battery-operated noninvasive Sohum uses brainstem auditory evoked response technology, which is recommended as best screening choice by the American Association of Pediatrics and the National Health Services of UK.

At present, most of the hospital-born babies cannot be tested in the absence of any cost-effective device.

"Sohum is a perfect product to be given to the Public Health Centers across the country. Local manufacture of such products is crucial to further bring down costs," said Y S Chowdary, minister of state for science and technology, after launching the device, which is developed by School of International Biodesign (SIB) start-up Sohum Innovation Labs India Pvt Ltd.

"The Sohum team has come up with a screening device to facilitate the routine screening of newborn babies," said the ministry while noting that the device has already been installed in five clinical centers which are currently running the screening program.

"The aim is to screen two percent of hospital-born babies in the first year," said the ministry.