Sohum

“Sohum”- An innovative Newborn hearing screening Device

Question: “Sohum”- an innovative Newborn hearing screening device has recently been Developed by which one of the following?
(a) Amrita Vidyalaya of Biotechnology
(b) School of Biotechnology
(c) School of International Biodesign
(d) Indian School of Bioscience
Answer- (c)
Related facts:

  • On July 17, 2017, ‘SOHUM’ was formally launched by the Minister of State for Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, Shri Y.S. Chowdary, in New Delhi.
  • SOHUM is an indigenously developed newborn hearing screening device.
  • This device was developed by School of International Biodesign (SIB) startup M/s Sohum Innovation Labs India Pvt. Ltd.
  • This battery-operated device is non-invasive i.e.which means babies do not need to be sedated.
  • Device measures auditory brain waves via three electrodes placed on the baby’s head. When stimulated, they detect electrical responses generated by the brain’s auditory system.
  • The aim is to screen two percent of hospital-born babies in the first year, before scaling up and device has been installed in five clinical centers who are currently running the hearing screening program.
  • This innovative medical device has been developed under Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology.

Reference:
http://dst.gov.in/pressrelease/made-india-global-health
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=167493