DBT’s “Sohum” Newborn Hearing Screening Device
Science & Technology › Biotechnology – Applications · Topic 11.29
Sohum is an Indian device for screening the hearing of newborn babies, developed by the Bengaluru start-up Sohum Innovation Labs with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, which works under the Department of Biotechnology. The device records the response of the brain to soft clicks played into the ear of a sleeping baby, a test called auditory brainstem response, and gives a pass or refer result automatically, without needing an expert audiologist. Hearing loss in babies, if not found early, harms speech and learning, and early detection by the age of one month, diagnosis by three months and intervention by six months is the recommended target. The device is an example of low cost, field ready health technology made in India.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Biotechnology – Applications
At a Glance
- Device Sohum
- Supported by DBT through BIRAC
- Test Auditory brainstem response
- Users Newborns, sleeping
- Aim Early detection of hearing loss
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Biotechnology – Applications
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows genetically modified mosquitoes. It moves from gene technologies to a health device supported by the biotechnology department, showing how the national strategy produces low cost innovations. Previous topic: Genetically Modified Mosquito for Vector Control. Next topic: India’s First Biomass-to-Ethanol Plant and Its Commercialization.
What Is the Sohum Device and How Does It Work?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Sohum Innovation Labs, a start-up in Bengaluru, working with doctors from medical institutes |
| Support | The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, set up by the Department of Biotechnology, funded development through schemes for start-ups |
| Method | Soft clicks are played into the baby’s ear and sensors on the head record brainwave responses of the auditory pathway |
| Result | The software gives pass or refer, so a trained health worker can use it |
| When used | While the baby sleeps, usually within the first month |
| Setting | Hospitals, primary health centres and community programmes |
| Advantage | Low cost, portable and robust compared with older imported machines |
Why Does Early Screening of Hearing Matter?
- Brain development: hearing in the first years shapes speech and language learning
- Common problem: congenital hearing loss is among the most common birth conditions, affecting about one to three babies in every thousand, with higher rates in babies at risk
- Risk factors: low birth weight, jaundice, infection in pregnancy and family history raise the risk
- Target timeline: screening by one month, diagnosis by three months and treatment by six months
- Treatment: hearing aids, cochlear implants and speech therapy
- Cost of delay: late detection leads to poor speech, school failure and lower income later
- Government support: the Assistance to Disabled Persons scheme supports cochlear implants for children
- Training: ASHA and anganwadi workers can be trained to refer babies for tests
What Else Should You Remember?
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness: launched by the Union Health Ministry in 2006 to prevent and treat hearing loss, with a focus on early detection
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: recognises hearing impairment as a disability, with rights to education and services
- Cochlear implant programme: the Government supports implants for children under the Assistance to Disabled Persons scheme, and the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities in Mumbai leads training and research
- Otoacoustic emissions: another newborn test that checks the ear’s response, which is quick but may give more false referrals
- Auditory brainstem response: a more specific test used for babies who fail the first screening
- Universal Newborn Hearing Screening: a policy goal to test every baby, which many high income countries have achieved
- BIRAC: supports health innovation through schemes such as the Biotechnology Ignition Grant and the programme named SPARSH for social innovations, as in National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020
- Make in India: locally developed devices cut the import of costly machines and make screening affordable
- Rural reach: most Indian births now happen in institutions, which gives a chance to screen before discharge
- Follow up: screening is useful only if babies who fail are tested again and given care, so tracking systems are essential
- Link: affordable tools for the field are the theme of Diagnostics in Developing Countries
- Caution: the exact current status and coverage of the device should be checked on official pages before quoting
- Hearing aids in India: low cost digital hearing aids are being made locally, and public programmes supply aids to children and adults with disabilities
- Data from screening: digital records of screening results help to track babies and plan services in districts
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Device facts: developer, supporter and method
- Institutions: BIRAC and DBT
- Health schemes: NPPCD and RPwD Act
- Current affairs link: newborn screening and assistive devices
- Common errors: confusing Sohum with a cochlear implant
As an analytical point, a low cost device helps only when screening is part of routine newborn care with follow up. Public hospitals and health workers need training, reporting and funds for treatment.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Device BIRAC supported
- Need Early detection
- Programmes NPPCD
What Came Next?
The next topic covers India’s first biomass-to-ethanol plant. Next topic: India’s First Biomass-to-Ethanol Plant and Its Commercialization.
Key People and Terms
- ABR Brainwave response to sound
- Screening Test of apparently healthy people
- Refer Needs further test
- Cochlear implant Electronic ear implant
- Audiologist Hearing specialist
- SPARSH BIRAC social innovation programme
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Sohum is a newborn hearing screening device.
- Supported by BIRAC under DBT.
- Test: auditory brainstem response.
- NPPCD launched in 2006.
- Rule: screen by 1, diagnose by 3, treat by 6 months.
Do Not Confuse With
- Screening and diagnosis First check versus confirmation
- Hearing aid and cochlear implant Amplifies sound versus stimulates nerve
- BIRAC and DBT Industry support council versus parent department
Memory Hook
One month screen, three months confirm, six months treat; Sohum clicks while the baby sleeps.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the device and its policy context. These points help.
- Need Early detection
- Innovation Low cost device
- System Follow up and care
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the importance of newborn hearing screening in India and the role of low cost indigenous devices such as Sohum.”
How to Answer
- Need Hearing loss and speech.
- Device Sohum, ABR.
- Programmes NPPCD.
- Way Follow up.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sohum?
Sohum is an Indian newborn hearing screening device developed by the Bengaluru start-up Sohum Innovation Labs with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council of the Department of Biotechnology. It tests the brain's response to soft clicks in a sleeping baby and gives a simple pass or refer result.
What is auditory brainstem response?
Auditory brainstem response is a test that records the electrical activity of the hearing pathway in the brainstem after a sound is played into the ear. Sensors on the head detect the response, so the test can show whether sound is reaching the brain, even in a sleeping baby who cannot respond.
Why is newborn hearing screening important?
Newborn hearing screening is important because hearing in the early years is needed for the development of speech and language. If hearing loss is found early, treatment with hearing aids, implants and therapy can begin before the child falls behind. The recommended goal is screening by one month and treatment by six months.
What is the role of BIRAC?
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council is a public sector company set up by the Department of Biotechnology in 2012 to support biotechnology start-ups and small companies. It provides funding and mentoring through schemes such as the Biotechnology Ignition Grant, and has supported health technologies including the Sohum device.
What is the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness?
The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness, started by the Union Health Ministry in 2006, aims to prevent hearing loss, identify it early and provide treatment and rehabilitation. It works through district hospitals and health centres, trains health workers and supports services such as hearing aids and cochlear implants.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Sohum is a newborn hearing screening device.
Developed with BIRAC support.
2 Auditory brainstem response requires the baby to be awake and respond verbally.
It can be done in a sleeping baby.
3 BIRAC is a public sector company set up by the Department of Biotechnology.
In 2012.
4 The recommended time for starting treatment of congenital hearing loss is 6 months.
After screening by 1 month.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Biotechnology – Applications. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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