The Sohum device
SOHUM is a highly proprietary, non-invasive, safe device to screen neonates for hearing impairment with high sensitivity and specificity and is specially designed for mass screening of neonates in resource constrained settings. The Sohum product and care cycle are designed so that the needs of all key stakeholders like parents, pediatrician, maternity homes and health care workers, are met. We envision sohum as a self-sufficient and sustainable business that works toward a large scale and critical social cause. The unique business model links the child directly to Sohum certified audiologists for further care.
The technology
Sohum uses brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER or ABR) technology which is the gold standard in auditory testing and is recommended as the test of choice by the American Association of Pediatrics (US) and the National Health Services (NHS-UK). As of now, this technology is prohibitively expensive and inaccessible to the underserved populations. Sohum uses this in an innovative way with an easy-to-use interface to meet the needs of the system. In addition to this, the sensitivity and specificity is improved through our novel algorithm.
The care cycle
Urban scenario: Here they already have regular access to babies that need to be screened. So this Sohum can be purchased by the hospital, maternity home or audiologist. Rural scenario: To make Sohum accessible to the non-institutional births we engage local entrepreneurs who can use Sohum with minimum training. The local entrepreneur can conduct the screening of these children at government-run vaccination camps, screening camps at schools, or specific cultural/ regional gatherings.
Product features led by insights
Sohum was designed to meet the top 5 challenges that were prioritized by the users and stakeholders.
Each problem led to a district feature in Sohum.
Can be used for mass screening |
Works in noisy environments |
Reduces risks associated with sedation |
Affordable and
|
Meets stakeholder needs
|
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 As we develop the Sohum screening device, we are looking for donations that will go towards making sure the device gets in the hands of the people who need them as soon as possible. |
|
