University of Washington researchers develop low-cost newborn hearing test for use in lower-income countries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost all U.S. hospitals screen babies for hearing loss shortly after they’re born. The brief test helps detect signs of deafness and hearing loss, which could lead to developmental delays if not caught early. But the equipment used to perform the test costs thousands of dollars, making it a luxury in many lower-income countries.<br /><br />Researchers at the University of Washington recently developed a low-cost way to conduct newborn hearing screenings using a smartphone and earbuds. Shyam Gollakota is a professor in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering and one of the researchers behind the project. He joins us to talk about what the new method could mean for global health equity.