NEOHEARSCREEN is an innovative, low-cost newborn hearing-screening device developed by Biomedical Engineering students at MUST. 

The device is designed to support early detection of hearing impairment in newborn babies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to conventional screening equipment can be limited.

The innovation responds to a healthcare challenge where newborn hearing loss may go undetected because screening equipment can be expensive or unavailable in some healthcare facilities. 

By developing a more affordable screening solution, NEOHEARSCREEN aims to make early hearing assessment more accessible.

Early detection of hearing impairment is important because it allows healthcare providers and families to identify the need for intervention at an early stage. 

This can support better outcomes in a child’s speech, language, communication and learning as they grow.

NEOHEARSCREEN was developed as a final-year Biomedical Engineering project by Alinane Kalemba, Precious Manda, Zaithwa Chidalengwa and Sphiwe Banda, who are now MUST alumni.

The innovation has already received recognition at university and national levels. It won Best Biomedical Engineering Project and Second Most Innovative Project at the MUST 2026 Engineering Symposium, and was named First Runner-Up in the Student Innovation Award. 

The project also received a Certificate of Recognition from Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS).

NEOHEARSCREEN demonstrates how innovation at MUST can turn a real healthcare challenge into a practical solution. More importantly, it shows the potential of student-led research to contribute to affordable technologies that respond to the needs of communities in Malawi and other resource-limited settings.