A New Health App in the Works Hey Alexa, Am I Sick?
You might be able to tell when you’re getting sick just by talking — your voice may sound raspy or strained. You can gain insight into a person based on their speech. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health are developing an app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to determine if you’re ill — all by studying the voice. Voice data is being collected in five areas of health concerning neurological, voice, mood, respiratory, and pediatric disorders. The team of experts hopes to obtain 30,000 voice samples to improve the accuracy and algorithm of the app so it can diagnose multiple kinds of health conditions and disorders. Dr. Yael Bensoussan, the director of the University of South Florida’s Health Voice Center and the leading researcher on the study, stated that vocal vibrations and breathing patterns can provide tons of information about your overall health. For example, if someone were to speak low and slow, it could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease. Scientists even think they can diagnose depression or cancer by analyzing and studying a person’s voice.
So, how would this app work? According to Fox 13 in Tampa, you can speak into your phone, and the app will record your voice and cross- examine it with its voice collection database. While this may be new to some, researchers in Australia developed a voice screening app that can detect Parkinson’s disease and COVID-19. But what makes Dr. Bensoussan’s study and app different than her competitors is that she aims to keep data privacy at the forefront of her research. Scientists and researchers on the team are excited about the future and how this app will help millions of people. Dr. Oliver Elemento, a co-investigator and director of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, told Fox 13 that “future findings could lead to a revolution in health care, where continuous voice monitoring could alert physicians earlier than currently possible to certain conditions.” It’s important to note that this app is in the early stages of development and is not a total replacement for a medical professional. If you need medical assistance, please visit your doctor!
SUCCESS STORIES! “Dr. Adams is a genuinely caring physical therapist who really follows through with your treatment plan to make sure you are meeting your goals. He will honestly let you know if you need more challenging work or if you should put in more effort to get you back to your healthy self. It’s the right balance. Dr. Wade and Ashley were helpful and uplifting as well. The entire office is a pleasant place and Jenean’s courteous demeanor will always patiently schedule (and reschedule) your appointments at convenient times and help with all the paperwork. I would definitely recommend giving this practice a shot.” “I was in a car accident which caused severe neck spasms. I sought treatment at Horizon Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center. The doctors, staff, and facilities were truly awesome! A very positive environment and experience. The therapeutic exercises tremendously improved my mobility. Thank you, Dr. Adams and staff.” –Cassandra H. –Ola A.
2
horizonptflint.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator