Voice Technology Breakthrough: Detecting High Blood Pressure Through Speech Analysis

High blood pressure can be detected in voice recordings - Earth.com

Experts at Klick Labs have developed a novel, non-invasive technique that taps into the health screening potential of our voices. The researchers have demonstrated that it is possible to detect chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) with impressive accuracy using just a person's voice. With its effortless simplicity, the new method could lead to substantial advancements in early detection of hypertension, a widespread health condition. In this unique study, 245 individuals were assigned a straightforward task. Over two weeks, they recorded their voices multiple times a day using a specialized mobile app. This app, a homegrown project from the Klick scientists, works on the principles of machine learning. The voice technology has exhibited an impressive 84 percent accuracy for females and 77 percent for males in detecting high blood pressure. The magic lies in its unique capability to analyze vocal biomarkers that escape human ears. This includes pitch variations, patterns in speech energy distribution, and the distinctness in sound alterations. Yan Fossat is the senior vice president of Klick Labs and principal investigator of the study. "By leveraging various classifiers and establishing gender-based predictive models, we discovered a more accessible way to detect hypertension, which we hope will lead to earlier intervention for this widespread global health issue," said Fossat. "Hypertension can lead to a number of complications, from heart attacks and kidney problems to dementia." Hypertension, referred to as the "silent killer" by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a global health concern affecting over a quarter of the world's population. Alarmingly, half of these people are not even aware of their condition. Furthermore, over 75 percent of those diagnosed with hypertension live in low or middle-income countries. Traditionally, blood pressure is measured using an arm cuff or an automatic device, methods that need specialized equipment and expertise. Unfortunately, these are often inaccessible for people in disadvantaged areas. "Early diagnosis and behavioral interventions have been shown to mitigate morbidity and mortality associated with this condition," noted the researchers. "However, conventional methods of measuring blood pressure and accordingly identifying hypertension, such as sphygmomanometry, require technical expertise and may not be readily accessible, particularly in remote or underserved areas." The introduction of voice-based high blood pressure detection extends beyond individual health assessments; it has significant implications for public health strategies. With the ability to uncover undiagnosed cases of hypertension through a simple app, healthcare systems can redirect resources toward prevention and education initiatives. The technology could empower individuals with the information they need to seek further evaluation and treatment. This is particularly the case in regions where traditional access to healthcare is limited. By promoting greater awareness and early intervention, communities could effectively mitigate the risks associated with hypertension, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs over time. Klick Labs is not a newcomer in the field of health tech. With a track record of using voice technology for detecting conditions like diabetes, the lab is continually expanding its research base. Collaborations with numerous hospitals, academic institutions, and public health authorities globally are a testament to the lab's commitment to healthcare advancements. Klick Labs previously demonstrated the effectiveness of AI algorithms combined with voice analysis in accurate screening for Type 2 diabetes. The research was published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health in October 2023. The lab also identified a link between blood glucose levels and voice pitch. The research was published last week in the journal Scientific Reports. "Voice technology has the potential to exponentially transform healthcare, making it more accessible and affordable, especially for large, underserved populations," said Jaycee Kaufman, Klick Labs research scientist. "Our ongoing research increasingly demonstrates the significant promise of vocal biomarkers in detecting hypertension, diabetes, and a growing list of other health conditions." By subtly wearing the cloak of technology, healthcare is quietly tiptoeing into the future. Only time will tell how these advancements will shape our lives. Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.

Klick Labs unveils voice technology for detecting hypertension with high accuracy

Klick Applied SciencesSep 11 2024 Researchers at Klick Labs unveiled a cutting-edge, non-invasive technique that can predict chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) with a high degree of accuracy using just a person's voice. Just published in the peer-reviewed journal IEEE Access, the findings hold tremendous potential for advancing early detection of chronic high blood pressure and showcase yet another novel way to harness vocal biomarkers for better health outcomes. The study's 245 participants were asked to record their voices up to six times daily for two weeks by speaking into a proprietary mobile app, developed by the Klick scientists, which detected high blood pressure with accuracies up to 84 percent for females and 77 percent for males. The app uses machine learning to analyze hundreds of vocal biomarkers that are indiscernible to the human ear, including the variability in pitch (fundamental frequency), the patterns in speech energy distribution (Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients), and the sharpness of sound changes (spectral contrast). "By leveraging various classifiers and establishing gender-based predictive models, we discovered a more accessible way to detect hypertension, which we hope will lead to earlier intervention for this widespread global health issue. Hypertension can lead to a number of complications, from heart attacks and kidney problems to dementia," said Yan Fossat, senior vice president of Klick Labs and principal investigator of the study. More accessible screening for the "silent killer" The World Health Organization (WHO) refers to hypertension as the ''silent killer,'' as well as a global public health concern that affects over 25 percent of the global population. Half are unaware of their condition, and more than 75 percent of those diagnosed live in low- or middle-income countries. Conventional methods of measuring blood pressure (and, accordingly, identifying hypertension) include using an arm cuff (sphygmomanometry) or an automatic blood pressure measurement device. However, these methods may require technical expertise, specialized equipment, and may not be readily accessible to people in underserved areas. This study marks Klick Labs' first venture into using voice technology to identify conditions beyond diabetes, as the company expands its research to assess its AI algorithms' effectiveness in detecting and managing a broader range of health conditions. Klick Labs has been collaborating with hospitals, academic institutions, and public health authorities worldwide since its research revealed that voice analysis combined with AI can accurately screen for Type 2 diabetes in Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health in October 2023). Last week, Scientific Reports published another Klick Labs' study confirming the link between blood glucose levels and voice pitch. Voice technology has the potential to exponentially transform healthcare, making it more accessible and affordable, especially for large, underserved populations. Our ongoing research increasingly demonstrates the significant promise of vocal biomarkers in detecting hypertension, diabetes, and a growing list of other health conditions." Jaycee Kaufman, Klick Labs research scientist and co-author of the study Klick Applied Sciences Journal reference: Taghibeyglou, B., et al, (2024) Machine Learning-Enabled Hypertension Screening Through Acoustical Speech Analysis: Model Development and Validation. IEEE Access, doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3443688.