A new study has found that voice changes captured through a smartphone could help predict asthma flare-ups and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations up to three days before symptoms become severe, offering patients an opportunity for earlier treatment.
Researchers from Maastricht University in the Netherlands developed an artificial intelligence-based smartphone app that analyses subtle changes in a person’s voice. According to the study, these vocal changes may indicate worsening respiratory health before patients notice symptoms themselves.
The research involved 310 people with asthma and COPD, who were asked to record their voices daily for 12 weeks using a specially designed app. Participants also completed daily questionnaires tracking their symptoms.
Researchers found that changes in vocal characteristics appeared as early as three days before a flare-up, even after accounting for factors such as age and sex. The findings suggest that voice changes could serve as an early warning sign, allowing patients to begin treatment sooner and potentially reduce hospital admissions.
Scientists believe the technology could eventually support day-to-day monitoring for people living with chronic respiratory diseases by providing personalised alerts through a smartphone. Earlier intervention may help lower the risk of breathing difficulties, emergency medical care, and long-term lung damage.
Although the technology is still being tested and is not yet available for clinical use, researchers say the results demonstrate the potential of AI-powered voice analysis to improve disease management. Larger studies are expected before the system can be introduced into routine healthcare.
If validated through further research, monitoring voice changes could become a simple, non-invasive way to help patients manage asthma and COPD more effectively using devices they already carry every day.
