Is it possible to monitor glucose levels using your voice? That’s what researchers are currently trying to figure out. According to a study published at the end of August in the journal Scientific Reportsfrom Nature, a relationship was identified between changes in blood glucose levels and changes in voice.
One of the hypotheses that can explain this relationship is based on Hooke’s Law. Established by the Englishman Robert Hooke (1635-1703), the law describes the deformation of elastic bodies.
It is now known that the voice is produced from vibrations of the so-called vocal folds, two folds of muscle and mucosa located in the larynx. In this sense, variations in blood glucose levels would lead to changes in the elastic properties of these folds, which would consequently also change the frequency and tone of the voice.
Another hypothesis raised is that complications of diabetes 2such as the formation of edema in the vocal fold region, can impact the vibration of the sound.
How the research was carried out and the results found
To better understand these hypotheses, the research led by Jaycee Kaufman, chief scientist at Klick Health, analyzed the voices of 505 people, men and women, who presented prediabetes (89), type 2 diabetes (174) and those who did not have the disease (242).
Over the course of two weeks, participants measured their glucose every 15 minutes with continuous glucose monitors (CGM), a type of sensor placed on the patient’s skin.
They also anonymously recorded phrases such as: “Hello, how are you? What is my glucose level right now?” at least six times a day.
After analyzing the recorded content, a small but significant linear relationship was identified between glucose levels and voice tone.
This means that when blood glucose levels rise, the pitch of your voice also tends to rise.
To give you an idea, a 1 mg/dL increase in glucose corresponded to a 0.02 Hz increase in vocal frequency.
Findings could change glucose monitoring
The research shows promise for revolutionizing the current glucose monitoring landscape.
Currently, this monitoring involves performing finger prick testing and using CGM.
However, these methods are invasive and have limitations, in addition to causing discomfort, especially in the region where the needle is inserted, and generating costs for purchasing the devices.
“Current glucose monitoring methods are invasive and inconvenient. Voice-based monitoring could be as simple as speaking into a smartphone, which would be a game-changer for the 463 million people worldwide living with type 2 diabetes,” Jaycee said in a statement from Klick Health.
It is important to highlight, however, that the study still has limitations, especially because external factors, such as respiratory infections, emotional health and allergies, can influence the tone of voice.
That said, new studies should be carried out in the future to prove whether or not there is a cause and effect relationship between variations in glucose levels and changes in the voice.
This content was originally published in Voice can be used to monitor blood glucose, study finds on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
I am an experienced journalist and writer with a career in the news industry. My focus is on covering Top News stories for World Stock Market, where I provide comprehensive analysis and commentary on markets around the world. I have expertise in writing both long-form articles and shorter pieces that deliver timely, relevant updates to readers.
