22 June 2022 - - US-based vocal biomarker technology specialist Sonde Health, in collaboration with Michigan State University, University of Botswana, University of Ghana, University of Dar es Salaam, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has launched a new study that uses vocal biomarkers to identify and understand the relationship among physical activity, mental health, and respiratory health of individuals living in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said.

In addition, the study will extend the size and diversity of Sonde's vocal biobank, which will now include voice samples and health labels from people across four continents, multiple languages, and ethnic backgrounds, as well as socioeconomic classes.

This increasingly diverse dataset provides validation of the generalization and applicability of Sonde's statistical health models for use around the world.

Though in its early stages, the study has already uncovered differing mental health patterns across countries.

The study's leads are Professor, Leapetswe Malete from Michigan State University; Dr. Dale Joachim from Sonde Health; Professor Reginald Ocansey and Dr. Clement Adamba from the University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana; Dr. Joyce Ndabi from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Dr. Dawn Tladi from the University of Botswana.

Sonde Health has developed an enterprise vocal biomarker platform that enables any company to either license respiratory or mental fitness monitoring product or create a novel vocal biomarker product.

Sonde scales data collection, feature development, model creation and clinical validation in collaboration with its partners and customers.

Leveraging over 1m voice samples from 80,000+ individuals, Sonde uses advanced audio signal processing and machine learning to sense and analyze subtle vocal changes due to changes in a person's physiology to provide key insights into health and well-being.