Cough Sound Detection and Diagnosis Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques: Challenges and Opportunities

IEEE Access. 2021 Jul 15:9:102327-102344. doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3097559. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Coughing is a common symptom of several respiratory diseases. The sound and type of cough are useful features to consider when diagnosing a disease. Respiratory infections pose a significant risk to human lives worldwide as well as a significant economic downturn, particularly in countries with limited therapeutic resources. In this study we reviewed the latest proposed technologies that were used to control the impact of respiratory diseases. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a promising technology that aids in data analysis and prediction of results, thereby ensuring people's well-being. We conveyed that the cough symptom can be reliably used by AI algorithms to detect and diagnose different types of known diseases including pneumonia, pulmonary edema, asthma, tuberculosis (TB), COVID19, pertussis, and other respiratory diseases. We also identified different techniques that produced the best results for diagnosing respiratory disease using cough samples. This study presents the most recent challenges, solutions, and opportunities in respiratory disease detection and diagnosis, allowing practitioners and researchers to develop better techniques.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19); Artificial intelligence (AI); cough detection; cough-based diagnosis; respiratory illness diagnosis.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) through the COVID-19 Research Grant Program under Grant 5-20-01-070-0017.