4 weeks ago
5
HeAR’s effectiveness comes from the vast amount of data it has been trained on—around 300 million audio pieces, including 100 million cough sounds. This extensive dataset enables the AI to pick up even subtle signs of trouble read more
 "Google's new medical AI model HeAR AI can detect early stages of lung cancer using cough sounds")
Google has made a major advancement in healthcare with its new AI model, Health Acoustic Representations (HeAR). This model aims to detect early signs of lung issues such as tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by analyzing cough sounds.
Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, and HeAR could revolutionize this process. By listening to the nuances of a cough, HeAR identifies patterns that may indicate underlying problems, making disease detection faster and more accessible. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who might not have easy access to traditional healthcare.
One company already leveraging HeAR is Salcit Technologies, an Indian startup specializing in respiratory health. Their AI-powered tool, Swaasa, assesses lung health by analyzing cough sounds. With HeAR integrated into Swaasa, the tool is expected to enhance its ability to detect TB early, providing significant relief to many.
TB, while treatable, often goes undiagnosed or is detected too late, especially in areas with limited healthcare resources. Swaasa, with the added capability of HeAR, could offer a safer and more affordable method for early TB detection, potentially preventing many cases from being missed.
HeAR’s effectiveness comes from the vast amount of data it has been trained on—around 300 million audio pieces, including 100 million cough sounds. This extensive dataset enables the AI to pick up even subtle signs of trouble. Google has made HeAR available to researchers, aiming to drive further innovation in using sound for health diagnostics.
Google is also collaborating with organizations like the Stop TB Partnership, which works towards eradicating TB by 2030. The goal is to use AI tools like HeAR to make TB screening more accessible and widespread, particularly in regions where it is needed most.
Overall, Google’s HeAR model represents a significant leap in healthcare technology. By using AI to detect early warning signs through cough analysis, it has the potential to make healthcare more proactive and accessible, helping individuals receive timely diagnoses and treatment. This development marks just the beginning of how AI could transform healthcare, making it more effective and inclusive for everyone.
){kind=tracking}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·