The way you speak could reveal early signs of brain ageing
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have developed a 'speech clock' that uses machine learning to estimate a person's biological age based on speech patterns. The study suggests that speech age gaps can serve as early indicators for conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia.
Why it matters
This non-invasive diagnostic tool could revolutionize early detection of neurodegenerative diseases at a low cost.
The way someone speaks can reveal more about their health and ageing than previously thought, a new study using an automated computer tool called a "speech clock" found. A person's speech age isn't just about vocal style; researchers say it reflects what is happening inside the body, and they hope this could be a low-cost, non-invasive, automated alternative for measuring biological ageing.“Our voice appears to contain much more information about aging than we previously recognised,” said Agustín Ibáñez, senior author of the study at Trinity College Dublin. An automated computer calculated a person’s speech age and compared it to their actual birth age, revealing whether their speech sounds younger, average, or older than expected, and offering clues about healthy ageing.
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