THE HAGUE, 23 January 2025. At RESONIKS, we focus on the application of acoustic AI to the manufacturing industry. But, what other applications of sound with AI are there? Acoustic AI is revolutionizing the healthcare industry by offering non-invasive, contactless, and highly accurate diagnostic tools that could transform how we approach medical monitoring and early disease detection.

The Role of Acoustics in Healthcare
Acoustics in healthcare is not a new concept. Doctors have long used stethoscopes to listen to heartbeats and lung sounds to diagnose conditions. However, the rise of artificial intelligence is unlocking a new layer of potential for acoustics by providing far more detailed analysis than what the human ear alone can detect. By capturing and analysing acoustic data from the body, such as breathing, heartbeats, and even speech, AI models can extract patterns and anomalies that may indicate health issues, often before physical symptoms emerge. These are referred to as "bioacoustics".
AI-Powered Acoustic Diagnostics
AI excels at processing complex data, and when applied to acoustic signals, it can pick up subtle differences that humans might miss, which we have harnessed at RESONIKS. By analysing the sound of a patient’s breathing or coughing, AI systems can detect patterns that indicate conditions like pneumonia, asthma, or even lung cancer, leading to highly accurate diagnoses of respiratory diseases.
Another area where acoustic AI is gaining traction is in cardiac care. Heart sounds are rich with diagnostic information, and AI models trained on large datasets of heartbeats can detect abnormalities like arrhythmias or murmurs that are precursors to cardiovascular disease. These systems not only provide rapid diagnostic insights but can also be integrated into wearable devices for continuous heart monitoring, alerting users or healthcare providers to potential issues before they become critical.
The Future of AI and Acoustics in Healthcare
As AI and acoustic technology continue to evolve, their potential applications in healthcare will only grow. One promising area of research is in voice-based diagnostics, where AI systems analyze changes in a person’s voice to detect neurological conditions, mental health issues, or even degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. By focusing on subtle shifts in speech patterns or vocal cord vibrations, AI can provide early warning signs long before more visible symptoms develop.
The combination of AI and acoustics also holds promise for prenatal care. By analyzing the sounds of a baby’s heartbeat in the womb, AI systems could help identify potential issues early, leading to better maternal and fetal outcomes. This same principle could extend to other areas of pediatrics, offering safe, non-invasive diagnostic tools for even the youngest patients.
Sound as a Diagnostic Tool
At RESONIKS, we are deeply invested in the power of sound. Our Acoustic Resonance Testing (ART) systems use sound waves to detect imperfections in materials, and while our focus is on quality control in manufacturing, the principles of acoustic AI extend far beyond the manufacturing industry.
The future of healthcare will be shaped by innovations like acoustic AI, where the invisible forces of sound can reveal critical insights into the human body. Who knows, maybe RESONIKS technology could be used to detect healthcare patterns one day!