Cough Sound Analysis in Adults for Better Diagnosis

Cough sounds can be distinct based on the underlying cause of cough. Clinicians can get a lead to diagnosis, based on the analysis of cough sounds. Some of the common cough sounds are listed below:
1. A brassy cough occurs when an intrathoracic tumor (such as an aneurysm or mediastinal tumor) compresses the trachea, resulting in a cough with a metallic or harsh tonal quality, typically involving the trachea or bronchi.
2. A bovine cough manifests when a tumor affects the recurrent laryngeal nerve, altering the normal vocal cord movement. This results in a prolonged, less forceful cough often accompanied by wheezing.
3. A whooping cough is identified by a characteristic "whoop" sound as air is forcefully inhaled between coughing fits, common in pertussis.
4. A hysterical cough is typically loud and repetitive, often with a bark-like quality, and can be psychogenic in origin.
5. A barking cough (commonly associated with croup) involves noisy, high-pitched breathing sounds during both inhalation and exhalation due to subglottic pathology.
6. A paroxysmal cough is marked by intense, violent coughing episodes, often seen in conditions like bronchial asthma or heart failure.
7. A persistent cough with productive sputum, especially worse in the mornings and lasting for months or years, is characteristic of chronic bronchitis.
This classification aids in the clinical assessment of coughs, helping identify underlying pathologies based on auditory characteristics.