Cough Collection Study

Cough Study

Thank you for your interest in the UW UbiComp Lab Cough Study.

This study should take approximately 10-15 minutes and will involve completing:
1. Consent form
2. Basic Demographic and Health Questionnaire
3. 20 voluntary cough recordings
4. (optional) 5-10 speech, throat clearing, and laughter recordings
The study should be completed on a computer as we've found the form will likely crash if performed on mobile.

Before you begin the study, please make sure:
1. You are in a quiet place with no background noise (i.e. music, tv, loud fans, pets).
2. You are away from other humans (since you will be coughing) and you disinfect your device after completing the study.
3. You have drinking water available to soothe any throat discomfort during the study.
If you are the parent of a child who will be completing the study, please assist them as necessary with the study.

During the study, make sure you do not refresh the page as it will force you to restart the survey.

If you're ready to start the study, click the start button!

Is the study participant (the person who will be coughing) 18 years of age or older? *

Yes No

Consent Form

Please read the below consent form. If you consent to continuing with the study, click the checkbox below the form and enter your email address so we can send you a copy of the consent form.
University of Washington

Consent Form for

“Forced Cough/Non-Cough Sounds Collection for Cough Detection Algorithm"

RESEARCHER’S STATEMENT

We are asking you or your child to participate in a research study. The purpose of this consent form is to give you information about the study. This information will help you decide whether to take part in the study or allow your child to take part in the study.

Please read the form carefully. Once you have completed reading the form, you can decide whether to participate or allow your child to participate. You (or your child) may refuse to participate or withdraw from this study at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you or your child are otherwise entitled.

PURPOSE AND BENEFITS

The purpose of the project is to collect audio samples of both cough and non-cough sounds to improve an algorithm that can automatically identify coughs from an audio recording. Since a patient’s cough pattern and type of cough are indicators of a patient’s lung health, accurate cough counting improves our ability to monitor a patient’s pulmonary health. You or your child will not directly benefit from taking part in this research study.

PROCEDURES

We ask that this study is performed in a quiet environment to eliminate any potential background noise.

If you are the parent of a minor, we also ask you to assist your child in completing the study if they need help during any portion.

The study participant will first be asked to complete a study questionnaire which will include basic demographics and health questions.

Next, the study participant will record 20-25 samples of forced (or voluntary) coughs. After completing the forced coughs, the study participant will have the option of exiting the survey. If the study participant wishes to continue with the study, he or she will record 5-10 samples of speech, throat clears, and laughter.

The questionnaire results and audio recordings collected during the study will be downloaded from the survey software by the research team from and stored in our secure database. The study participant will not receive any data collection results from this study.

BENEFITS OF THE STUDY

No individual benefits are expected for subjects who participate in this study.

RISK, STRESS OR DISCOMFORT

The recorded audio may contain sounds that the study participant does not want shared, which presents a privacy risk. Please see the privacy information section below for additional information.

While recording sounds for the study, the study participant may feel discomforts such as being tired, breathless, hoarse, or otherwise uncomfortable. To account for this potential discomfort, the study participant will be permitted to take as much time as needed between recording sounds. Furthermore, the study participant may end any section early and continue to the next task. We also recommend having water available during the study to help alleviate any discomfort.

Because the study involves producing sounds like a cough, there is a risk of spreading germs. To reduce this risk, we will ask the study participant to produce the sounds away from other humans and disinfect the recording device and nearby surfaces when the study is complete.

PRIVACY INFORMATION

Taking part in this study is voluntary and the study participant may stop at any time. Information about the study participant and all audio recordings are confidential.

The researchers will manage annotation of the audio recordings. Annotation will include tasks like listening to the audio recording, verifying the type of sound in the recording, and adding labels that correspond to the start and end points of certain audio portions. This data will be used by our research team to develop and improve the cough algorithm.

The recordings and their annotations may be shared with other researchers for future use in developing audio health sensing algorithms (see next section). Any sharing of data will be managed by the research team.

Government or university staff sometimes review studies such as this one to make sure they are being done safely and legally. If a review of this study takes place, the study participant’s records may be examined. The reviewers will protect the study participant’s privacy. The study records will not be used to put the study participant at legal risk of harm.

The study team may want to contact the study participant about taking part in additional data collection sessions for this study or future related studies. The study participant is not obligated to participate in any of these future studies.

USING DATA IN FUTURE RESEARCH

The information that we obtain from the study participant might be used for future studies. We may remove anything that might identify the study participant from the information. If we do so, that information may then be used for future research studies or given to another investigator without getting additional permission from the study participant. It is also possible that in the future we may want to use or share study information that might identify the study participant. If we do, a review board will decide whether we need to get additional permission from the study participant.

CONTACT

If you have questions about the study or feel you have been harmed by it, you may contact the research team at UWCoughTest@gmail.com.

If you have questions about your rights as a research subject, you can call the University of Washington Human Subjects Division at (206) 543-0098. We will give you a copy of this form for your records.
Your Email Address (we'll email you a copy of the consent form). If you have completed this study before, please use the same email address as the first time. *
example@gmail.com

Parental Permission Consent Form

Please have the parent of the study participant read the below consent form. If the parent provides permission to continue with the study, click the checkbox below the form and enter the parent's email address so we can send a copy of the consent form.
University of Washington

Consent Form for

“Forced Cough/Non-Cough Sounds Collection for Cough Detection Algorithm"

RESEARCHER’S STATEMENT

We are asking you or your child to participate in a research study. The purpose of this consent form is to give you information about the study. This information will help you decide whether to take part in the study or allow your child to take part in the study.

Please read the form carefully. Once you have completed reading the form, you can decide whether to participate or allow your child to participate. You (or your child) may refuse to participate or withdraw from this study at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you or your child are otherwise entitled.

PURPOSE AND BENEFITS

The purpose of the project is to collect audio samples of both cough and non-cough sounds to improve an algorithm that can automatically identify coughs from an audio recording. Since a patient’s cough pattern and type of cough are indicators of a patient’s lung health, accurate cough counting improves our ability to monitor a patient’s pulmonary health. You or your child will not directly benefit from taking part in this research study.

PROCEDURES

We ask that this study is performed in a quiet environment to eliminate any potential background noise.

If you are the parent of a minor, we also ask you to assist your child in completing the study if they need help during any portion.

The study participant will first be asked to complete a study questionnaire which will include basic demographics and health questions.

Next, the study participant will record 20-25 samples of forced (or voluntary) coughs. After completing the forced coughs, the study participant will have the option of exiting the survey. If the study participant wishes to continue with the study, he or she will record 5-10 samples of speech, throat clears, and laughter.

The questionnaire results and audio recordings collected during the study will be downloaded from the survey software by the research team from and stored in our secure database. The study participant will not receive any data collection results from this study.

BENEFITS OF THE STUDY

No individual benefits are expected for subjects who participate in this study.

RISK, STRESS OR DISCOMFORT

The recorded audio may contain sounds that the study participant does not want shared, which presents a privacy risk. Please see the privacy information section below for additional information.

While recording sounds for the study, the study participant may feel discomforts such as being tired, breathless, hoarse, or otherwise uncomfortable. To account for this potential discomfort, the study participant will be permitted to take as much time as needed between recording sounds. Furthermore, the study participant may end any section early and continue to the next task. We also recommend having water available during the study to help alleviate any discomfort.

Because the study involves producing sounds like a cough, there is a risk of spreading germs. To reduce this risk, we will ask the study participant to produce the sounds away from other humans and disinfect the recording device and nearby surfaces when the study is complete.

PRIVACY INFORMATION

Taking part in this study is voluntary and the study participant may stop at any time. Information about the study participant and all audio recordings are confidential.

The researchers will manage annotation of the audio recordings. Annotation will include tasks like listening to the audio recording, verifying the type of sound in the recording, and adding labels that correspond to the start and end points of certain audio portions. This data will be used by our research team to develop and improve the cough algorithm.

The recordings and their annotations may be shared with other researchers for future use in developing audio health sensing algorithms (see next section). Any sharing of data will be managed by the research team.

Government or university staff sometimes review studies such as this one to make sure they are being done safely and legally. If a review of this study takes place, the study participant’s records may be examined. The reviewers will protect the study participant’s privacy. The study records will not be used to put the study participant at legal risk of harm.

The study team may want to contact the study participant about taking part in additional data collection sessions for this study or future related studies. The study participant is not obligated to participate in any of these future studies.

USING DATA IN FUTURE RESEARCH

The information that we obtain from the study participant might be used for future studies. We may remove anything that might identify the study participant from the information. If we do so, that information may then be used for future research studies or given to another investigator without getting additional permission from the study participant. It is also possible that in the future we may want to use or share study information that might identify the study participant. If we do, a review board will decide whether we need to get additional permission from the study participant.

CONTACT

If you have questions about the study or feel you have been harmed by it, you may contact the research team at UWCoughTest@gmail.com.

If you have questions about your rights as a research subject, you can call the University of Washington Human Subjects Division at (206) 543-0098. We will give you a copy of this form for your records.
Parent's email address (we'll email a copy of the consent form) *
example@example.com
Please enter a name to identify this study participant (i.e. the participant's name). If this study participant completes the study again in the future, please make sure to use this same name again. *
Can the study participant (the person who will be coughing) read and comprehend English? *

Yes No
That's ok! We ask that you please assist your child with completing this study.
Study Participant Assent Form

Please have the study participant read the below description of the study. If the study participant agrees to continue with the study, he or she should click the checkbox below.
University of Washington

Informational Note for Minor Assent for

“Forced Cough/Non-Cough Sounds Collection for Cough Detection Algorithm"

OVERVIEW

We are asking you to participate in a research study. Once you have completed reading the note, you can decide whether to participate in the study. There is no penalty or loss of benefits if you choose not to participate. Please tell your parent if you would not like to participate.

PROCEDURES

The study will include 3 parts:

1)     Study questionnaire about your basic demographics (I.e. age, gender, ethnicity) and health

2)     Recording 20-25 forced (or voluntary) coughs

3)     (optional) Recording 5-10 samples of speech, throat clears, and laughter

Your parent will help you with any portion of the study where you need assistance.

Should you feel uncomfortable at any point during the study, you or your parent may stop the study by simply exiting the browser or skipping the remaining sections and submitting the results.

Device Type
What type of device are you using? *

Computer Tablet Phone
What type of tablet is it? (If you're not 100% sure, take your best guess) *
What type of phone is it? *

Voluntary Coughs

We will now record a few samples of your cough. If you would like to hear some example coughs, click play on the SoundCloud link below.
First, practice coughing a few times.

Next, you will record 2 single and 2 double coughs.

A single cough has one cough "segment" while a double cough has two cough "segments". See the image and listen to the single and double cough examples below.
Now it's your turn to record your single and double coughs. Simply click "record" to start the recording and "stop" to end it. Please do not cover your mouth while you cough.

Please note:
1. You may need to use a different browser if the record button doesn't load. For example, you must use Safari on iPhones.
2. Click "allow" if you are prompted for permission to use the microphone.
After finishing a recording, please press play to make sure it has been saved correctly.

Note - the JotForm voice recorder widget has been known to buggy. As a result, you may need to record your sample more than once. If the record button continues to not work, you may just skip that sample.

You may take as much time as you need between recording samples. If you feel any physical discomfort, you may stop early and move on to the next task.
Single Cough 1
Single Cough 2
Double Cough 1
Double Cough 2

Muffled Coughs

Now you will perform 4 "muffled coughs". For these coughs, please make a fist and hold it in front of your mouth as you cough (as you would if you were in public).

Just like the last page, please listen to each recording to make sure it was recorded correctly. You may re-record any sample as many times as you like.

You may take as much time as you need between recording samples. If you feel any physical discomfort, you may stop early and move on to the next task.
Muffled Single Cough 1
Muffled Single Cough 2
Muffled Double Cough 1
Muffled Double Cough 2

Copy the Cough

Now you will play a round of "Copy the Cough".

First, listen to the soundcloud example. Next, record a cough in a manner as similar to the example as possible. Please do not cover your mouth as you cough.

This may be difficult to do. That's ok! Simply do your best to recreate the sound.

Just like the last page, please listen to each recording to make sure it was recorded correctly. You may re-record any sample as many times as you like.

You may take as much time as you need between recording samples. If you feel any physical discomfort, you may stop early and move on to the next task.

There are 12 examples below.
Copy the Cough 1
Copy the Cough 2
Copy the Cough 3
Copy the Cough 4

Copy the Cough part 2
Copy the Cough 5
Copy the Cough 6
Copy the Cough 7
Copy the Cough 8

Copy the Cough part 3
Copy the Cough 9
Copy the Cough 10
Copy the Cough 11
Copy the Cough 12

Next Steps

We've now finished all of the coughs for the study. However, if you are willing, there are 3 more tasks (Speech, Throat Clear, Laughter) we'd like you to complete. They should take about 5 minutes.
What would you like to do? *

Continue to Speech, Throat Clear and Laughter tasks (Click the Next Button) End study now

Speech

Below are 7 sentences chosen from the phonetically-balanced Harvard Sentences.

Please record yourself reading each sentence.

Please also review each recording to make sure it was recorded correctly. You may re-record any of the samples as many times as you'd like.
"The birch canoe slid on the smooth planks."
"Glue the sheet to the dark blue background."
"It's easy to tell the depth of a well."
"These days a chicken leg is a rare dish."
"Rice is often served in round bowls."
"The juice of lemons makes fine punch."
"The box was thrown beside the parked truck."

Copy the Throat Clear

We will now record a few samples of you clearing your throat. We'll have you play the "copy the __" game again as we've found it's the easiest way to ensure variation in the recorded samples.

First, listen to the soundcloud example. Next, record a throat clear in a manner as similar to the example as possible. As before, this may be difficult to do, simply do your best.

Please make sure you don't cough while recording these samples.

Just like the other pages, please listen to each recording to make sure it was recorded correctly. You may re-record any sample as many times as you like.

You may take as much time as you need between recording samples. If you feel any physical discomfort, you may stop early and move on to the next task.
Copy the Throat Clear 1
Copy the Throat Clear 2
Copy the Throat Clear 3
Copy the Throat Clear 4
Copy the Throat Clear 5

Copy the Laugh

Now for the fun one! Again we'll have you play the "copy" game, but this time with laughter.

First, listen to the soundcloud example. Next, record a laugh in a manner as similar to the example as possible. As before, simply do your best.

Just like the other pages, please listen to each recording to make sure it was recorded correctly. You may re-record any sample as many times as you like.
Copy the Laugh 1
Copy the Laugh 2
Copy the Laugh 3
Copy the Laugh 4
Copy the Laugh 5

Should be Empty:

Health and Demographic Questionnaire