Speak up and help beat Covid-19

The Department of Health and Social Care is seeking volunteers to take part in a new Covid-19 study.

Participants will be asked to submit their voice sounds, which will be used to explore how algorithms can use voice data, including cough recordings, to detect Covid-19.

Using voice sounds to identify if someone is more likely to need a test could help find more cases, and help slow the spread of Covid-19.

Anyone over the age of 18 who has had a COVID-19 test (lateral flow or PCR) within the past 72 hours can take part. You’ll need your NHS test barcode ID to take part. If you used an at-home test kit you must have registered your result online.

If you’d like to take part in this study and have recently had an NHS Covid-19 test you should use your own laptop, desktop computer, smartphone or tablet to visit speakuptobeatcovid.uk. If your test was part of another study, see the Already taking part in COVID-19 research section for more information.

You’ll then be asked:

• to read and accept a privacy notice that explains how your information will be used
• for your agreement to take part in the study

The form will ask a few basic questions about you and your health. These questions, such as your height or first language, are all things that can affect how your voice sounds.

You’ll need to record a short series of sounds using the microphone on your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

This will include a forced cough, breathing sounds and a defined sentence. Guidance on screen will help you through these steps. It should take you five to 10 minutes to complete.

This study will not offer any medical advice. The sole purpose of the study is to collect research data.

To take part, you need:

• a smartphone or tablet, laptop or desktop computer
• to be connected to the internet
• your Covid-19 NHS test kit barcode number (this should be an 11-character code in the format ABC12345678), or if you are taking part in another study your test ID or study ID (these may be in a different character code format)

Changing your mind

It is up to you to decide if you would like to take part in this study. If you decide to take part but change your mind when completing the form, you can exit the website at any stage. Voice recordings and information that are not submitted are not retained.

To withdraw from the study, contact ciab2021@dhsc.gov.uk and quote your NHS test barcode number, or equivalent test/study ID if you are taking part in another study. You must keep your NHS test barcode number or study ID as this is the only way we will be able to identify your data.

Benefitting from taking part in the study

There are no monetary or other direct benefits to you from taking part in this study. However, the information you contribute may be useful in the fight against COVID-19.

If something goes wrong or you wish to complain

If you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of the study, would like to report an adverse event or if you wish to complain formally, you can email ciab2021@dhsc.gov.uk.

Photo Credit – Christin Hume