There is a relationship between the degree of coughing and the sound made when coughing.
A hoarse cough with hoarseness may be inflammation of the vocal cords or a tumour compressing the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
a cockle-like cough which may be whooping cough or laryngeal disease.
a metallic sound when coughing, which may be a chest tumour.
Therefore, a cough with an abnormal sound can be helpful in making a definitive diagnosis.