differences programming a MCU and DSP

Hello everybody,

i´ve got a question for you. In a project we like to develop a wireless-multi-sensor-module for ambient assisted living and collect several different environment conditions like temperature, relativ humidity and such things. Yesterday a partner company asked me, if we can install a micro and analyse the sounds to find out if someone calls for help for example if he/she has falen in the bathroom.

I´m quite sure this will be far too much to do it with an MCU, isn´t it?

I´ve never programmed an DSP before so i like to know if there are wide variations in the programming of a MCU and  a DSP? Is it also possible to update the software of the DSP via ZigBee (for example by storing the code in an external non-volatile memory and programm the DSP with the content of the memory during a reset)?

Thanks for your answers

Roldi