Long-term average spectrum measures of consecutive snore sounds from different sources determined by drug-induced...

The goal of this study was to investigate the value of the long-term average spectrum in the acoustic analysis of snore sounds arising from different sources in the upper airway.

Long-term average spectrum was used to analyze sequences of 10 consecutive snore sounds that had been divided into 2 groups, soft-palate type and lateral-wall type, according to the vibration site generating the snore sounds and the patterns of soft tissue collapse in the upper airway as identified by drug-induced sleep endoscopy. We calculated the first spectral peak, mean spectral energy, high-frequency energy, 0-1 kHz spectral energy, 1-5 kHz spectral energy, and 0-1 kHz/1-5 kHz difference from each group and compared the differences between them.

All parameters except mean spectral energy showed significant differences between the 2 groups. The first spectral peak of less than 265.53 Hz, and the 0-1k/1-5 kHz difference of less than -11.6 dB strongly suggests soft-palate-type snore sounds.

Long-term average spectrum has potential application for snore sound source identification. We recommend using first spectral peak and a 0-1 kHz/1-5 Hz difference to identify soft-palate-type snore sounds.

Peng H, Xu H, Xu Z, Jia R, Yu H. Long-term average spectrum measures of consecutive snore sounds from different sources determined by drug-induced sleep endoscopy. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(1):145-150.