Wavelet-based Analysis of Nocturnal Snoring in Apneic Patients Undergoing Polysomnography

Snoring is a typical inspiratory sound appearing during sleep, mostly in male patients. Snoring may also occur in conjunction with a disordered sleep pattern and can be associated with a range of symptoms, including obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). OSAS is a type of sleep apnea due to upper airway obstruction, during persistent ventilatory movements and it can result in cessation of breathing. The standard diagnosis of OSAS comprises a full nocturnal session in a sleep laboratory. Many efforts have been made towards the development of less expensive testing methods and snoring analysis constitutes one of these methods. The aim of the current study is to explore any possible relationship between snoring analysis using wavelet transform and apnea syndrome. Snoring sounds were acquired overnight in a sleep laboratory, together with the polysomnography (PSG) testing. The analysis was based on the remarks of a specialized doctor on the PSG results.