Validation of snoring detection using a smartphone app

Abstract

Purpose Snoring is closely related to obstructive sleep apnea in adults. The increasing abundance and availability of smartphone technology has facilitated the examination and monitoring of snoring at home through snoring apps. However, the accuracy of snoring detection by snoring apps is unclear. This study explored the snoring detection accuracy of Snore Clock—a paid snoring detection app for smartphones. Methods Snoring rates were detected by smartphones that had been installed with the paid app Snore Clock. The app provides information on the following variables: sleep duration, snoring duration, snoring loudness (in dB), maximum snoring loudness (in dB), and snoring duration rate (%). In brief, we first reviewed the snoring rates detected by Snore Clock; thereafter, an ear, nose, and throat specialist reviewed the actual snoring rates by using the playback of the app recordings. Results In total, the 201 snoring records of 11 patients were analyzed. Snoring rates measured by Snore Clock and those measured manually were closely correlated (r = 0.907). The mean snoring detection accuracy rate of Snore Clock was 95%, with a positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity of 65% ± 35%, 97% ± 4%, 78% ± 25%, and 97% ± 4%, respectively. However, the higher the snoring rates, the higher were the false-negative rates for the app. Conclusion Snore Clock is compatible with various brands of smartphones and has a high predictive value for snoring. Based on the strong correlation between Snore Clock and manual approaches for snoring detection, these findings have validated that Snore Clock has the capacity for at-home snoring detection.

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“…The correlation between SnoreClock and the manual method for detecting snoring was 0.907 (p<0.001). The results indicated that SnoreClock is a highly accurate app for detecting snoring, with a mean accuracy rate of 94.6% in our previous study [ 26 ]. This app was used to collect time-series data regarding snoring rates in this study.…”

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“…The SnoreClock app used in the study by Chiang et al (2021) 26 , as well as the SnoreLab of the present protocol, provides data on snoring duration and intensity, time of sleep recording, and snoring duration rate (%). Both apps possess a feature that allows users to focus on specific snoring events, facilitating the playback of the most noticeable snoring sounds.…”

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“…Alongside, the SnoreClock smartphone application is of high value upon identifying snoring, and had been validated in the previous study. 20 …”

“…Since our previous study had validated the SnoreClock smartphone application's accuracy upon detecting snoring rates at home along with its accessibility and user friendliness, 20 it had been implemented for recording the snoring rates in this current study. All patients were instructed to place their smartphones within 30 cm of the head end of their body.…”