The Annoyance of Snoring and Psychoacoustic Parameters: a Step Towards an Objective Measurement

Overview

Journal Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol

Specialty Otorhinolaryngology

Date 2011 Dec 15

PMID 22167475

Citations 13

Authors

Christian Rohrmeier

Michael Herzog

Frank Haubner

Thomas S Kuehnel

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find out whether objective analysis of snoring sounds (sound pressure level and psychoacoustic parameters) correlates with the subjective rating by participants with respect to perceived annoyance and hence whether it is useful. 43 participants, aged 22-65 years with normal hearing, were asked to rate 60 snoring sounds from simple and obstructive snorers according to their level of annoyance. A correlation analysis according to Spearman was then performed on objectively calculated parameters. These were the A-weighted sound pressure level, the psychoacoustic parameters of loudness, sharpness, fluctuation strength and roughness and psychoacoustic annoyance (PA) calculated from those parameters. The subjective ratings showed high, highly significant correlations with, in particular, the mean A-weighted sound pressure level (r = 0.88; p < 0.01), the 5th percentile of psychoacoustic loudness (r = 0.89; p < 0.01) and psychoacoustic annoyance (r = 0.80; p < 0.01). These parameters seem to provide information about the degree of annoyance that is objectively measurable and independent of the snorer's bed partner. Further studies should follow in order to confirm these results, find out their generalizability and establish reference values.

Citing Articles

Effect of hypoglossal nerve stimulation on snoring: an evaluation using objective acoustic parameters.

Fischer R, Vielsmeier V, Kuehnel T, Bohr C, Hintschich C, Spoerl S J Clin Sleep Med. 2024; 20(3):363-370.

PMID: 38426848 PMC: 11019209. DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.10868.

The Annoying Nature of Snoring Sounds Is Not Only about Intensity: A Pilot Study on Exposed Test Subjects.

Huang Z, Aarab G, Ravesloot M, de Vries N, Hilgevoord A, Lobbezoo F J Clin Med. 2023; 12(7).

PMID: 37048713 PMC: 10095263. DOI: 10.3390/jcm12072630.

Barbed Pharyngoplasty for Snoring: Does It Meet the Expectations? A Systematic Review.

Moffa A, Giorgi L, Carnuccio L, Cassano M, Lugo R, Baptista P Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(3).

PMID: 36767010 PMC: 9914261. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11030435.

Are annoyance scores based on sound pressure levels suitable for snoring assessment in the home environment?.

Fischer R, Unverdorben F, Kuehnel T, Vielsmeier V, Spanier G, Marcrum S Sleep Breath. 2020; 25(1):417-424.

PMID: 32462274 PMC: 7987700. DOI: 10.1007/s11325-020-02108-y.

Snoring: is a reliable assessment possible?.

Fischer R, Kuehnel T, Vielsmeier V, Haubner F, Mueller S, Rohrmeier C Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2020; 277(4):1227-1233.

PMID: 32016523 PMC: 7072038. DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-05813-2.

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