Detection of obstructive sleep apnea through auditory display of heart rate variability

Abstract

A data set of interbeat interval times is read into a music software synthesis program to become the basis of a "soundtrack" or auditory display. Here the authors present examples of the sonifications, and discuss potential advantages in listening to, as opposed to viewing, heart rate variability data. This method treats the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea as a problem of orchestration and melody.