A team of researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology and Florida State University has developed an in-line microphone and application that when utilized with an iPhone can analyze breathing patterns and help to detect sleeping disorders.
Using a microphone-equipped pair of headphones and smartphone by the bedside or closer, the researchers were able to isolate ambient noise through mono and stereo recording to study participants’ breathing. The breathing was measured within half a breath per minute of traditional methods such as a chest-worn respirator. The development of this application will help individuals to monitor sleep quality more easily and at a friendlier cost than sensor-based devices and will aid in the diagnoses of health problems like sleep apnea.