KTH Royal Institute of Technology researchers model snoring mechanisms

Researchers from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden have developed a 3D computational model to better understand the physical mechanisms behind snoring. Published in Physics of Fluids, the study aims to identify how airflow, tissue motion, and sound generation interact within the upper airway.

While much medical research focuses on sleep apnea, ordinary snoring can still be debilitating for individuals and their partners. The researchers focused specifically on the soft palate, the spongy tissue located behind the hard palate. By simulating dynamic airflows through the mouth, the team found that the loudest snoring sounds result from unsteady airflow across these soft tissues, providing new insights into the dominant mechanisms of sound production.