Automatic identification of wheezing in auscultated lung sounds

Asthma is a chronic lung disease, occurring in about 10% of children and 8% of adults [1]. It inflames and tightens the airways, and causes wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, and chest tightness. Without proper management, asthma can result in frequent emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and premature deaths. In 2010, almost 1.8 million patients visited an ED for asthma-related care and 439,000 people were hospitalized in the United States [2]. The high number of ED visits and hospitalizations underscores that asthma management remains a problem.