Screening for snoring and sleep apnoea
A simple but extrememly effective test device is now available which you can use overnight in your own home.
ApneaLink test device
The ApneaLink test device consists of a nasal cannula (small tube) connected to a data recorder. It records every breath you take during the night. Fom this information, we can determine how much snoring was present, as well as the likelihood of sleep apnoea.
What does it cost, and how do I get it?
- The cost of the screening service is $50 plus postage.
- If you would like us to post the ApneaLink to you, we are happy to do so using the Express Post service ($10 each way).
- You may return it by post, in which case we will send you a test report with some recommendations.
- Alternatively you may wish to make an appointment to discuss the test result and any treatment options that may be relevant to you.
- To arrange a screening test, click here:
What does the test result look like?
The ApneaLink produces a statistical summary of the test, including:
- an indication of the risk of sleep apnoea,
- the number of breaths recorded,
- the number of snoring events detected,
- the number of apneas detected if any, and more...
It is also possible to see a detailed view of the breathing right through the night. In this view it is clear to see when a person's breathing becomes restricted, and obvious when they stop breathing for a time.
Example of restricted breathing with heavy snoring:
Example of an apnoea followed by big breaths to catch up:
Is the ApneaLink test the same as a sleep study?
No, the ApneaLink is a screening device and is not generally considered adequate to positively diagnose sleep apnoea. While the ApneaLink test result correlates with the result of a full sleep study in a sleep lab in over 90% of cases, a full polysomnographic sleep study is the recommended test for positively diagnosing sleep apnoea. This requires a referral from your GP to a sleep specialist. An ApneaLink test result which indicates a high risk of sleep apnoea will help you to get your referral for a full sleep study.
The test may reveal the presence of snoring but a low risk of sleep apnoea, in which case you would consider treatment for snoring but not sleep apnoea.