How to tell if it's snoring or sleep apnea?

I spoke with a customer a few days ago who sounded completely beat. You know, the type of exhaustion no amount of coffee can cure. She wasn't even calling about her SleepPhones® headphones, but because she was worried about her husband's snoring. She couldn't tell if he was just a loud snorer or if something worse was happening. I completely understand as it's a tough distinction to make when it's the middle of the night and you're just trying to sleep. As I told her, that is a question I hear more often than you'd imagine.

Most people think snoring is just an annoyance, like a squeaky door. And sure, it sometimes is. It's just the sound of soft tissue vibrating, but it's rhythmic and predictable. You can almost time your own breathing to it. But sleep apnea? That feels different and sounds much more jagged as it's less of a sound and more of a struggle.

If you notice the breathing pattern suddenly stop, like the person seems to hold their breath, then followed by a sudden, violent gasp or snort, that's a huge red flag. It's not just snoring, it's the body in panic mode trying to regain oxygen. The real indicator isn't just the noise, but the aftermath. If you're waking up with a headache or dragging yourself through the day despite "sleeping" for 8 hours, your body is telling you that the "rest" wasn't actually restorative.

Now I'm just a customer service specialist, not a doctor; I'm unable to tell you what's going on medically. But if you're noticing those gasps or feeling that crushing fatigue, please speak with a professional. If it's just regular snoring, our SleepPhones® headphones are great for drowning out the noise so you can get rest, but don't use them to ignore something potentially serious.

Find more answers on our "Frequently Asked Questions" page.