If you can't get used to a CPAP mask, there are other options: mouth guards that move the jaw forward, positional aids that keep you off your back, surgery, and devices like SleepEase Pro that train the throat muscles. If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, talk to your doctor before you change or stop any treatment.
Why do so many people give up on CPAP?
A CPAP works by blowing air through a mask to hold your airway open. When people stop using it, it's rarely because of the idea. It's because of the nights:
- The mask leaks or slips, and you wake up to fix it.
- The machine hums, and the hose sits between you and your partner.
- Dry mouth, a stuffy nose and strap marks in the morning.
- Traveling means a bag of its own, an outlet and distilled water.
And it never changes why the airway closes. It holds it open for as long as you wear the mask.
Mouth guards
A mandibular advancement device pushes the lower jaw forward, which pulls the tongue away from the back of the throat. Some people do well with it. Others get a sore jaw or teeth, and custom-made versions can cost from about $70 to more than $1,000.
Positional aids
If you mainly snore on your back, a pillow or wearable that keeps you on your side can help. It does nothing for snoring that happens in every position.
Surgery
Procedures that remove or tighten tissue in the throat are an option for some people. They come with recovery time, cost and no guarantee that the snoring stays away.
Muscle training with SleepEase Pro
SleepEase Pro is a small device you wear under your chin on a soft patch. When it senses that your throat muscles relax, it responds with gentle pulses that train them. There's no mask, no hose and nothing in your mouth. It fits in your pocket with its charging case.
Muscles take time to get stronger. Most people notice quieter nights within a few weeks, and the full effect shows after 3 to 4 months of nightly use.
How do the options compare?
| SleepEase Pro | CPAP | Mouth guard | Surgery | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trains the weak muscles | Yes | No | No | No |
| Nothing on your face or in your mouth | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| No operation, no recovery | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Silent all night | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fits in your pocket | Yes | No | Yes | N/A |
How to choose
Start with what you'll actually use every night. A treatment that sits in a drawer doesn't help anyone. If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, bring your doctor into the decision.
SleepEase Pro comes with 100 nights to try it at home. See the Complete Treatment Program.
