If you snore heavily, wake unrefreshed or your partner has noticed pauses in your breathing, a sleep study is the way to find out what is happening while you sleep. A home sleep study lets you do this in your own bed rather than overnight in a clinic. Aer Healthcare arranges home sleep studies across Australia, with results reported by a sleep physician.
Aer Healthcare keeps the process simple: you book online, choose your date, and the equipment is delivered to your door. Here is what happens at each stage.
1. Before the sleep study: booking, referral and delivery
Booking is done online, and the dates are flexible. You look at the calendar, choose a night that fits your schedule, then wait for the kit to arrive. During booking you provide:
- your medical history and a short set of sleep questionnaires
- your Medicare details
- your delivery address
- your referral, if you already have one
- whether you'd like the optional tooth grinding (bruxism) add-on
During booking, Aer Healthcare checks your answers against the Medicare criteria, so you know before you go ahead whether you're likely to be eligible for Medicare. Final eligibility is confirmed by the sleep physician.
A referral from a GP or specialist medical doctor is needed before a sleep study can go ahead. If you don't have one, Aer Healthcare can organise a GP referral for you for a low fee, so there is no need to book a separate appointment.
The equipment is then delivered to your home. Some sleep study services ask you to attend a clinic to have the equipment fitted, then travel home with the sensors already attached. With home delivery, you set up in the comfort and privacy of your own space and sleep in your own bed.
The study used by Aer Healthcare is a full sleep study at home, which records much more than breathing alone. Small sensors measure:
- brain waves, eye movement and chin muscle activity, which show when you are asleep and which stage of sleep you are in
- airflow through the nose and mouth
- breathing effort, using soft belts around the chest and stomach
- blood oxygen levels, using a sensor on your finger
- heart rhythm
- leg movement and body position
- snoring
If you choose the bruxism add-on, the study also looks at jaw muscle activity during sleep to check for tooth grinding and clenching. This is useful if you wake with a sore jaw, headaches or worn teeth.
Because brain activity is recorded, the study can show how long you actually slept and how often your sleep was disrupted, not just how you breathed.
The kit comes with clear instructions showing where each sensor goes. Read through them before your night so you know what to expect. The full booking process is explained at https://www.snoringtreatment.com.au.
2. The night of the study
On the night, follow your usual evening routine as closely as you can. The aim is to record a normal night's sleep, so there is no need to change your bedtime or try to sleep differently.
A few things help the study go smoothly:
- Shower beforehand and leave your skin free of creams, oils and lotions so the sensors stick well.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine in the evening unless they are part of your normal routine, and mention them if they are.
- Take your regular medicines as usual unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
- Attach the sensors following the instructions, then switch the device on before getting into bed.
Most people worry they won't sleep with sensors on. You don't need a perfect night. Even a lighter or more broken sleep than usual gives useful information. If a sensor comes loose during the night, reattach it if you can and go back to sleep.
In the morning, remove the sensors, switch off the device and pack it up as instructed so it can be returned.
3. After the study: scoring and your report
Once the equipment is returned, the recording is downloaded and the night is scored. This means every breathing event, change in sleep stage, drop in oxygen and arousal from sleep is marked through the whole night.
A sleep physician then reviews the data and provides a diagnosis and a list of recommendations. If you chose the bruxism add-on, the bruxism analysis is included in the same report.
The report is sent to your referring doctor (or recommending dental professional), who will talk you through the results and the next steps. Depending on what the study shows, those steps may include treatment for sleep apnoea, such as CPAP or a mandibular advancement splint, or simpler changes if the study shows snoring without significant apnoea.
Signs it may be time for a sleep study
Consider a sleep study if you or your partner notice:
- pauses in breathing, followed by gasping or choking
- loud, regular snoring most nights
- heavy daytime sleepiness, even after a full night in bed
- waking with headaches
- high blood pressure that is hard to control
Aer Healthcare arranges home sleep studies across Australia, with results reported by a sleep physician.
Find out more about a home sleep studyhttps://www.snoringtreatment.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a home sleep study as accurate as a study in a clinic?
A full home sleep study records the same main signals as a clinic study, including brain waves, so it can measure sleep stages and how long you actually slept. The difference is that no one is watching overnight, so the sensors are set up by you at home. If the result is unclear, your doctor may suggest repeating the study.
What if I don't sleep well on the night?
Most people sleep less well than usual with sensors on, and that is expected. A broken night still gives useful information. If too little sleep is recorded to give a reliable result, the study can be repeated.
Do I need a referral for a sleep study?
Yes. A referral from a GP or specialist medical doctor is needed first. If you don't have one, Aer Healthcare can organise a GP referral for a low fee. Sleep apnoea is diagnosed by a sleep physician from the sleep study, not by a GP. The process is explained at https://www.snoringtreatment.com.au.
Can a home sleep study check for teeth grinding?
Yes. Bruxism testing is an optional add-on you can select when you book. It checks for tooth grinding and clenching during sleep, alongside the main sleep study.
Who gets my results?
The sleep physician's report is sent to your referring doctor, who will go through the results with you and discuss what to do next. You can opt in to receive a copy of the report yourself.
