Will a White Noise Machine Help With Snoring?

Sleeping next to a partner who snores is not only frustrating but may even cause you to lose sleep, placing a strain on your relationship. Snoring is an issue that affects an estimated 40% – 50% of the US population. It’s no wonder why anti-snoring products are a multi-billion dollar industry. As for solutions, there’s everything from dietary supplements to snoring mouthpieces, and then there’s the white noise machine.

White noise machines are not exactly cutting-edge technology. In fact, they have been used for decades to help not only those who deal with a snoring partner, but also to help remedy issues including tinnitus, covering traffic noise, help with relaxation, or to help babies fall asleep among several other uses.

The question is, can white noise therapy help to cancel out the sound of snoring? The answer greatly depends on the severity of your partner’s snoring. For mild snoring, a white noise machine may be all that it takes to find relief and get a good night’s rest. If their snoring is so so loud that it can be heard from several rooms away, you would have to adjust the volume of your machine to a level that would be too uncomfortable to sleep, making it ineffective.

Before going out and spending $50+ on a white noise machine just to determine if it’s an effective solution in your situation, you may want to consider using these items that you may have within your home which generate white noise at little to no cost. If you find that white noise effectively masks the sound of snoring, consider upgrading to a machine that allows you to adjust the sound frequency or even change to natural sounds such as rain, thunder, crashing ocean waves, songbirds, etc.

(Somewhat)Free Sources of White Noise

Ceiling Fan

Not only can a ceiling fan provide air circulation, cooling, and light, it also produces white noise. The hum of a ceiling fan and sometimes off-balance rocking can be a soothing source of white noise. The older and less expensive models produce the more white noise while the newer, more expensive models are typically not nearly as effective. While the sound of a ceiling fan can be somewhat faint, it may be just enough to mask your partners snoring and allow you to sleep undisturbed.

Television

An excellent source of white noise is your television. If you have a TV in your bedroom, give this a try. Tune your television to a channel that does not have a signal. Such channels typically show white/gray/black flashing dots which are often referred to as “snow”. Before going to bed, turn on the television to this station and increase the volume until the sound of their snoring is masked. Understand that adjusting the volume too loud may be counterproductive and actually keep you awake. The idea is to strike a balance and mask the sound of snoring so that it doesn’t become distracting and not being so loud that it keeps you awake.

There are of course a couple caveats to using a TV for white noise. The first issue that you may encounter is the presence of light. Most of us prefer to sleep in the dark and the light emitting from the TV screen could become an issue.

Another inherent issue with TV white noise is energy consumption. Depending on the type and size of your TV, it may consume 200+ watts of power per hour. Running a TV for 8 hours a night can become quite expensive when compared to alternative white noise sources.

Radio

Similar to a television, a radio can also produce soothing white noise. To achieve this, simply tune your radio to a station with no reception. Try this on both AM and FM frequencies as there’s a slight difference in sound. Adjust the volume to a comfortable level that helps to cancel out the sound of your partners snoring. Once again, don’t adjust the volume too loud as this will keep you awake.

The two advantages that radio has over television are that it doesn’t produce light and it’s very inexpensive to operate, costing only pennies per night.

Computer

A number of websites offer white noise sound generators. These sound generators are often free and allow you to adjust settings such as volume, intensity, and even the type of noise. There are several sites with excellent interfaces that work from your browser and are easy to use. All you need is a computer, internet connection, and a good set of speakers. After locating a site that you prefer and setting the sound to the desired level, be sure to turn off your monitor to save power and prevent distractions from the light.

While such sites offer an excellent alternative to a white noise machine, they do come with a few issues. Much like a television, your computer consumes a bit of power which can become expensive. Also, those who do not have unlimited data may find overage charges on their bill. Another disadvantage is that you may not have a computer in your bedroom, making running sound from another room difficult.

As mentioned, there are a number of websites that offer free white noise generators. To locate one, try searching for terms such as “white noise generator” or “white noise player”.

Smart Phone or Tablet App

A “smarter” alternative to using a computer is to use an app on your smartphone or a tablet. Like the desktop computer, there are several apps that can be downloaded, often at no charge. These apps are available for both Android and iOS. For improved performance, consider pairing your smartphone with a sound box using Bluetooth. This will provide better sound quality and will also allow you to place the speaker in any desired position around your bedroom.

Since such devices use very little power, these can be an affordable source of white noise.

The one disadvantage of using a smartphone is, of course, the consumption of data whether you are streaming through Wifi or your data plan, ensure that you are aware of how much data the app that you choose uses and what your data plan covers.

Buying a White Noise Machine

After giving these suggestions a try, you may discover that white noise helps to mask the sound of your partners snoring. If this is the case, it may be time to invest in a white noise machine.

When shopping for a machine, you will encounter an overwhelming number of choices.

One product that I really like is the Dohm Classic by Marpac. Marpac invented the white noise machine over 50 years ago and is still one of the most popular models out there.

The reason why I prefer the Dohm Classic is that it produces white noise using a fan instead of electronically with speakers. The sound is natural and very soothing and doesn’t have a detectable loop as you may experience with other electronic devices.

Check out my review on the Dohm Classic for more information.

When White Noise Doesn’t Work

After trying some or all of these ideas, you may find that nothing seems to drown out your partners snoring. When this occurs, you may be tempted to give earplugs a try. Unfortunately, earplugs may also prevent you from hearing your alarm clock in the morning or may prevent you from hearing the sound of a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm which can be dangerous.

Perhaps instead of trying to mask the sound of your partners snoring, you can prevent it all together. While there are a number of different anti-snoring products on the market, I’ve found that the Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) is quite effective and will allow both partners to sleep well.

A MAD costs less than $100 and is placed inside of the snorer’s mouth, gently holding the jaw forward. The forward positioning of the jaw opens up a restricted airway and prevents the sound of snoring. Instead of masking the issue, you can eliminate the source. Here’s an excellent comparison list of all snoring mouthpieces that are available.

There are of course a few precautions to take before using such a product. If your partner’s snoring is loud and they also experience pausing in their breathing, they may have a medical condition known as sleep apnea which should be diagnosed by a qualified medical professional.

About the Smart Nora Snoring Solution

The Story Behind Smart Nora

Every product has a story behind it, including Smart Nora.

Behrouz Hariri, a gentleman from Toronto, Canada, is the co-founder of Smart Nora. He has a background in product design and consulting. Mr. Hariri accredits his father with coming up with the idea in order to solve his own snoring problem.

Taking his father’s idea to the next level, Hariri further developed the Smart Nora in his garage and tested it in bedrooms of friends and family. A few months later, he launched a Kickstarter campaign on October 14, 2015, in an effort to raise money for further product development. Not surprisingly, the campaign had reached 40% of its goal within the first day. A month later, on November 12th, Hariri had over 3,400 backers and raised over $800,000, making it one of the more successful Kickstarter campaigns.

While several factors come into play, the success of Hariri’s Kickstarter campaign may be attributed to the fact that an estimated 40% to 50% of adults deal with snoring on a nightly basis. Providing an innovative solution to a common problem and presenting an effective pitch video is a surefire way to realize success on Kickstarter.

While Smart Nora is a young company, it has already made several appearances in publications and television shows such as Reuters, NBC News, Wired, Maxim, Taxi, Business Insider, and Van Winkles among two dozen others.

What is Smart Nora?

The Smart Nora Smart Snoring Solution is an innovative anti-snoring device that’s unlike anything that is currently on the market such as mouthpieces, chinstraps, nose strips, nose clips, throat spray, herbal remedies, etc. In fact, with Smart Nora, you don’t wear, ingest or attach anything to your body.

It’s an inflatable device that you slide under your pillow and it’s controlled by a small inconspicuous cordless transmitter,  named a “pebble”,  that rests on your nightstand and detects snoring. Once snoring is detected, the pebble transmits a signal to the inflatable device under your pillow and a silent pump is activated. This pump inflates or deflates the air pouch inside of the pillow which slowly raises or lowers your head up to 2″ over the course of 30 seconds. Smart Nora continuously listens and makes adjustments by raising or lowering your head until snoring is no longer heard. This adjustment process is ongoing throughout the night which keeps your snoring under control.

The movement of your head is very gradual, allowing you to sleep undisturbed.

But How Does it Stop Snoring?

This device sounds very interesting but how does raising or lowering the head control snoring?

In order to understand how the Smart Nora works, it’s important to first have an understanding of exactly why we snore.

While there are numerous causes of snoring, the most common cause is a partial collapse of the airway. As we sleep, our body and muscles relax which cause the airway to become narrow. As air rushes past a narrow opening, loose fatty tissues begin to collide with each other, causing the sound of snoring. While this is the most common cause of snoring, there are other conditions such as a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or other airway abnormalities that may contribute to or cause snoring. A partially collapsed airway is, however, the most common cause of snoring.

Raising or lowering the head stimulates the airway muscles, causing them to tighten and prevent the collision of fatty tissues.

During the developmental stages, Hariri asked friends and family members to test the Smart Nora prototypes and to keep a sleep journal to document their experience. Hariri claims that his product was so successful that those testing it hesitantly returned the prototypes to him because they experienced such great results. While this is not scientific evidence, it’s certainly an indicator that it may provide relief to snorers.

The concept of such a product successfully preventing snoring seems plausible. After all, scientific evidence shows that mandibular advancement devices work by holding the jaw forward and tightening the muscles in the airway. While Smart Nora takes a different approach, it targets muscles in the same area. Could this be the next generation of noninvasive anti-snoring devices?

Battery Life And Charging

The base unit actually comes with a battery installed within the soft case which provides power to the base unit which lasts only one night when unplugged. The pebble will last for up to seven days when unplugged from the base. According to the manufacturer, charge time is about 3 hours for both the base and pebble. The manufacturer further suggests keeping the base permanently plugged in for regular use. Charging the pebble is easy – just plug it into the base using the provided USB cord.

Visit Smart Nora Website

How Much Does Smart Nora Cost?

So how much will you pay for the Smart Nora? When the Kickstarter campaign was initially launched in 2015, the first backers were able to pre-order theirs for $179. Today, they are priced at $299 with an occasional discount of $41, bringing the total to $259 with free shipping to both the US and Canada. International shipping is also available for an additional charge.

While a bit pricey, if Smart Nora is actually effective, it may be worth every penny.

Guarantees and Warranties

Smart Nora comes with a 1-year limited warranty that covers manufacturer defects as well as a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.  The warranty is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase and covers material and workmanship under “normal use”.

As for the 30-day guarantee, Smart Nora INC. will refund your full purchase price if you are not fully satisfied. In order to receive a refund, you must return the device to its original condition within 30 days of purchase.

The guaranty and warranty are two attractive selling points.

Can Smart Nora Be Used to Treat Sleep Apnea?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 18 million adults in American have Sleep apnea which requires treatment from devices such as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (CPAP).

Smart Nora’s terms and conditions specifically state that their products are designed to provide you with snoring relief and/or reduced sounds of snoring. They further explain that Smart Nora is not a medical device nor is it regulated or approved by the FDA.

Furthermore, their FAQ page reiterates that it’s a non-medical device. However, it can be used by those with sleep apnea to reduce snoring but it should not be used to replace physician-prescribed treatment.

iOS and Android App

While fully functional without an app, Smart Nora can sync with your smartphone to provide audio recordings of your snoring as well as other information on your sleeping habits such as the number of hours you slept, the number of times Smart Nora was activated, and the peak decibel level of your snoring. This valuable information can help you to track and better understand the effectiveness of the Smart Nora.

As for the App, they offer the iOS version while the Android App is currently under development and is expected to be released in the coming months once the first batch is sent out. Because iOS users are approximately 70% of their customer base, Smart Nora decided to develop the iOS first.

When Will I Receive My SmartNora?

A common question asked by those who have placed a pre-order is “When will I receive my Smart Nora?”.

When initially launched, the company anticipated the first ship date to be in early June 2016, just in time for Father’s day. However, according to updates provided on their blog, this date was pushed out further as they worked to fine-tune their product. They also spent some time traveling to China and Japan in search of factories to produce the components that are used to create the Smart Nora and ultimately a factory that can assemble the finished product.

As of September 26, 2016, they are in pre-production and have produced the first 100 units which are currently going through Engineer Validation Testing and Quality Assurance. They are also submitting for FCC and CE certification.

That being said, the company is anticipating the first batch to ship out in November 2016. Those who ordered recently can expect a ship date of January 2017. According to their website, the company anticipates their shipments to go out on time. UPDATE: Smart Nora is currently available for purchase at their online store.

My Personal Review of Smart Nora

So far, I have shared all the information that I have gathered about the Smart Nora. After hoping to try the Smart Nora for several months, I finally had the opportunity to do so.

Arrival, Unpacking, and Setup

The Smart Nora arrived nestled within a box and was surrounded by a bubble wrapped exterior sheathing to protect the retail packaging. After taking off the bottom of the retail packaging, I was able to remove the gray soft case box which contained all of the system components. The case was fairly compact, measuring 10″ x 7″ x 4.5″. My initial impression was that the Smart Nora was well packaged and if the packaging is an indicator of product quality and performance, my expectations were already high.

The following items were included inside of the box:

• A base unit which contains an air pump controller
• A pillow insert with tubing attached
• One power adapter with two plug converters for use in multiple countries
• One USB Cable
• One “Pebble” sensor
• An overhead mount with extra double-sided mounting tape
• An instruction manual

A few minutes after arrival I had received an email from Smart Nora which included 2-minute setup video. Although the instructional manual provided sufficient setup information, the setup video gave a quick overview of the setup process. After watching the video, I read over the instructional manual that came inside of the package. Combining what I learned from the video and from reading the instructions, here are the 10 steps that I used to set up my Nora:

1. Remove all items from the soft case (with the exception of the control pump which was clearly labeled “Don’t remove from soft-case”
2. Insert the clear tubing into the base unit
3. Plug the power source into the base unit and plug into the wall
4. Ensure that the Pillow height is set to “High” and power on the base unit using the power button
5. Connect the USB cable to the base unit and then to the pebble
6. Allow the pebble to charge until green light stops flashing which indicates a full charge
7. Place the pillow insert under a queen size pillow (20″X 30″), ensuring that the panel is centered
8. Once pebble is charged (mine took about an hour) Unlock it and power it on. A solid white light will appear at the bottom and top of the pebble.
9. Lay down and press the Bluetooth button. Your head should rise for 45 seconds and fall for 15 seconds.
10. Store the base under your bed and mount the pebble on your headboard.

Before putting to use, my curiosity got the best of me and I had to find out exactly how the Smart Nora worked. I noticed that inside the pillow insert sleeve there was a plastic bladder in which the air tube was connected to. The sleeve was mounted by two small pieces of velcro, so I removed it to take a closer look.

The air bladder actually turned out to have two chambers in which expanded and contracted like an accordion when activated. I put the air bladder back inside of the pillow insert and activated the pump by replicating the sound of snoring. It seemed to take about 3-4 “snores” to activate the pump which slowly inflated to raise a total of 3.75″. The action was very slow and the sound of the pump was virtually undetectable. Before trying the Smart Nora, one of my concerns was the pump being too loud. This concern was quickly put to rest after hearing the pump activate which barely made a sound.

After satisfying my curiosity, I continued setting up my unit. At first, I considered placing the pebble on my nightstand but noticed that their website suggested using the pebble mount because it made the Smart Nora twice as effective, so this is what I did. Measuring 4″ above where my head typically rests, I cleaned an area of my headboard with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth to ensure that the mount stuck to the surface. I peeled back the double sided tape and stuck it to my headboard and placed the pebble inside.

Once the pebble was set up, I read up on setting the pillow height and sensitivity. According to the instructions, for best results, the pillow should be set on “High”.

The instruction manual also gives suggestions on how to set the pebble sensitivity. There are five different sensitivity levels to choose from. The highest level of sensitivity should be used in a very quiet room and activates with a single quiet snore while when setting on the opposite end of the sensitivity spectrum (Very low sensitivity)  the Smart Smart Nora will activate with multiple snores under loud room conditions such as traffic or construction noise.  The recommended setting (Normal Sensitivity) activates with multiple snores under regular bedroom conditions. I decided to leave the sensitivity on the “normal” recommended setting and later adjust it if necessary.

With the Smart Nora set up and adjusted, I was excited to get started.

Putting Smart Nora to The Test

As with all anti-snoring products that I review, I always put them through two or more weeks of rigorous testing and provide raw unfiltered information on product performance to my readers. Although rather unscientific, I judge the effectiveness by both reports from my wife and snoring levels that were recorded on my smartphone. I use a baseline recording to compare my snoring before and after using an anti-snoring product. There are several apps that are available, some are free while others are fairly inexpensive.

First Night With Smart Nora

One nice feature offered by this the Smart Nora is a 30-minute delay. I had concerns that possibility of a pillow inflating and deflating while getting settled into bed would be distracting, so before going to bed I set the 30 min delay by pressing and holding the power button for a second which produced a white light that faded in and out, indicating that it was in delay mode. I’m usually asleep long before my wife so she’s my ears and eyes when it comes to determining if a snoring device works.

As usual, I fell asleep quickly with my wife by my side monitoring my snoring. Unfortunately, I started snoring several minutes prior to the expiration of the delayed start, so it did not kick in soon enough. Once the delayed start expired, my head almost immediately begins to rise as I was sound asleep and snoring loudly.

My head went up slowly and then dropped slowly. Amazingly, the slight movement of my head seemed to put the brakes on my snoring. My wife sat and watched my head rise and fall every few minutes which seemed time and time again to arrest my snoring. The first night was a success as my wife was not awoken or kept up by the sound of my snoring. The sound recording showed a few instances of brief snoring throughout the night that was short lived which prevented my snoring from escalating as it usually does throughout the night.

Days 2

I have to admit, I was pretty amazed by the results that I had experienced the first night so I was ready to see if the Smart Nora could stand the test of time.

Day 2 was a long day and I knew that I would fall asleep would not be a problem. Since I knew that I would fall asleep shortly after my head hit the pillow, I decided to give it a try without using the delay feature. I powered on the Smart Nora and the pillow started to inflate shortly after speaking a few words to my wife. I recall this happening once or twice before I was once again sound asleep.

My wife enjoys staying up at night reading, so she was able to monitor my snoring for at least a couple hours prior to going to sleep. The results of the second night were similar to the first night. No complaints from my wife and faint occasional snoring sounds were heard and later record which were quickly silenced by the raising and lowering of the pillow.

It seems as though the Smart Nora survived another night of testing. Moving forward, let’s see how it held up to the remaining 12 days.

Days 3-14

The next few days were similar to the first two. Some nights I would use the 30-minute delay, while other days I would not. The choice to use it or not greatly depended on my level of tiredness and my best estimate of how soon I would fall asleep. By the end of the 14-day trial, I decided that setting the 30 min delay is likely the best choice, although until the Nora kicked in, my snoring sometimes annoyed my wife.

Around midway through the testing period I decided to try increasing the sensitivity level of the pebble from “normal” to the next level higher just to test the limits and see if I could silence the snoring faster. Unfortunately, the increase in sensitivity was too much and the pillow spent most of the night activated by the slightest sound. I ended up returning the sensitivity back to “normal”.

We did, however, note that during this period of time we discovered the pillow would inadvertently activate when my wife would watch TV in bed. Luckily we have a pair of headphones which solved this problem.

Not surprising, the same results continued night after night. Any snoring that did occur was quickly silenced and was quiet enough not to wake my wife.

By day 9 I had received an email from Nora informing me that I had been assigned a “sleep coach” who would help to answer any questions that I may have. By this point, I was already familiar with the using the Smart Nora and was experiencing satisfactory results, so I did not have to use this service (sorry Sean).

Using The App

While I own a few apps that I have used to record my snoring, I was excited to test out the one offered by Smart Nora. Unfortunately, they still haven’t released this app although their website shows that the iOS version should soon be released followed by the Android version.

Concluding Thoughts and Recommendation

Smart Nora is an innovative snoring solution that is unlike anything that I have ever tested. I was very curious about this product and am glad that I gave it a try.

The key features that I really like are the fact that it’s non-invasive, works instantly, and it uses a silent pump. While it doesn’t completely eliminate all snoring sounds, it stops the snoring quickly which prevented it from escalating to a level that keeps my wife awake at night. My wife was satisfied with the results and the sound recording verified a definite reduction in the amount and intensity of my snoring.

If you are interested in a high-tech, non-invasive snoring solution, I would highly recommend the Smart Nora.

Visit Smart Nora Website

Pros:

• Completely non-invasive snoring solution
• Very easy to set up
• Works immediately with a short adjustment period
• Can be used with your favorite pillow
• Offered with a 30-day guarantee
• 365 day limited warranty
• Battery powered pump and pebble allow use when power is temporarily not available

Cons: 

• More of a reactive solution rather than proactive

About The Silent Treatment

Michael and Shelley Rowarth are the owners of Rowarth Design Ltd., the parent company of The Silent Treatment that is based out of Auckland, New Zealand. Like many couples, Michael and Shelley experienced difficulty sleeping due to Michael’s snoring problem back in the 1970’s. Shelley was frustrated and tired of countless and restless nights of hearing Michael snore through the night. She urged Michael to use an anti-snore device to help stop his snoring. After trying several products on the market that were ineffective and expensive, Michael decided to put his extensive background in product engineering, manufacturing, and design to the test. He invested in a 3D printer and worked with over 100 prototypes before perfecting The Silent Treatment and launching it in 2014. Shelley is thrilled to have her rest back and Michael continues to tweak the Silent Treatment design to this day in order to perfect the fit and comfort for his customers.

The Silent Treatment is indeed a boil and bite fitted tongue stabilizing device (TSD). These devices are great because they hold your tongue in a natural forward position in order to prevent the tongue from blocking your airway and causing snoring. Many people prefer TSD’s because they do not strain your jaw and have little to no effect on the movement of your teeth. You may still feel some discomfort for the first few nights after wearing any anti-snoring device. Your body simply needs to adapt to the new position of your tongue, but you will get used to having a device in your mouth eventually. The Silent Treatment differs from mandibular advancement devices (MAD’s) in that the device does not force your jaw forward by using your teeth as leverage. The Silent Treatment simply uses your teeth as a means to stabilize and flatten your tongue, and not affecting the position of your jaw. Located at the bottom of the device, are hundreds of tiny non-invasive spurs that will cling to the top of the tongue and hold it in a forward position.

Price

The Silent Treatment is listed at a reasonable price of $62 with free shipping via International Air Post. Since the product is being shipped from New Zealand, it can take anywhere from 7-15 days to receive the Silent Treatment. Expedited shipping is also available at checkout if you are looking to receive your product in a more timely manner. Canadian buyers are urged to pay for additional expedited shipping since packages are being held up at Canadian customs for as long as 7 weeks. Purchases can be made through their website or over the phone.

What is it made of?

The Silent Treatment is constructed of a soft food-grade polypropylene material that is non-toxic and BPA-free. This is good to know since this material will be exposed to boiling water and then immediately inserted into your mouth. The actual device has a central frame with 2 side wings made of injection molded soft thermoplastic material that has a high melting point. A secondary low melting point material is located on the top of the wings and is the area where your teeth will be molded into the material.

Silent Treatment Warranty

Michael and Shelley are committed to providing excellent customer service to their customers and extend a lifetime warranty with their product. They understand that this product may not be for everyone and that it may take time to getting used to it. They offer exceptional customer support by working through any problems that customers may have with their molding, fitting, or general use. If at any time, they cannot work with the customer on an issue, they are happy to refund the customer the full purchase amount. This is a rarity in the industry these days – most manufacturers in the anti-snoring market offer a 30-day money back guarantee or 30-day trial period. This goes to show that the company stands behind their product 100% and are loyal to their customers.

My Experience

The Silent Treatment shipped to my doorstep and arrived packaged in a small box.  The moldable device was located inside a storage case along with a metal fitting clip, and instructions.

After reading all of the instructions, I proceeded to the kitchen to start boiling some water. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cooking pot
• Water
• Cooking/grilling tongs
• Stopwatch
• Silent Treatment
• Instructions
• Included Storage Container
  (Grab some cooking tongs while you are in the kitchen and set them aside. Have a watch handy or your phone nearby to set a timer when you are ready to boil the Silent Treatment.)

I poured a few cups of water into a pot and turned the stove on medium heat. While the water was starting to warm, I took the device out of the plastic packaging and went into the bathroom to practice inserting the device into my mouth as the instructions say to do. Be sure that the spurs are facing downwards (The curved edge will be facing forward as you place it in your mouth.) I placed the device in my mouth so that the very front of the piece rested in line with my lower canine teeth. I noticed that it seemed a bit wide for my mouth. The manufacturer suggests using the included stainless steel fitting clip if you have a V-shaped or smaller mouth. I fitted the clip onto the piece like the instructions showed and were able to bend the front part of the mouthpiece so it formed a smaller V-shape. Once I did this, I practiced inserting the piece into my mouth a few times until I felt confident enough that I could mold the device correctly.

After proceeding back into the kitchen and seeing that my water had already come to a boil, I dropped the Silent Treatment into the water and set my phone timer for 1 minute. I continued to maintain the boil for the entire minute the Silent Treatment was submerged. Once my timer went off, I grabbed my tongs and carefully picked up the device while being careful not to touch the side bulbs that would soon be molded. At this time, I removed the fitting clip and cooled it off by blowing on it for a few seconds, touching it to the back side of my hand to be sure it wasn’t scolding hot before I placed it in my mouth. I walked back to the bathroom mirror and inserted the Silent Treatment in my mouth just as I had practiced. While holding my lower jaw forward, I made sure my bite was firm yet gentle enough as to not completely bite through and have my top and bottom teeth touch. I waited for a minute or so until the device cooled down and then removed it from my mouth and ran it under cool water. I allowed it to dry and placed it in the storage container that was included in my box and stored it on my nightstand ready for the approaching evening’s use.

Right before I was about to go to bed, I reached over on my nightstand and grabbed the Silent Treatment from its storage case. I inserted it into my mouth the same way I had molded it earlier that day. The instructions said to slightly extend my tongue forward from its relaxed position, so I did that as the Silent Treatment entered my mouth. I could feel the bottom of the piece (the spurs) put slight pressure on my tongue to hold it in place – so I knew it was working. It was a bit awkward at first having something in my mouth as I went to bed. It reminded me of my brace and retainer days back in my teen years. I knew it would take some time getting used to just like those braces did. I tried not to think about this mouthpiece before going to sleep but I have to admit that it did take me an extra hour or so to finally fall asleep. I experienced extra salivation than I normally noticed as well. These put aside, I soon found myself sound asleep.

Results

I woke up the next morning and noticed that a bit of drooling had occurred. As a long-time user and reviewer, I knew that this was typical of any mouthpiece that you use. After my first night of using a new mouthpiece, I always give the product the “wife test”. I asked my wife that morning if she heard any snoring during the previous night and she could not recall hearing anything. That’s all I needed to hear to call this product a success.

I continued to wear the Silent Treatment for 13 more nights and noticed that the drooling I experienced during the first night had gradually gone away. The only discomfort I can really mention is the fact that you have a device in your mouth, to begin with. This affected me the first few nights of wearing the Silent Treatment, but by night 3 or so, I was already used to having it in my mouth and it wasn’t a big deal anymore.

Pros

• Affordable
• Effective
• Adjustable Fitting Size Settings
• Easy to Mold
• Includes storage case
• Shipping is Free
• Money-Back Guarantee

Cons

• May take several days to get used to a device in your mouth
• May cause you drooling

All in all, I would recommend this product. I have only reviewed a handful of tongue stabilizing devices, and I think they are a great alternative to mandibular advancement devices if you are concerned about holding your jaw forward. There are some great anti-snoring devices out on the market and I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing quite a few of them. Feel free to read through my other reviews and learn about my recommended devices.

An injection Snoreplasty is a relatively new medical procedure that is indented to aid against and stop snoring. Unlike other procedures such as tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies, an injection snoreplasty is much less painful, fast, and affordable. The procedure itself involves first numbing the upper palate of the mouth and then injecting a stiffening or sclerosing agent that will eventually form scar tissue in that area. As the scar tissue develops, it naturally stiffens the area where the injection was made and reduces the surface area where the air vibration occurs in the airway that leads to snoring.

Injection Snoreplasty Procedures

Undergoing an ENT exam

You must schedule a thorough ENT exam with your Ear Nose and Throat doctor before moving forward with the thought of this procedure since it’s not the right treatment for everyone. The thorough exam is performed to ensure there are no other underlying sleep-disorders going on such as obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a frequent cessation of breathing from an obstruction in the upper airway. It’s possible that your ENT doctor may order a sleep test so they can monitor your snoring and determine whether or not you have sleep apnea. Injection Snoreplasty is not a common treatment for sleep apnea at this time, however, clinical studies are being done and monitored to see if this is a future solution or treatment for sleep apnea.

An Injection Snoreplasty Procedure

The actual procedure itself is not typically referred to as a surgery but as a nonsurgical “treatment”. It’s comparable to getting a fast tooth filling at the dentist. You check into your ENT doctor’s office, they numb the top/back of your throat and inject a fluid referred to as Sotradecola that will eventually promote tissue scarring. Once the procedure is complete, the patient can return back to work, home, or school the next day or even immediately following the treatment if they prefer.

After an Injection Snoreplasty – what to expect

Immediately following the treatment, you will have some tenderness towards the roof of your mouth. Depending on how you react to the injection, you may or may not need pain medication. Swelling will most likely occur, but it should not be anything major. Expect a sore throat for a few days as well. Over the counter pain relievers such as throat spray, lozenges or Tylenol are typically recommended after the treatment. You may experience the feeling that something feels stuck at the back of your throat. This sensation is from the injection and will go away within a few days once your body scars and gets used to the hardening of the palate tissues.

Prescribed medications can also be taken if your doctor suggests them. Consult your doctor after the procedure to make sure any medicine you are currently taking does not interfere with any prescribed pain meds that your doctor may administer. Most patients can return to work the same day after the treatment. You will not notice an immediate improvement in your snoring because the palate tissue needs to scar and harden first. This can take several days to a week – everyone has different results. Once the scarring occurs, the vibrations on your palate will reduce since the mouth tissues will be hard. Some patients require multiple treatments and injections. This just means that your body did not scar as much in the area near the injection. You will consult with your doctor at a follow-up appointment and they will examine the scarring and determine if another treatment is necessary or not. Your doctor may also order another sleep test to evaluate the results of the treatment.

Injection Snoreplasty Q&A

Will I be in the hospital for several days?

The short answer is no. However, if complications do arise during the procedure, further hospitalization may occur. Everyone handles procedures differently. This is typically a very quick out-patient treatment similar to a dental visit and usually, adults can return back to work the following day or same-day.

Do I need general anesthesia for an Injection Snoreplasty?

In most cases, just local anesthesia is administered during an injection snoreplasty. A topical anesthetic numbs the upper portion of the mouth where the hardening agent is injected. If you have problems with dental visits and are usually given general anesthesia during dental visits, then you may request to be put under during this procedure as well. But in most cases, a topical anesthesia is administered.

Is it expensive?

The procedures can range from $200-$800 per treatment. It may take up to 2 treatments to be completely effective. Based on your insurance plan, one or more treatments could be covered by your insurance provider. Some providers cover the initial consultation and evaluation, but not that actual procedure. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before planning and scheduling this treatment.

What is the recovery time like for the procedure?

There is very little recovery involved with an injection snoreplasty if any. In general, the treatment itself is almost as simple as getting a Novocain shot in preparation for a tooth filling. Once the stiffening agent is injected, the doctor may keep you for several minutes to make sure there is no immediate reaction to the injection fluid. After that, you can simply leave the doctor’s office and return to school or work as planned for the remainder of the day. You will have a slightly sore throat for a few days, but the recovery time for this procedure is much less than that of a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. It is not as invasive; therefore the recovery time is very minimal.

What does the actual treatment involve?

The 20-30 minute treatment is very basic. 1. The doctor numbs the upper throat with a topical numbing agent. 2. A stiffening sclerosing agent is injected into the top of the mouth right in front of the uvula or upper palate. 3. You can wait patiently for a few minutes until the doctor approves you can leave the office.  Once the agent is injected, a small blister will form over the next few days and scar tissue will develop in that area. The mouth tissue hardens from the scar tissue, which retracts the uvula forward thus eliminating the palatal flutter that is the ultimate cause of snoring.

What is a sclerosing agent?

A sclerosing agent is a solution that contains an irritant substance that will disrupt the space or area where it is injected. The actual contents are not harmful, however, it is meant to irritate the upper portion of your mouth just as a cut or wound would –eventually forming a scar or scar tissue. The most common sclerosing agent used on a treatment such as this is Sotradecola. Once the scar tissue forms, it becomes hard and makes the upper palette stiff; thus reducing or eliminating snoring.

What is Sotradecola?

Sotradecola is the short term for the medical name sodium tetradecyl sulfate. This is the most used hardening agent used during an injection snoreplasty. Sotradecola is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It is typically used in varicose vein procedures. The FDA recommends it is used for intravenous use only. There are some side effects from this stiffening agent. It can trigger allergic reactions like anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction that rapidly onsets. If this occurs, epinephrine injections can counteract the reaction. Sotradecola can also cause tissue necrosis which in simple terms is cell tissue death. An example of necrosis is gangrene. When this occurs, the affected area usually needs to be surgically removed.

What is involved in injection snoreplasty prep the day before the procedure?

There is little to no prep for this treatment. Unlike other stop-snoring surgeries, an injection snoreplasty is not invasive or a complicated procedure. Some doctors may administer a mild sedative before the procedure, or a topical numbing agent. There is no fasting or other medical prep that needs to take place for this treatment unless of course there is a special instance where the patient needs to be given general anesthesia. This is unlikely and a rare instance.

What are the side effects of injection snoreplasty?

The main side effect of the procedure is discomfort immediately following the treatment. It’s nothing a little Tylenol can’t take care of though. There are several risk factors however and complications may occur that include palate swelling, palatal ulcerations or palatal fistula. Palatal ulcers are typically infectious and you should contact your doctor immediately if you see an ulcer start to form. Palatal Fistula symptoms include impaired speech and fluid leakage into the nasal cavity. These are more serious complications that are rare from this treatment. If any of these signs develop, contact your doctor immediately.

Will injection snoreplasty stop my snoring?

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center staff was the first to invent and practice an injection snoreplasty. Originally a medical study confirmed that the treatment had a 92% success rate when having an average of 2 treatments completed. A more recent study found that the success rate may have dropped to nearly 75%, but only after 2 years of treatment. This is most likely due to the palate scar tissue actually softening back up again. You can have the treatment repeated years after your original procedure in order to keep the palatal tissue scarred and stiffened in order to keep snoring under control.

What if it doesn’t stop my snoring?

In most cases, patients usually require at least two treatments in order to see complete results regarding snoring. Keep in mind that you may have to wait a few weeks in order for the scar tissue to completely form. If the scarring hasn’t started yet, snoring may still occur. If the existing scarring that has occurred is not enough to stiffen the palate tissues, then more treatments will be necessary. If snoring still occurs after 3 or more treatments, there may be another underlying cause of the snoring. Consult with your doctor regarding the matter. They may perform another sleep study in order to see if you have developed sleep apnea.

Can this be performed on a child?

There is no scientific evidence that this is a long-term solution for snoring on a child. More commonly practiced, however, are adenoidectomies or tonsillectomies on children. Palatal tissue scarring can become soft over time, so children may need to get injection snoreplasty treatments over the course of their life. Because of this, it’s unlikely for a doctor to perform this type of treatment on children at this time.

Will I be in pain after the procedure?

It’s typical to experience some discomfort after having an injection snoreplasty. Think about how you feel after having a tooth pulled – you are still swollen and groggy from the Novocain and you may experience some pain in the area of the mouth that your dentist was working in. It’s about the same experience after having an injection snoreplasty treatment done. You may feel like something is stuck at the top of your mouth and will experience some soreness in that area as well. Over the counter medicine should do the trick but your doctor will most likely prescribe pain medication in the event that more serious swelling and discomfort occur.

How much bleeding will occur during or after the surgery?

Surprisingly, there should not be much visible blood at all. After the needle with the stiffening agent is inserted into the palate, there are no other lacerations or injections into the skin. There may be a bit of blood noticeable at this time, but after that, there should be no signs of major bleeding. If you notice an abnormal amount of bleeding, contact your doctor immediately.

Will insurance cover an injection snoreplasty?

In most cases, your insurance provider will cover the initial medical evaluation and consultation. However, the treatments are typically out of pocket expenses. Check with your healthcare provider before scheduling your first consultation. Treatments are relatively inexpensive in most cases.

Is injection snoreplasty a solution for sleep apnea?

An injection snoreplasty is not a suitable solution for sleep apnea at this time. After you have your sleep study performed and have your initial consultation with your doctor, they will evaluate your situation and recommend the best treatment for you.

Less invasive and inexpensive alternatives are available if you do not want to commit to an injection snoreplasty. There are a number of over the counter and prescription based devices that can be used to stop snoring. To learn more about our suggested stop-snoring devices, continue reading here.

Adenoids are masses of lymphoid tissues that are located right behind the nasal passageways, behind the nose. They are a part of the body’s immune system and play a first-line defensive role along with the tonsils. They act as a filter by keeping harmful germs that travel through the nose or mouth from entering further into the body. Adenoids also produce antibodies which protect the body from infections. Unfortunately, sometimes the adenoids can negatively impact the body instead of defending the body when they become infected. Having inflamed or enlarged adenoids are called Adenoiditis. Symptoms of infected adenoids include recurring bacterial infections in the nose or throat, or enlargement of the adenoids resulting in an airway obstruction that affects swallowing, breathing, difficulty sleeping, and snoring. Adenoids are usually overlooked during regular physicals or exams due to their inaccessible location behind the nose. They are in the top of the throat near the roof of your mouth. Special instruments that your ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor would have easily accessible are needed to access the adenoids. Most general medical doctors would not have these instruments accessible during a routine checkup but they may suggest taking a few x-rays in order to see the adenoids and any inflammation that might be occurring.

Adenoids play an important role in the early years of development – up to around age 6. As you get older, your body starts to fight infections in other effective ways and the adenoids will actually start to shrink in size due to non-use. In most cases, your adenoids disappear by the time you are a teenager, hence most adenoid related problems are seen in small children.

The tonsils and adenoids are similar in that they are made from the same type of lymphatic tissues; however, the two are completely different masses. The two differ because diseases caused by infected adenoids differ from diseases from the tonsils due to their precarious placement behind the nasal passageway. Small pockets inside the tonsils sometimes produce compact, odor smelling deposits (frequently referred to as tonsil stones) that could irritate the adenoids and cause soreness or swelling.

Adenoiditis Symptoms

It’s possible that you may suffer from adenoiditis if you have 2 or more of the following symptoms:

Sleep apnea (a short paused breathing while sleeping)
Earaches or balance problems
Swollen glands around the neck area
Difficulty swallowing
Congestion and stuffy nose
Sore, scratchy throat
Difficulty sleeping
Snoring

Adenoidectomy

You should consult your doctor to determine whether an adenoidectomy needs to be performed. The surgical procedure where a surgeon removes the adenoids is called and Adenoidectomy. Adenoidectomies and Tonsillectomies were typically performed together during most of the twentieth century. Up until recently, the procedures seem to be performed separately or individually. Most adenoidectomies are performed on children in general. The first adenoidectomy dates back to the 1800’s when doctors theorized that the adenoids were the culprit for certain nasal problems and impaired hearing. The procedure is one of the most frequented surgeries done in the U.S. and is most commonly performed on children under the age of 6. Adenoidectomies are performed by ENT surgeons. The procedures are typically done at an outpatient surgery center where general anesthesia is administered. The adenoids are removed from the mouth so there are no other incisions or cuts inside the mouth besides the actual removal of the tissue. Since the surgery is typically done in an outpatient environment, patients usually go straight home once the procedure is completed and has had a successful recovery period following the procedure – about 5 hours. This time frame can fluctuate based on the patient’s performance during surgery and how quickly they awaken from the anesthesia.

Adenoidectomy Recovery Time

Immediately following surgery, it is common to experience some nausea and upset stomach; this is due to the anesthesia side effects. You may experience the following symptoms immediately following surgery or up to one week after the procedure date:

Fever

It is common to experience a low-grade fever for 1-2 days following the surgery. Don’t panic unless the fever has reached over 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you consult your doctor or surgeon if the fever progresses and especially when nausea, vomiting, or a stiff neck occur along with the fever.

Sore, Scratchy Throat

Since the surgery is performed in the upper back of the throat, you can assume that the throat will be sore for up to a week and a half. Eating, drinking, and talking will be difficult at first but will progress during each day of recovery.

Pain

The throat will be sore and you will experience pain there and possibly also in the ear. Pain may persist for several weeks after the surgery. Everyone is different with recovering from this surgery, so you may not experience much pain at all or it could last weeks.

Difficulty Breathing

The throat tends to swell after the surgery so it may feel like you are having difficulty breathing. Breathing through the mouth should get better during every day of recovery. Breathing should return to normal within two weeks following the procedure.

Adenoidectomy Recovery Tips

Eat Soft Foods

The throat will be tender immediately following surgery and you will most likely be hungry but you may not want to eat due to some pain. Start eating slowly with the following soft foods. You can add harder foods as the days progress and the pain and swelling start to diminish.

Applesauce
Soup

Jell-O
Popsicles
Try to avoid milk-based products for at least 24 hours.

Yogurt
Ice-cream
Pudding
Cottage Cheese

Drink Plenty of Fluids

It’s important to remain hydrated at all times, especially following a surgery where you are asked to fast for up to 8 hours prior. You want to avoid dehydration at all costs. No one wants to return back to the hospital right after leaving, right? Hot liquids might worsen the pain, so stick with room temperature or cold drinks initially.

Rest

The best thing you can do during surgery recovery is getting plenty of rest. Whether the surgery is performed on a child or adult, make sure Netflix is paid and up to date so you can have some movie marathons either way. If the surgery was on your child and they are typically very active, reading stories and doing activity books are good ways to keep them occupied without moving around too much. Sports and vigorous movement should be avoided for at least a week, but check with your doctor regarding activities.

Adults and children can return back to work or school when all of the following are met:
Solid foods can be eaten without pain or bleeding
Pain medicine is no longer needed
Sleeping completely through the night
Normal breathing patterns have returned

Follow Doctor’s Orders

Be sure to follow the doctor’s orders as far as what medications to take. Consult your doctor if you have questions regarding taking multiple pain medications at once or in intervals. Your doctor may also instruct you to ice part of your neck or face in order to reduce swelling. Always follow your doctor’s orders.

Finish Prescriptions

It’s important to finish all medications prescribed by your doctor, especially after surgery. In the rare event that an infection may occur, you want to be sure your medication completely prevents or eliminates the infection so always finish antibiotics that are prescribed by your doctor.

After an Adenoidectomy – Warning Signs to Remember

Adenoidectomies are commonly performed and are considered a routine procedure, however in the rare event that something goes wrong, you should be aware of the following warning signs and reach out to your doctor or go straight to the emergency room.

Bright red blood

It is common to have some dark red bleeding occur in the mouth or nose immediately following the procedure, but after a day or so the bleeding should stop. If bright red blood is seen in the mouth or is coming from the nose, this may be an indicator that something more serious is going on. Consult your doctor immediately.

Extreme difficulty breathing and wheezing

Breathing might be difficult immediately following the procedure, but it still possible. If breathing becomes extremely hard or wheezing occurs, there may be serious inflammation occurring that is blocking the airway. Head to the emergency room and call your doctor in the rare case that this occurs.

Fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit

It is common to experience a low-grade fever for several days following the surgery, however, if the fever exceeds 102 degrees, this may signal a more serious infection. Monitor a low-grade fever and check in with your doctor if it gets too high.

Nausea accompanied by high fever and vomiting

If vomiting and nausea occur along with a high fever (102 degrees+) this is usually another indicator of an infection. Seek medical attention from the ER and consult with your doctor.

Adenoids and Snoring

Inflamed adenoids can be a common cause of snoring in children and occasionally adults. Snoring is caused by a blockage in the mouth, nose or throat. The blockage forces the tissues of the airway to vibrate when the flow of oxygen passes from the mouth or nose to your lungs. Inflamed or infected adenoids may be the culprit of the airway blockage and therefore may be the reason you snore. Congestion and chronic sinusitis may occur from infected adenoids as well.
Adenoids may vibrate during this blockage and the narrower the airway is, the more these tissues will vibrate, resulting in even louder snoring. Loud snoring can be extremely difficult for you and your partner. Snoring can cause you to have a less restful sleep by not falling into a deep sleep. Snoring can upset your partner and lead to separate issues in bed. Snoring can lead to more serious conditions like high blood pressure or sleep apnea.

You should schedule an appointment with your ENT doctor to evaluate the current state of your adenoids. If they are indeed inflamed or infected, you may wish to move forward with an adenoidectomy. If the adenoids are not enlarged, they might not be the root of your snoring. An adenoidectomy is usually not the first choice as a stop snoring solution, however, it’s known to be an excellent last resort surgery when other methods underperform. The surgery may not guarantee that you stop snoring, but like all surgeries, they are not full-proof. You may want to learn more about other stop snoring solutions before you undergo an adenoidectomy. Here are a few:

Oral Appliances

There are several tongue stabilizing devices and mandibular advancement devices that can be prescribed by your doctor that can aid in stopping snoring or help with sleep apnea. These can be a more cost-effective solution for stopping snoring instead of paying for a surgical procedure like an adenoidectomy.

Nasal Devices

Nose cones and nose vents are a few nasal devices on the market that can open the airway which helps to stop sleep apnea and snoring. This is also another cost-effective and a less invasive alternative.

Positional Therapy

Positional therapy is a more natural approach to stop snoring. This treatment for snoring involves realigning your body in a natural, comfortable position while you sleep in order to bring your body back into balance and promote healthy breathing.

Palatal Implants

Palatal implant therapy often referred to as the Pillar procedure, is another out-patient surgery that can be performed to strengthen the palate and ultimately prevent your mouth tissues from vibrating which result in not snoring. Small polyester implants are surgically placed in the mouth. The combination of the implants and the body’s natural scarring and healing process makes the mouth tissues stiff and less likely to vibrate.

Injection Snoreplasty

Similar to the Pillar procedure, injection snoreplasty is also another out-patient procedure that involves injecting a chemical into the palate. The scarring and inflammation naturally cause the mouth tissues to become stiff, resulting in a decrease in tissue vibration and thus a decrease in snoring. This procedure often requires multiple office visits and several injections. It is less expensive than an implant but is said to be more painful and have a longer recovery time.

Radiofrequency

Radiofrequency is another palate-stiffening procedure that is done to stop snoring. Under general anesthesia, a heat treatment is used to stiffen the tissues. This technique costs less than the implant procedure, but a bit more than the injection treatment.

Tonsillectomy

A tonsillectomy is another procedure that may help you stop snoring. Like an adenoidectomy, this surgery is almost identical as far as the procedure and recovery time go. The only difference is that the tonsils are being targeted instead of the adenoids. Sometimes the two procedures are done simultaneously as well.

It’s best to consult with your doctor on which stop snoring method works for you. If you are interested in reading more about our preferred stop snoring devices, please look at our recommended products here.

Tonsillectomy

The pair of soft tissues on either side of the back of the throat are your tonsils. Tonsils help to fight infections and are part of the lymphatic system. When your tonsils are fighting an infection, they will actually slightly enlarge, called hypertrophic tonsils or tonsillitis, resulting in a reduction of your airway size which directly relates to an increased risk of snoring or developing sleep apnea. Continually infected tonsils may cause reoccurring sore throats, misalignment of your teeth called dental malocclusion, bad breath, abscesses, or an upper airway obstruction resulting in snoring or sleep apnea. Enlarged tonsils are usually seen in children and less common in adults. Surgical tonsil removal (tonsillectomy) does not increase your risk of infection, however, it is said to reduce or eliminate snoring or other sleep-disordered breathing. Some claim it’s an excellent, last resort resolution to stop snoring.

Alternatives to a tonsillectomy and Snoring

Every surgery involves risks and having a tonsillectomy does not guarantee that the nasal airway will be improved or widened. There are other treatments out there that can be put to use before having a tonsillectomy done, as this cannot be reversed.

Oral Appliances

Stop-snoring appliances include mandibular advancement devices and tongue stabilizing devices.

Nasal Devices

A few nasal devices include chin straps, nasal cones, and nose vents. These products can usually be purchased over the counter.

Positional Therapy

Positional therapy is achieved by positioning your body on its side in a certain way while sleeping in order to avoid snoring.

Consulting your ENT doctor

There are many other options that your ENT doctor or Dentist can suggest to stop snoring. It’s best to schedule a consultation with your doctor so you can get a complete evaluation and learn about all the treatment options out there, what is available, and what is best for you.

Is Tonsillectomy a solution to stop snoring?

Having a tonsillectomy is not entirely full proof and most doctors will not guarantee a 100% success rate with any surgery including this one. If your tonsils are responsible for your snoring, removal should reduce your snoring, if not completely stop it. Really the question to you is do you want to undergo surgery in order to stop your snoring? For most people, this is the last resort option after trying the above treatments and not having any luck. It’s always best to consult your doctor in order to make the correct decision for you and your partner.

Risk Factors

Like all other surgeries, tonsillectomies do involve certain risks. A few uncommon risks include infection, bleeding during and after surgery, anesthetic reactions, swelling, and failure to stop snoring.

Infection

Infection from a surgery is typically unlikely and rare; however, an infection can start during the actual procedure or afterward during recovery. An unsanitized instrument could cause the infection or an airborne bacteria or virus could be the culprit. If an incision is not properly closed or adequately cleaned during recovery, this could also lead to an infection. In most cases, patients have little to worry about. In the rare case that an infection does occur, antibiotics can treat most infections within a matter of days.

Bleeding during and after surgery

The most common side effect of a tonsillectomy is experiencing bleeding after the procedure has taken place. During surgery, if an area is unintentionally punctured, bleeding can occur and then steps will be taken to stop the internal bleeding. If this occurs, a longer hospital stay may be necessary as opposed to just being an outpatient. Bleeding during healing is also a possibility, though rare. If the scab or wound becomes open or infected, this can cause bleeding as well. In either case, the bleeding will be stopped during the procedure or you can consult your physician if it persists at home during recovery and another emergency surgery may take place to stop any serious internal bleeding. Again, serious bleeding is extremely rare.

Anesthesia Reactions

There are several reactions to anesthetics. Some are minor short-term issues while others can be life-threatening.

Short-Term Reactions

Nausea
Vomiting
Soreness
A slight headache

Long-Term Reactions

Risk of death
Swelling of the throat

Swelling is also another risk factor when having a tonsillectomy performed. Sometimes the roof of your mouth can swell, as well as your tongue. This may be a bit uncomfortable and cause problems breathing. If this occurs, it would most likely happen right after the procedure within a few hours. Don’t panic if it seems hard to breathe, just remain calm and take normal breaths. The swelling should go away by the end of the day but you should always consult your doctor if the swelling seems abnormal or is seriously impeding your breathing.

The Procedure

Tonsillectomies are typically outpatient procedures and do not require an overnight stay. The procedure does require anesthesia. Like most surgeries, you will be advised to not drink any fluids or eat anything 6 hours prior to the procedure. The actual surgery itself involves the surgeon using a scalpel blade or another specialized high-energy heating apparatus to destroy the tonsil tissue and also stop any bleeding that arises.

Recovery

Recovering from a tonsillectomy typically takes anywhere from 10 days to two weeks. During this recovery period, there are several actions you can take in order to expedite the recovery process in a healthy manner and to avoid any complications.

Lots of Fluids

As always, it’s important to keep your body hydrated at all times, especially after undergoing surgery. The last thing you want to deal with after a procedure is getting dehydrated and ending returning to the hospital. Grab a few boxes of popsicles before your procedure – this is a fun way to stay hydrated for people of all ages!

Appropriate Recovery Foods

You may not be in the mood to eat directly after your surgery, but chances are you will be hungry, especially since you need to fast several hours prior to your surgery. You may experience some pain after the procedure so stick with foods that are easy to swallow:
Applesauce
Pudding
Yogurt
Ice cream
Warm Soup
Jello

After you start to feel better, possibly within a day or so, you should start adding in foods with more consistency that are easy to chew. Try to avoid foods that are high in acid, spicy, crunchy or hard to chew. Start eating foods in small bites so you can avoid pain or bleeding when you swallow.

Follow the Doctor’s medication orders

Make sure you follow the instructions on any antibiotic or pain medications prescribed by your doctor. Ask the surgeon or medical staff which medications can be combined with over the counter medicine and what to avoid. Make sure you finish any prescriptions so that infections can be prevented. If you are unsure about taking a medicine or combining it with alcohol or another medication, make sure you consult your physician immediately.

Get Plenty of Rest

It’s important to rest up following any surgery. Your body needs to heal in general so just take it slow for a couple of days. Children should stay home from school and adults should not go to work until you are able to resume a normal diet, sleeping completely through the night and are off any pain medication. Consult your doctor regarding any strenuous or vigorous activities.

Be aware of potential emergency signs

During your recovery, you should always be aware of any irregular symptoms that occur including but not limited to bleeding, dehydration, trouble breathing, fever, severe swelling, or pain. Because your nose and throat are connected, it’s possible that you may see some dark colored blood coming from your nose. Any bright red blood that is seen coming from your nose is a warning sign and you should go to the emergency room immediately. If you have a fever higher than 101 degrees, notice signs of dehydration or having difficulty breathing, these issues should also be addressed at the emergency room or over the phone with your doctor immediately.

Tonsillectomy Q&A

Do I need my tonsils?
No, you do not need your tonsils to survive. They help fight infection but are not necessary for life.

Do tonsils actually cause snoring?
Yes, enlarged tonsils can block your airway during sleep, causing the symptom of snoring.

Will I stop snoring if I have my tonsils removed?
In most cases, yes. However, not all surgeries are full proof and complications may occur.

Will a tonsillectomy cure sleep apnea?
The surgery is often used to treat sleep apnea and has a 75-100% success rate. Children usually notice improvements within 6 months of surgery.

Can I child have a tonsillectomy?
Yes, children are actually the most frequented patients for this surgery. Typically, multiple cases of tonsillitis in a year and X-Ray proof that their airway passages in the nose and throat are small, point doctors in the direction of having the surgery performed.

What is the recovery time for a tonsillectomy?
Recovery times vary with every surgery, but typically the recovery time ranges from 10 to 14 days under normal circumstances.

Will I be sedated during a tonsillectomy?
Yes, usually you will undergo general anesthesia while having this procedure done.

Is a tonsillectomy painful?
Like most outpatient surgeries, there is generally some pain involved, but pain meds and anesthesia usually do the trick.

Does a tonsillectomy require a long hospital stay?
No, typically this procedure is done as an out-patient, however, if any complications occur during the surgery, it’s possible that you may need to be transferred to another hospital location or admitted for several days. This is unlikely, though.

Is a tonsillectomy covered by my insurance?
Yes, but every policy is different and the reasons for having the procedure done also ranges. It’s best to check with your insurance provider and doctor to ensure it will be covered before scheduling or undergoing the surgery.

Do I need to fast before the surgery?
Yes, depending on the doctor’s orders, you may be asked to refrain from food and liquids anywhere from 6-12 hours before your surgery. Make sure you consult your physician if you are unsure of the fasting period.

Can I eat after the procedure is done?
Yes, it’s best to start with soft foods like pudding or yogurt before eating foods that need to be chewed. You may experience some pain swallowing and occasional bleeding so take it easy and slow at mealtime immediately following the procedure.
If you are having second thoughts on moving forward with your tonsillectomy, you can check out our recommendations on these mandibular advancement devices. They are inexpensive, non-invasive, and effective.

AveoTSD

Phone number: 800-854-7256
Email: mail@glidewelldental.com
Review: AveoTSD
Mailing Address:
Glidewell Laboratories
4141 MacArthur Blvd.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
United States

Good Morning Snore Solution

Phone number: 877-867-6979
Email: info@goodmorningsnoresolution.com
Review: GMSS
Mailing Address:
Mpowrx Health & Wellness Products 2012 INC.
Alastair Ross Technology Centre
Suite 510, 3553 – 31 St Northwest
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2L 2K7

Kudo SnoreFighter

Phone number: 888-538-0766
Email: help@kudosnore.com
Review: SnoreFighter
Mailing Address:
Kudo Empires.
PO Box 630
North Branford, CT 06471
United States

Pacifier

Phone number: 843-213-1734
Email: eliminatorreviews@gmail.com
Review: Pacifier
Mailing Address:
Koncept Innovators
714 Seaboard St
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
United States

Puresleep

Phone number: 866-879-3777
Email: support@puresleep.org
Review: PureSleep
Mailing Address:
The Pure Sleep Company
900 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 207
Larkspur, CA 94939
United States

Ripsnore

Phone number: 1-800-493-1357
Email: orders@ripsnore.com.au
Review: Ripsnore
Mailing Address:
RipSnore
PO Box 130
Billings, MO 65610
United States

SleepPro

Phone number: 0800 699 0844
Email: info@sleeppro.com
Review: SleepPro
Mailing Address:
MEDiTAS Ltd.
5 Broadpiece
Pennyland
Milton Keynes
MK15 8AT
United Kingdom

SleepTight

Phone number: NA
Email: info@sleeptightmouthpiece.com
Review: SleepTight
Mailing Address:
SleepTight
PO Box 551122
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33355
United States

SnoreBan

Phone number: 720-663-8064
Email: sales@snorban.com
Review: Snoreban
Mailing Address:
SnoreBan
PO Box 40349
Denver, CO 80204
United States

SnoreDoc

Phone number: 1-888-778-1143
Email: NA
Review: Snoredoc
Mailing Address: NA

Snore Eliminator Pro

Phone number: 843-213-1734
Email: eliminatorreviews@gmail.com
Review: Eliminator Pro
Mailing Address:
Koncept Innovators
714 Seaboard St
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
United States

SnoreFree Now

Phone number: 888-667-6673
Email: cs@snorefreenow.com
Review: SnoreFree
Mailing Address:
IFMC, Inc.,
21520 Yorba Linda Blvd, Suite 449
Yorba Linda, CA 92887
United States

SnoreMate

Phone number: 877-294-0273
Email: sales@snoremate.com
Review: Snoremate
Mailing Address:
Triointeractive CC
Durban North KwaZulu Natal
South Africa 4019

Snoremeds

Phone number: 2782 550 4140
Email: sales@snoremeds.co.uk
Review: Snoremeds
Mailing Address:
2015 SnoreMeds Online Store
616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-5109
Valley Cottage, NY 10989
United States

Snoremenders

Phone number: 0114 352 0009
Email: help@snoremenders.com
Review: Snoremenders
Mailing Address:
Sleep Well Enjoy Life Ltd.
12 Station Road
Eckington
Sheffield
S21 4FX
United Kingdom

SnoreRx

Phone number: 855-885-2170
Email: customer.service@snorerx.com
Review: SnoreRx
Mailing Address:
Apnea Sciences Corporation
27121 Aliso Creek Road #140
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
United States

Snore Wizard

Phone number: 0800 5283278
Email: Sales@snorewizard.com
Review: Snore Wizard
Mailing Address:
Videcom House,
Newtown Road
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire RG9 1HG

Vitalsleep

Phone number: 866-753-3780
Email: info@vitalsleep.com
Review: Vitalsleep
Mailing Address:
The Snore Reliever Company LLC
347 5th Ave Suite 1402-148
New York, NY 10018
United States

Zquiet

Phone number: 888-521-4931
Email: zquiet@webcsr.info
Review: Zquiet
Mailing Address:
Sleeping Well, LLC
41 Canal Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
United States

Zyppah

Phone number: 800-875-3370
Email: wecare@zyppah.com
Review: Zyppah
Mailing Address:
ZYPPAH, Inc.
4535 W. Sahara Ave Suite 200
Las Vegas, NV 89102
United States

Did we miss one? If you are interested in having your company listed in this directory, simply contact us and provide your phone number, email address, and mailing address and your company will be added.

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☆☆☆☆☆ 3 Star Rating

The Pacifier PAC 100# is a tongue stabilizing device (TSD) that is sold by Koncept Innovators LLC, a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina based company. This product launched in August of 2015.

It’s a one-size-fits-all device that is similar in design to the Good Morning Snore Solution and the aveoTSD. When squeezed and placed on the tip of the tongue, a vacuum is created which draws the tongue into the bulb. A flange rests between the inner portion of the lips and teeth and is used to prevent the Pacifier from slipping further into the mouth. This permits the tongue to remain in the forward position which helps to tighten muscles and tissue in the airway, resulting in a less restricted airway and reduce snoring.

According to the manufacturer, the Pacifier was “Developed in the United States by top researchers in the sleep science field”. While such a claim seems rather impressive, the manufacturer offers no further explanation as to exactly who these “researchers” are or what research has been conducted. After a bit of searching, I was unable to locate any credible research to support these claims.

Directions for Use

Inserting the mouthpiece involves a five-step process.

1. Using your thumb and index finger from both hands, squeeze down on the bulb to remove as much air as possible.
2. Insert the flange of the mouthpiece into your mouth in between the lips and the teeth. Only the bulb portion should be showing on the outside of your mouth.
3. While still pinching the bulb, use your mouth to suck any additional air out and to create a vacuum.
4. Slip the tip of your tongue into the bulb and slowly release. This should draw the tongue into the bulb.
5. Relax your mouth and tongue. The mouthpiece should stay in place with the bulb showing just outside of your mouth.

Removing the device is simple.

1. Use your thumb and index fingers to gently press in on the bulb. Doing so will break the vacuum and allow you to release your tongue.
2. Pull and remove from your mouth.

Additional Fitting

If you find that the Pacifier could use a bit of customizing, the manufacturer recommends using a pair of scissors to trim it to your liking. They recommend marking the mouthpiece and then using a pair of scissors to cut off the excess material.

Physical Description

The pacifier is made from a soft, flexible plastic. While the manufacturer does not specify exactly what it’s made of, it appears to be made from a silicone-like material. As the name suggests, this device resembles a pacifier yet without the nipple. Instead, it has an inverted bulb that is used to hold the tongue in place.

Small slots cut above, below, and on either side of the bulb are believed to be breather holes although due to the placement, they serve little to no purpose. Also, a very small semi-circular piece protrudes from the tip of the bulb which also seems to serve no purpose.

Here are the product specifications :

Weight: 4.8 gm
Material thickness: 1.5 mm (.059″)
Overall Height: 41.5 mm (1.63″)
Overall Width: 60 mm (2.37″)
Overall Depth: 18.21 mm (.72″)
Bulb Height (OD): 12.71 mm (.50″)
Bulb Width (OD): 33.30 mm (1.31″)
Bulb Depth: 13.63 mm (.54″)

What Makes the Pacifier Different?

For over two decades, the mandibular advancement device or “MAD” has been the gold standard when it comes to preventing snoring. MAD’s are typically custom fitted at home using a pot of boiling hot water. Once a custom mold has been created, the mouthpiece is placed between the teeth inside of the mouth. The MAD works by holding the jaw forward and opening up the airway thereby preventing tissues in the airway from vibrating against each other. The vibration of airway tissues is often cited as the source of the sound that we know as snoring.

In contrast, TSD’s such as the Pacifier, do not require heating and can be used directly out of the packaging (after being washed of course).  They simply attach to the tip of the tongue and prevent it from falling backward. The tongue stabilizing action also opens the airway and prevents tissues from colliding with each other. One distinct advantage of the TSD is that it can be used by those who wear dentures.

Effectively, both mouthpiece styles achieve similar results.

Is it BPA Free and FDA Cleared?

In the US, oral appliances that are used to prevent snoring are considered a class II medical device. Manufacturers who sell such devices are required to have their product “cleared” by the FDA prior to being able to offer it for sale.

The product packaging that I received did not indicate whether or not the Pacifier has been cleared by the FDA. After searching the FDA medical device database, I was unable to locate a product registered as “The Pacifier”.

Also, neither the product packaging nor the company’s website shows the “BPA Free” symbol. However, after publishing this review I was contacted by the manufacturer who informed me that the Pacifier is, in fact, BPA free.

It doesn’t appear that the Pacifier is FDA cleared.

Country of Origin

Information on the company’s website as well as the product packaging does not give us any indication as to where this mouthpiece is produced. It’s however believed that the Pacifier is made in China.

Cost

The Snore Pacifier can be purchased from the companies website for $29.99 which includes free shipping within the United States.

In comparison to other TSD style mouthpieces, this one is priced significantly less. The Good Morning Snore Solution, it’s the closest competitor, sells for $99.94.

Good Morning Snore Solution VS The Pacifier

The Good Morning Snore Solution (GMSS) and the Pacifier have several similarities as well as differences.

Both devices are made from a similar silicone material that is soft, pliable, and equally thick.

These two products also share a very similar sized tongue bulb, although each has a slightly different shape.

Both come with a 30-day guarantee and are expected to last up to 1 year.

Where these two differ, is the design and shape of the flange that rests between the gums and teeth. The function of this component is to keep the mouthpiece in place and the tongue in the forward position as you sleep.

The Pacifier flange is fairly flat and contacts a small portion of the teeth and gums at the front of the mouth. In contrast, the GMSS conforms to the shape of the mouth with a “v” shaped flange design that fits closely to the gums and wraps all the way around to the molar area. The flange design of the GMSS gives it a competitive advantage over the Pacifier because it contacts more surface area of the gums which provides a better fit and helps to prevent movement of the device.

My Experience Using the Pacifier

In the past, I have tested two other tongue stabilizing devices with outstanding results. Due to the relatively high price tag of both devices, I was eager to find a less expensive alternative to the tried-and-true Good Morning Snore that I have used for quite some time now. Priced at $30, it’s nearly a quarter of the cost of competing TSD’s.

The Pacifier took about 4 days to arrive and was contained within a clear clamshell retail package. The package contained an informational booklet, the pacifier, and a storage case.

The instructions were fairly complete and included photos of how the device should be used.

I found the plastic storage case to be simple yet functional. This was a nice bonus that did not come with competing products.

As for the mouthpiece, my first observation was that it’s flatter and smaller than the GMSS that I have been accustomed to using for some time now.

After reading over the provided instructions, I cleaned off the Pacifier and affixed it to the end of my tongue. I found the suction power to be equivalent to the GMSS. At this point, I anticipated great results from this product.

The first night that I put it to the test I found it next to my pillow the following morning. At some point during the night, it must have fallen out.

Over the next 7 days that I tried the Pacifier, there were two instances where the mouthpiece fell out at night while I was sleeping. I believe that the flat, non-V shaped flange did not rest flat against my teeth and gums, allowing a loss of suction throughout the night as it worked itself loose.

I’m told that it was effective against my snoring during the nights that I was able to keep it attached to my tongue. It, of course, had no effect during the nights that it fell out.

Overall, I believe that the Pacifier could be a great alternative to the more expensive GMSS if the manufacturer were to make a few design changes to make the flange into more of a V shape to make it similar to the GMSS so that it fits the natural contour of the mouth.

Pros Vs Cons

Pros

• Made from quality silicone-like material
• Effectively silences snoring
• One-size-fits-all
• Comes with 30-day guarantee
• Inexpensive at $29.99
• Can last for up to 1 year

Cons

• Flat flange design allows it to fall off at night
• Not FDA Cleared

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