Why Is My Snoring So Loud?

Loud snoring is more than a punchline. Across studies of adult snorers, partners report measured peaks of 60–90 dB — comparable to a vacuum cleaner running next to your face.

Loud snoring matters for two reasons:

1. Relationship cost — partners are losing sleep too.
2. Possible signal — louder, more obstructive snoring patterns are statistically more associated with breathing irregularities (hypopneas, apneas).

That doesn't mean every loud snorer has sleep apnea. It means loud snoring deserves attention — not just earplugs.

The 4 patterns of snoring (and what each suggests)

Not all loud snoring is the same. SomniSense and sleep specialists classify snoring into 4 acoustic patterns, each pointing to a different anatomical source:

🔊 Palatal snoring (most common)

The soft palate vibrates as air passes. Classic "rumble." Typical triggers: back-sleep, alcohol, weight gain. Often improves with: side-sleep, weight loss, anti-snore pillow.

🔊 Tongue-base snoring

The tongue falls back, partially blocking the airway. Lower-pitched. Typical triggers: alcohol, sedatives, deep sleep stages. More associated with breathing pauses — worth tracking closely. Often improves with: avoiding alcohol within 3 hours of bed, side-sleep, head-of-bed elevation.

🔊 Epiglottic snoring

The epiglottis (cartilage above the voicebox) flaps during inhale. Often quieter but irregular. More associated with apnea events; worth a specialist consult if frequent.

🔊 Nasal snoring

The "whistle" or "whine." Usually from congestion or narrow nasal passages. Often improves with: saline rinse, nasal strips, treating allergies.

If you don't know which pattern is yours, you're guessing at interventions. SomniSense classifies your snoring acoustically so you don't have to guess.

Six things to try tonight (in order of cost and effort)

1. Side-sleep tonight. Sew a tennis ball into a t-shirt. Crude but works. ~50% of palatal snorers see meaningful drops.
2. Skip alcohol within 3 hours of bed. Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles that hold your airway open.
3. Elevate the head of your bed 4–6 inches. Use blocks under the bedposts (not extra pillows — those bend your neck the wrong way).
4. Try an anti-snore pillow ($30–60). Holds head/neck in a position less prone to palatal collapse.
5. Try nasal strips or saline rinse if your snoring is whistling or you wake congested ($5–15).
6. Lose 5–10 lbs if you're carrying extra weight, especially around the neck. Even small reductions help meaningfully.

When loud snoring isn't just loud snoring

See a sleep specialist if you (or your partner) notice any of these:

• You stop breathing for visible periods, then gasp.
• You wake unrefreshed regardless of how long you slept.
• You fall asleep at red lights or during meetings.
• Morning headaches more than 3 days a week.
• Your BRI (or AHI on a clinical study) is consistently above 15.
• Your blood pressure is rising for no other clear reason.

In the United States, the standard pathway is: GP referral → sleep specialist consult → home sleep apnea test (HSAT) or in-lab polysomnography → diagnosis & treatment plan.

SomniSense doesn't replace this pathway. It can give you objective data to bring to the consult.

How SomniSense helps

• ✅ Snore type classification (which of the 4 patterns is yours)
• ✅ See & Hear Playback — press play on the loudest snores
• ✅ Per-event timestamps — see when in the night your snoring peaks
• ✅ Lifestyle Lab™ — test interventions on YOUR body, not population averages
• ✅ 30/90-day trends to confirm an intervention is working
• ✅ PDF export to bring to a sleep specialist

Free plan: tonight's report + 7-day trends. Pro ($7.99/mo or $49.99/yr): 30/90-day trends + Factor Impact + PDF export.

Common questions