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Guide · 2 min read

Home Sleep Test – Convenient At-Home Sleep Apnea Testing

Test for sleep apnea from the comfort of your own bed with a portable home sleep testing device.

Medically reviewed by , board-certified in sleep medicine and pediatrics · Last reviewed

General information, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.

SLEEP TESTING · HOME TEST

Home sleep test at a glance

  • You test for obstructive sleep apnea in your own bed.
  • It costs less than an in-lab study.
  • There's no overnight stay at a sleep lab.
  • Results usually come within a few days.
  • Some people need an in-lab study instead.

A home sleep test (Home Sleep Apnea Test or HSAT) lets you test for obstructive sleep apnea from the comfort of your own home. It's an easy, lower-cost alternative to an in-lab sleep study. You wear a small device in your own bed for up to 3 nights.

How does a home sleep test work?

After your consultation with Dr. Patel, you'll receive a small portable device to take home. The device typically measures:

  • Airflow — Through a nasal cannula (a thin tube under your nose)
  • Blood oxygen levels — Through a finger sensor
  • Chest movement — With a belt around your chest
  • Body position — How you lie while you sleep
  • Heart rate — How fast your heart beats

How does our home sleep test program work?

  1. Deposit — We ask for a deposit for the device. Our office will tell you the amount.
  2. Pickup or mail — Pick up the device at our clinic in Leander. We can also mail it to you for an extra fee.
  3. Up to 3 nights — You can wear the device for up to 3 nights in a row.
  4. Return date — We give you a date to bring or send the device back.
  5. Device care — Extra charges apply if the device is lost, damaged or not returned.

Have a question about the deposit or fees? Call our office at (512) 931-1575.

What are the advantages?

  • Sleep in your own bed — Your sleep is more natural at home
  • Lower cost — It costs less than in-lab studies
  • No overnight stay — You don't stay the night at a sleep lab
  • Easy pickup — Pick it up at our Leander clinic, or have it mailed for an extra fee

When is an in-lab study better?

Home sleep tests are not right for everyone. You may need an in-lab study if you have:

  • Central sleep apnea — Your doctor suspects central sleep apnea (when the brain does not send the signal to breathe)
  • Heart or lung disease — You have significant heart or lung disease
  • Other sleep disorders — Your doctor suspects narcolepsy or another disorder that is not sleep apnea
  • A negative home test — Your home test was negative, but your doctor still strongly suspects sleep apnea

Call (512) 931-1575 to find out if a home sleep test is right for you.

SLEEP TESTING · HOME VS LAB

Home test vs. in-lab study

Home sleep testIn-lab study
Where you sleepYour own bedA sleep lab overnight
CostLowerHigher
Best forDeciding factorAdults likely to have moderate to severe obstructive apneaChildren and complex medical conditions
Other sleep problemsNot for suspected central apnea or narcolepsySuspected central apnea, narcolepsy or other disorders
Heart or lung diseaseNot for significant heart or lung diseaseMay be needed
Negative test, strong symptomsMay miss or underestimate apneaNeeded if your doctor still suspects apnea

SLEEP TESTING · HOME TEST

How a home sleep test works

  1. 1

    Consultation

    Your sleep doctor checks if a home test fits you.

  2. 2

    Take device home

    You get a small portable device to wear in bed.

  3. 3

    Sleep as usual

    It measures airflow, oxygen, chest movement, position and heart rate.

  4. 4

    Get results

    Results usually come within a few days.

Common questions

How accurate is a home sleep test?
Home sleep tests are highly accurate for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea in the right patients. In some cases they may show the sleep apnea as milder than it is. That is why follow-up with a sleep specialist is important.
Who is a good candidate for a home sleep test?
Adults who very likely have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, and who have no other major health problems, are ideal candidates. Children and patients with complex medical conditions typically need in-lab studies.
How long can I keep the home sleep test device?
You can wear it for up to 3 nights. We give you a return date when you get the device. Extra charges apply if the device is lost, damaged or not returned.
Can the home sleep test be mailed to me?
Yes. You can pick up the device at our clinic in Leander, or we can mail it to you for an extra fee. A deposit is needed either way.

Trusted medical sources

This page follows guidance and research from leading medical organizations.

AASMNHLBISleep FoundationMayo ClinicCDC

Further reading

Part of our sleep studies service.

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