This page is for the ApneaLink Air home study device. Click here for the Sleep Fairy device.

Take-Home Sleep Apnea Test Instructions

Provided below are the SleepSomatics patient directions for the ResMed ApneaLink Air Take-Home Sleep Apnea Test. This is a self-administered test. Please watch the ApneaLink Air user video and read all directions before beginning your test.

If you experience an emergency during your home sleep test, do not call or return to SleepSomatics. Please immediately call 911.

*** READ this IMPORTANT INFORMATION FIRST ***

Important Note about Device: The ResMed ApneaLink Air is individually cleaned prior to usage. Some orange discoloration may occur due to the germicidal disinfectant. A white film may be visible on the hinge elbow which is due to the natural mineral film deposit left by tap water following the washing of the equipment. Your device has been thoroughly cleaned for your usage.

Important Note about Optional Tape: The ResMed ApneaLink Air video shows usage of hospital tape with your home sleep test. Due to concerns of skin irritation and allergic reactions to hospital tape, SleepSomatics does not provide hospital tape for home sleep testing. Patients may use optional hospital tape at their own discretion.

Important Note about Finger Sensor: The ResMed ApneaLink Air device may provide a red, blinking light on your pulse oximeter finger sensor. This often occurs due to excess humidity, sweating, or finger swelling (such as due to a salty dinner). As long as your finger sensor has a visible red light within the finger sensor itself, your device is correctly recording data.

Important Note about Respiratory Effort Sensor: The ResMed ApneaLink Air device may provide a red, blinking light on your respiratory effort sensor band due to movement. Ensure the band is pulled securely and snugly across the chest. If the band is snug across the chest, there should be sufficient signal once you fall asleep (and you are no longer awake and moving).

STEP 1: WATCH VIDEO

STEP 2: READ DIRECTIONS

For questions, read the ResMed ApneaLink Air manufacturer's instructions included in your kit. If you have misplaced your copy, click link here for online copy.

STEP 3: PERFORM SETUP

Insert a pair of new AAA batteries into the back of the Device. Setup the ResMed ApneaLink Air on your person on the outside of your sleep attire following the manufacturer's directions and video. For both male and female patients, we advise that there is no bare-chested or nude sleeping with the device. Please wear at least a t-shirt or pajama top and bottom to sleep with the device.

STEP 4: GO TO SLEEP

Sleep in a position that is most comfortable for you. If you are able to sleep supine (on your back), you may be encouraged to do so as sleep apnea and snoring tend to be more prominent when sleeping on your back. However, follow your physician or healthcare provider's directions (if any) regarding sleep position.

If you awaken at any point during the night to change sleep position or use the restroom, we recommend you reconfirm correct sensor placement with (3) green lights and troubleshoot as needed.

Please remove the ResMed ApneaLink Air from your person before smoking, eating, drinking, or bathing. 

STEP 5: PACK AND RETURN TEST KIT TO SLEEPSOMATICS

After the test is over, pack all items back into the travel case (including the disposable nasal cannula) and return to SleepSomatics at the scheduled return date/time window. There is a $250.00 daily charge for devices not returned fully and operable. The replacement cost is $2,900.00 for broken, inoperable, damaged devices or those that are not returned in usable condition to SleepSomatics.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  • Take-home sleep apnea testing is a screening tool and estimation of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, oxygen saturation, and heart rate. Home sleep testing does not diagnose or treat any other sleep disorders. Home sleep testing does not measure or quantify neurological sleep, sleep continuity, or restorative sleep indices.

  • For both male and female patients, we advise that there is no bare-chested or nude sleeping with the device. Please wear at least a t-shirt or pajama top and bottom to sleep with the device.

  • This is an unattended procedure, so there is not a sleep technician monitoring your device usage during your at-home testing, nor does the device transmit wireless data to SleepSomatics for monitoring or technical assistance.

  • Please remove the ResMed ApneaLink Air from your person before smoking, eating, drinking, or bathing.

  • If you experience an emergency during your home sleep test, do not call or return to SleepSomatics. Please immediately call 911.

MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTIONS:

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

  • Why is the Test Complete light red?

    • The Test Complete light will turn green only if four (4) hours of ‘validated data’ is recorded. The Device utilizes an automated algorithm to confirm if data is ‘valid’ or not during testing. ‘Invalid’ data would include time periods when your nasal cannula was removed during testing but may also include periods of excess movement. However, this algorithm is not always accurate. For this reason, SleepSomatics employs ‘manual validation’ to re-confirm the entirety of your test data upon return. It is therefore possible that there is sufficient ‘valid’ data for review once you return the Device to SleepSomatics. Continue with your scheduled testing regardless of whether the Test Complete light turns red or green.

  • Why does the belt sensor light stay red?

    • The ResMed ApneaLink Air device may provide a red, blinking light on your respiratory effort sensor band due to movement. Ensure the band is pulled securely and snugly across the chest. If the band is snug across the chest, there should be sufficient signal once you fall asleep (and you are no longer awake and moving).

  • Why does the finger sensor light stay red?

    • The ResMed ApneaLink Air device may provide a red, blinking light on your pulse oximeter finger sensor. This often occurs due to excess humidity, sweating, or finger swelling (such as due to a salty dinner). As long as your finger sensor has a visible red light within the finger sensor itself, your device is correctly recording data.

  • When do I turn it on/off?

    • The Device should remain ON when you are asleep and OFF when you are awake (or out of bed for more than a couple of minutes). The Device data does not erase when you turn it OFF. The Device ON/OFF switch is on the front of the Device.

  • How should I sleep during my test?

    • Try to maintain as normal and usual of sleep and lifestyle routine as an average night of sleep during your testing. Making dramatic changes may reduce the validity of the testing results.

    • Sleep in a position that is most comfortable for you (on your back or your side). However, we recommend against sleeping on your stomach (or prone) due to the increase in potential data errors with prone sleep.

  • Can I take a sleep aide during my test?

    • You should maintain your normal routine (including prescription and over-the-counter medication usage). Changes to your normal routine may reduce testing validity. Please note any medication or supplement usage on your testing paperwork / survey.

    • You are permitted to take an over-the-counter sleep aide such as Melatonin during testing. Please note any medication or supplement usage on your testing paperwork / survey.

  • What if alcohol / marijuana usage is my normal sleep or lifestyle routine?

    • Minor alcohol usage may be consumed in the evening if this is part of your normal sleep or lifestyle routine. Please note any alcohol usage on your testing paperwork / survey.

    • This is a medical diagnostic procedure. Intoxication is prohibited and may present safety risks or issues for patients who disregard these directions.

  • How do I fall asleep with the device on?

    • To assist with acclimation and reduce anxiety, it can be helpful to setup your Sleep Monitor Device on your person (but leave it turned OFF) and sit upright in a chair and relax while reading or watching television 1-2 hours before your normal sleep time.

  • What is the paperwork / survey used for?

    • SleepSomatics analyzes both quantitative and quantitative data when evaluating your sleep during testing. The included paperwork / surveys provides us with subjective feedback on how each night of testing went and what (if any) changes to your normal sleep routines and patterns occurred which may increase or reduce testing validity.

  • Why do I have to complete the paperwork / survey?

    • Your home sleep study is evaluated by our board certified sleep specialist usually within 7 days following return of your device. Providing partial, incomplete, or conversational feedback to our staff (instead of thoroughly completing your paperwork / survey) may reduce testing validity.

    • We have many patients picking up or returning Sleep Monitor Devices to our clinic at any given time. Please complete your paperwork / survey prior to returning to SleepSomatics to ensure testing validity. Please ensure your name and date of birth is recorded on every page returned.

  • What does this device test / what are the sensors detecting?

    • Take-home sleep apnea testing is a screening tool and estimation of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, oxygen saturation, and heart rate. Home sleep testing does not diagnose or treat any other sleep disorders. Home sleep testing does not measure or quantify neurological sleep, sleep continuity, or restorative sleep indices.

    • The Sleep Monitor Device and its chest belt record the pattern of your breathing.

    • The nasal cannula records the pressure of your breathing and snoring.

    • The finger sensor records the saturation of oxygen in your blood and your heart rate.

  • May I sleep nude / partially-nude during testing?

    • For both male and female patients, please wear at least a t-shirt or pajama top and bottom to sleep with the device.

  • What do I do in an emergency?

    • If you experience an emergency during your home sleep test, do not call or return to SleepSomatics. Please immediately call 911. This is an unattended procedure, so there is not a sleep technician monitoring your Sleep Monitor Device usage during your at-home testing, nor does the device transmit wireless data to SleepSomatics for monitoring or technical assistance.

  • When do I take the device off?

    • Please remove the Sleep Monitor Device from your person before smoking, vaping, eating, drinking, or bathing.

INFORMATION ABOUT MY KIT:

  • The device has been calibrated and confirmed operable as of your setup appointment.

  • The device surface as been cleaned with a germicidal disinfectant and gentle soap.

  • Each single-use, disposable nasal cannula is provided unopened for your sole use for one (1) night of testing.