AIRLIFT is a Strong Alternative to Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HNS)

If you’re living with sleep apnea, you know how debilitating it can be. Not only do you suffer from loud snoring and restless nights, but it can also leave you feeling exhausted and groggy the next day. Luckily, there are treatments available to help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea. Two popular options are hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) and AIRLIFT.

While both treatments are effective, AIRLIFT has numerous advantages over hypoglossal nerve stimulation that make it a great choice for many patients.

Here are the top reasons why AIRLIFT is a great sleep apnea treatment compared with HNS:

1. No BMI or Anatomical Restrictions

AIRLIFT has no BMI or apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) restrictions. This means that patients with a wider range of body types and OSA severity can benefit from AIRLIFT’s therapy. Whether you’re overweight or have a sky-high AHI, AIRLIFT can provide an effective treatment solution for your sleep apnea.

2. Immediate Therapy

HNS surgery installs the implant, but then several weeks for full recovery are required before the device can be turned on.  In contrast, AIRLIFT therapy starts immediately—meaning that patients may start feeling relief from sleep apnea symptoms right away.

3. No Patient Compliance Required

One of the biggest advantages of AIRLIFT is that it does not require patient compliance. Once the device is installed, patients do not have to do anything else to continue receiving treatment. In contrast, HNS requires patients to regularly turn on and adjust the device, which can limit the overall delivery of therapy.

4. Low Burden on the Patient

AIRLIFT requires implantation and then usually a one-week follow-up appointment to check on your recovery.  HNS, on the other hand, will require multiple appointments after implantation for procedure follow-up, device activation, and therapy titration.

5. Reversible and Removable

If for any reason you decide that AIRLIFT is no longer the right treatment option for you, our solution can be safely and easily removed. Things are more difficult for the removal of HNS, which has an electrode wrapped around your nerve as well as more implanted hardware in the tongue, neck, and chest.

As we navigate the complex world of sleep apnea treatments, AIRLIFT emerges as an excellent option when compared to Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation. Its lack of BMI or AHI restrictions, immediate therapy, minimal patient burden, reversible/removable features, and compatibility with private healthcare payers positions AIRLIFT as an innovative and patient-centric solution. Discover more about this groundbreaking approach to sleep apnea treatment by visiting our Find A Doctor page, and speaking to a physician in your area today.