Not a Candidate for Inspire Therapy? AIRLIFT® May Be Your Answer.

Not a Candidate for Inspire Therapy? AIRLIFT® May Be Your Answer.

A woman resting in bed, surrounded by soft blue sheets.

Many Patients can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the AIRLIFT® sleep apnea procedure does not have AHI or BMI restrictions for gaining access to treatment. They appreciate the minimally invasive approach and quick recovery timeline without a wait and adjustment period for getting on the path to a well-rested and more energetic lifestyle. During the AIRLIFT procedure, the hyoid bone is repositioned and suspended to expand and stabilize the airway. This improves your breathing throughout the night’s sleep. It is a treatment that is always working for you, with no need to be turned on to benefit, unlike CPAP or hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS).

The Path to the AIRLIFT Hyoid Suspension Procedure

CPAP: If you’re a disgruntled CPAP user who’s just not finding relief, we’re glad you’ve discovered AIRLIFT. It’s normal to find CPAP challenging due to the uncomfortable mask, potential dryness and congestion, the bulkiness of the machine, and even the loud noises the CPAP machine makes.

AIRLIFT eliminates the need for a mask, along with the uncomfortable dryness and congestion that might accompany it. AIRLIFT also spares patients from toting around a bulky machine or suffering through the ongoing hum of CPAP’s pump and airflow.

HNS: HNS, the technology behind the Inspire sleep apnea solution, requires a longer and more complex treatment pathway than AIRLIFT. HNS involves implanting a device under the skin of the chest and bringing an electrode up through the neck and into the base of the tongue. These implants must heal for a month or so before the HNS system is first activated. After that, the therapy must be titrated, typically over a few months, up to a level where it can provide benefit to your sleep apnea. You will not know if HNS is a successful treatment option for you until all the titration efforts have been tried. As a result, after several months of work, you may find yourself back at square one, and a restful night’s sleep seems like a distant…well…dream.

AIRLIFT and Inspire are both innovative options for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who struggle with CPAP. While both are mask-free alternatives, Inspire does come with some limitations. Not everyone is a candidate for Inspire. Patients who don’t meet certain BMI or AHI requirements or who have complete concentric collapse of the soft palate may not qualify for the procedure.1, 2 These limitations and this have led you here – to AIRLIFT.

Benefits of the AIRLIFT Hyoid Suspension Procedure

In addition to being an effective treatment with a minimally invasive approach and quick recovery timeline, other benefits include:

  • DURABILITY: It is a durable and long-lasting solution, with no device to learn or equipment to set up.
  • COMPATABILITY: AIRLIFT works in conjunction with other sleep apnea procedures that you may need.
  • MINIMAL POST-OP STEPS: It’s very safe and hassle-free – there’s nothing for you to do after implantation and no physical limitations.
  • AFFORDABILITY: AIRLIFT is reimbursed by most insurance and Medicare/Medicaid.

Next Steps if You Have Discovered that You Do Not Qualify for Inspire

To be evaluated for AIRLIFT, you need to consult with a sleep specialist who will determine if the hyoid suspension procedure could be a good option for you.

If you don’t already have a sleep specialist, we recommend getting started by finding an AIRLIFT provider near you. These providers can talk you through your options and answer any initial questions you may have.

Sources:

  1. Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital. Brighamandwomensfaulkner.org. Published 2025. Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www.brighamandwomensfaulkner.org/programs-and-services/sleep-medicine-and-endocrinology/sleep-medicine-inspire
  2. The emerging option of upper airway stimulation therapy – Mayo Clinic. www.mayoclinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/pulmonary-medicine/news/the-emerging-option-of-upper-airway-stimulation-therapy/mac-20431242

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