Why Older Adults Should Take Snoring Seriously August 18, 2026 Why Older Adults Should Take Snoring Seriously Snoring often gets dismissed as a harmless quirk of getting older, something to chuckle about or politely ignore. But for older adults, snoring can be a sign of something far more significant happening during sleep, and it's worth paying closer attention to than most people realise. A Surprisingly Common Condition Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is far more common in older adults than most people assume. Some research suggests that nearly half of people aged 60 to 85 may have the condition, yet the vast majority remain undiagnosed.1 Part of the problem is that OSA in older adults often doesn't look the way we expect it to. Many people picture a tired, loudly snoring, overweight middle-aged man, but older adults with sleep apnea are often less likely to snore loudly or feel excessively sleepy during the day compared to younger people with the same condition.1 This means the usual warning signs can be much harder to spot, both for the person experiencing it and for the people around them. Why It Happens More As We Age As we get older, natural changes in the airway and the muscles that keep it open make it more likely to collapse during sleep. The tissue at the back of the throat changes shape, and the muscles responsible for keeping the airway open become less responsive overnight.1 Sleeping on your back can make things worse too, since older adults are more prone to apnea events while lying in this position.1 For women, the risk rises notably after menopause, with some research showing the likelihood of developing sleep apnea nearly doubling during this stage of life.3 Why It Matters Because the classic warning signs can be less obvious in older adults, sleep apnea often gets missed or mistaken for ordinary tiredness, frequent trips to the bathroom at night, or other age-related issues.1 Left unaddressed, sleep apnea has been linked to a range of health concerns, including cardiovascular problems and increased difficulty with memory and concentration over time.4 What Treatment Looks Like The most established treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine, which works by gently blowing air through a mask, opening the airway and eliminating the breathing interruptions that disrupt sleep.4 For those who find a mask uncomfortable, another option is the mandibular advancement splint (MAS): a custom-fitted mouthguard that holds your lower jaw slightly forward while you sleep, helping to keep your airway open and reduce breathing interruptions.4 Don't Brush It Off If you or someone you love snores loudly, wakes up frequently during the night, or seems unusually tired despite getting what looks like a full night's sleep, it's worth raising with a doctor. A simple sleep study can confirm what's going on and open the door to treatment that genuinely improves quality of life. Snoring in older age isn't something to laugh off. It's worth a proper conversation with your GP. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 90 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and Treatment Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time. If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. MAS is intended to reduce or alleviate snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study, MAS, or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply. References Heinzer, R, et al. “Prevalence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in the General Population: The HypnoLaus Study.” The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, vol. 3, no. 4, Apr. 2015, pp. 310–318, https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-2600(15)00043-0. Brower, David, et al. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Aging: A Narrative Review.” Sleep Medicine Research, vol. 16, no. 3, 29 Sept. 2025, pp. 139–150, https://doi.org/10.17241/smr.2025.02964. Sforza, E., et al. “Sex Differences in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in an Elderly French Population.” European Respiratory Journal, vol. 37, no. 5, 3 Sept. 2010, pp. 1137–1143, https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.00043210. Accessed 6 Nov. 2022. Sleep Health Foundation. “Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) | Sleep Health Foundation.” Www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au, 2024, www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-disorders/obstructive-sleep-apnoea.
