Breath monitoring device is a medical device that lives inside your mouth and is used instead of a stethoscope to listen to your heart or lung sounds. Monitoring someone’s heartbeat or breathing patterns during sleep is the most common use for these devices, but they can be used in other clinical settings as well. The device uses a microphone, an air pump, alloy filters that pull air across the speaker grill, and an amplifier which amplifies sound waves. This device is commonly paired with a pulse oximeter which detects how much oxygen you are breathing.
Tips to buy the best breath monitoring device
- The size of the filter is one of the most important features to look for.
Huge filters can reduce speech intelligibility, and smaller filters can make it harder to hear sounds comfortably, even if you are breathing normally. The right filter size will depend on your personal preference. If you are slightly claustrophobic, a large filter might be ideal while a small, round filter may work better for someone who is not claustrophobic. If you have smaller lips or feel like you need more protection from infection and germs, another option to consider is having a device that uses disposable filters instead of an air pump.
- A device with a built-in power source can save you money.
Some devices use disposable batteries, while others have AC power adapters. Keeping track of your batteries and charging your devices can be a hassle. These extra steps can also distract your partner or client from their condition and treatment, which is not ideal during a sleep study or while they are resting in their own home. These options are safer because they eliminate the risk of battery leakage onto the skin or another person at home.
- It is important to choose a device that meets your needs.
If you are sensitive to sound and find it difficult to sleep in noisy environments, you might want a device that allows you to wear headphones with background sounds. A device with a large filter size can help improve speech intelligibility if you can hear the monitor easily, but are slightly claustrophobic. An in-ear monitor is an option if these other options do not work for you or if you prefer its convenience when traveling or at home. The right choice will depend on what works best for your needs and preferences, and this information should be included in any product specifications listed by the manufacturer.
- A continuous-wear option can be helpful for people who move around frequently in their sleep.
Clinicians often recommend a continuous-wear device as the most convenient option for patients. These devices are beneficial for people who move around in their sleep frequently and may not stay on their back during the night. Because these devices overlap, they are still comfortable to wear, even if you toss and turn a lot during the night. Since these devices stay securely on your skin, they are ideal for monitoring someone’s breathing patterns throughout the night.
- A pulse oximeter is a helpful addition to monitoring someone’s oxygen levels during the night.
Pulse oximeters are available in different types, with some monitors allowing you to monitor the pulse rate on top of the blood oxygen level. Pulse oximeters are useful as sleep studies because they can detect how much blood your body is giving off, helping determine if you have Partial Sleep Apnea (PSA). Real-time monitoring is crucial for addressing this condition and judging if your breathing patterns are more likely due to an underlying cause. If your breath sounds are normal, but your pulse oximeter reads 85% as low as it should be, this could indicate PSA.