Sleep Apnea

THE EAR INSTITUTE OF TEXAS

Ear Institute of Texas treats all aspects of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing that can last for a few seconds to minutes and may occur multiple times throughout the night. Board-certified Otolaryngologists Jessica Kepchar, DO and James Fowler, MD both treat patients for sleep apnea and offer Inspire® for sleep apnea.

Man with CPAP machine on and sleeping

Overview

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP therapy involves the use of a CPAP machine, which delivers a continuous stream of air through a mask. The machine prevents the airway from collapsing or becoming blocked, thus ensuring a steady supply of air to the lungs. By maintaining open airways, CPAP therapy helps prevent the interruptions in breathing associated with sleep apnea.

Inspire® for sleep apnea

CPAP works for a lot of people, but some patients struggle to find a consistent benefit. Inspire® is a no mask, no hose option for sleep apnea. A patient is only eligible for Inspire® when they have tried CPAP (and not found relief) first.
Inspire® specifically treats obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is the most prevalent form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax excessively, leading to a partial or complete blockage of the airway. As a result, the individual experiences a temporary cessation of breathing.


The Inspire® implant is the only FDA-approved OSA therapy that works inside your body. The small Inspire® implant delivers gentle pulses to your airway muscles to keep your airway open. Over 99.5% of Inspire implant procedures are successfully completed without any major complications. The small Inspire® implant is placed near your collarbone during an approximately 90-minute outpatient procedure. After the procedure, most people require nothing more than over-the-counter pain medication, and within a few days, can resume non-strenuous activities.


Sleep remote on book on table
Inspire logo

Inspire therapy has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Proper treatment may lead to an increase in the ability to perform daily tasks and a decrease in risks associated with untreated OSA: accidents (e.g., motor vehicle accidents), hypertension, stroke, diabetes, vascular disease, heart failure, and early mortality.

Schedule a sleep apnea EVALUATION 

Have Questions?

Our staff is available to take your calls Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm. You are also welcome to drop in to set up an appointment during normal office hours. To schedule an initial appointment with one of our audiologists, you may give us a call directly at (210) 696-4327 (HEAR). We look forward to hearing from you! “Better HEARing for a better life.