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.

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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.


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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.