The most common (Gold Standard) medical treatment for sleep apnoea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which is a therapy that uses pressure from an air blower to circulate air through the nasal passages and upper airway.

The patient wears a mask over the nose that is connected to the air pressure hose, and the air pressure is adjusted to keep the airway open during sleep.

Clinical effect is reliant on the mask maintaining a complete seal without air leak to maintain an even pressure at the back of the throat to keep the airways open.

Patient compliance is a major problem especially with mild-moderate Sleep Apnoea sufferers and younger patients. (reported to be as low as 26%)

Initial set up costs are expensive (Aust$1400.00 - $3000.00) with purchase of CPAP machine and Mask. Patient’s have ongoing costs to maintain the CPAP machine and replacement parts for Masks if not buying different Masks to try and acquire one that is suitable for them.