In-Home Sleep Test vs. an In-Center Sleep Study

If you need to be tested for a sleep disorder, there are a couple different types of tests available: Home Sleep Testing (HST) or a traditional overnight stay in a sleep center. This page will explain the different types of tests and the advantages of each. 

Home Sleep Testing (HST)

A Home Sleep Test takes place in the comfort and convenience of a patient's home. Prior to the test, the patient is instructed by a technician on how to use the home-testing machine. The patient then goes home, turns on the machine, and sleeps in his own bed while the machine records metrics like the patient's pulse and the effort he/she is using to breathe. It is a simple, comfortable way to assess if you are suffering from a sleep disorder. 

In-Center Sleep Test (Polysomnogram) 

A traditional sleep study occurs out of the house at a sleep center. The patient sleeps overnight in a private room. In-center testing permits detailed monitoring of the patient’s brainwaves, oxygen saturation, leg motion, and other critical benchmarks for diagnosing a variety of sleep disorders. A technician oversees the patient throughout the night to ensure the most detailed results possible. 

3 Reasons to Have a Home Sleep Test 

1. Comfort. Taking the test in your own home allows you to sleep in a familiar, comfortable environment. 
2. Accessibility. HST is convenient because you do not have to spend the night in a sleep center. Also, it is accessible to those who are home-bound, such as the elderly or those with illnesses. 
3. Cost. Home testing is a fraction of the cost of testing in a lab and is more likely to be covered by insurance.

3 Reasons to Have an In-Center Sleep Study

1. Detail. The thoroughness of the sensors that are used during an overnight test can detect a variety of sleep disorders, from sleep apnea to restless legs syndrome. 
2. Accuracy. The presence of a technician and the detailed sensors ensured that the test goes according to plan and you get the data you need. 
3. Comprehensiveness. In-center studies can detect all types of sleep disorders and can monitor all types of patients, including children.