Snoring volume compared to traffic noise

Snoring can reach up to 100 decibels, which is as loud as a truck passing by a bedroom window. This level of noise is comparable to a chainsaw or a loud conversation.

Anatomy behind snoring

The sound occurs when the muscles in the throat relax during sleep, causing the back of the throat, the soft palate, the uvula, and the tongue to take up more space and obstruct the airways.

How snoring happens during breathing

During inhalation, air circulates more difficultly and vibrates the pharynx, causing a snoring noise. This vibration is the primary source of the sound.

Factors that increase snoring

This phenomenon can be favored by sleeping on the back, weight gain, a blocked nose, alcohol or tobacco consumption. These factors can contribute to the relaxation of throat muscles or narrowing of the airway.