Snoring is a problem that many people suffer with for several years — often without realizing how much of a toll it’s taking on both their sleeping and overall health, as well as the sleeping and overall health of their loved ones.
Snore Circle is a device made up of a control unit and earplugs that works in conjunction with a mobile app for Android 4.3 or later smartphones and iPhones (4S and later) to detect snoring. It’s able to precisely identify snoring sounds using bone conduction and sound recognition technologies, and then intervenes physically with micro sounds and micro vibrations at 54 levels to stop snoring and allow the user to sleep better.
Snore Circle ships in November at future pricing of $129 for a set that includes one Snore Circle control unit, two earplugs and one charging cable. But Indiegogo backers have been able to get a set for a pledge starting at $59 for early birds. Its makers hope to raise $25,000 by Sept. 29.
There have been many anti-snoring devices before this, including SnoreCoach. But Snore Circle’s technology could make it more effective than at least some rival products. When intervention from the device is successful, the soft tissue at the back of the user’s throat contracts and tightens to open the airway wider, so that he or she can breathe more smoothly and, therefore, stop snoring –- or at least snore less, its maker says.
But not clear from the Indiegogo campaign is how comfortable (or uncomfortable) those earplugs are. Some users may also find it an annoyance to have to recharge the batteries each day as recommended.