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Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulator, implanted by a consultant ENT surgeon for CPAP-intolerant OSA.

A pacemaker-like implant for obstructive sleep apnoea in adults who cannot tolerate CPAP. A small device beneath the collarbone gently stimulates the hypoglossal nerve during sleep, keeping the airway open.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulator and its alternatives cost.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

All-in Inspire implant in our UK network: £25,000–£35,000, home .

Procedure Indicative range
Inspire implant (all-in surgery package) £25,000–£35,000
Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) £2,500–£4,500
ENT sleep consultation £300–£500
Device activation and titration £450–£1,200
Follow-up home sleep study on Inspire £800–£1,500
Annual device review £600–£1,500

Prices vary by clinic, by which consultant does the case, and by whether preoperative investigations are included or billed separately.

The problem

The right patient, the right anatomy, the right team.

Inspire is a genuinely transformative treatment for the right patient. It is not a first-line option and it is not for everyone - the eligibility workup is the most important part of the pathway.

  • CPAP tried first

    Genuine CPAP intolerance must be documented - Inspire is not a shortcut past CPAP.

  • DISE is essential

    Drug-induced sleep endoscopy is the gatekeeper - no complete concentric palatal collapse means proceed.

  • Inspire-certified surgeon

    A consultant ENT trained and certified by Inspire Medical Systems performs the implant and titration.

When it helps

When inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulator is the right step.

The situations that fit inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulator - and the red flag that means an urgent assessment first, not a booking.

  • CPAP intolerance

    You have genuinely tried CPAP and cannot tolerate it - the core Inspire indication.

  • Moderate to severe OSA

    AHI 15–65 on a recent sleep study.

  • BMI under about 35

    Inspire is approved in adults with a BMI under about 35. Above that, weight optimisation is discussed first.

  • Anatomy confirmed on DISE

    Drug-induced sleep endoscopy shows the right kind of airway collapse - not complete concentric palatal collapse.

  • Age 18 or over

    Approved for adults; paediatric indications are limited to specific syndromes.

  • Predominantly nocturnal symptoms

    Sleepiness driven by OSA rather than by insomnia or shift-work - Inspire treats OSA specifically.

  • Willing to attend follow-up

    Titration and annual review is important - Inspire works best in patients who engage with the follow-up.

  • Red flag: complete concentric palatal collapse

    This DISE finding is a contraindication - Inspire is unlikely to work. Other treatments are discussed instead.

Treatment options

Inspire is one of several OSA options.

What each option involves - and where Inspire genuinely fits, especially against CPAP and oral devices.

  • Inspire hypoglossal stimulation

    The device this page is about - a small implant that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve during sleep.

  • CPAP

    The first-line treatment for moderate to severe OSA - the gold standard when tolerated.

  • Mandibular advancement device

    A bespoke oral device - good for mild to moderate OSA, sometimes combined with CPAP.

  • Positional therapy

    For supine-dependent apnoea - a pillow or vest that keeps you off your back.

  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

    Older palatal surgery - largely superseded by Inspire and MADs but occasionally offered.

  • Maxillomandibular advancement

    Orthognathic jaw surgery - highly effective in select cases but a much bigger operation.

  • Weight optimisation

    Even 5–10% weight loss can significantly reduce OSA severity - always discussed alongside surgery.

Safety and recovery

What to expect, honestly.

Inspire is a well-audited implantable treatment with an excellent safety record in appropriately selected patients. The important things to plan are the eligibility workup, the one-month activation delay and the ongoing titration.

  • General anaesthetic

    A modern GA lasting about 2 hours. Anaesthetic risks are those of any elective outpatient surgery.

  • Three small incisions

    Under the collarbone, at the ribs and under the chin. Scars are small and fade over 6–12 months.

  • One-month activation delay

    The device is not switched on until 30 days after surgery to let tissues heal.

  • Titration takes months

    Amplitude is adjusted over three to six months to find the balance between airway opening and sleep quality.

  • Tongue soreness or awareness

    Some patients feel mild tongue movement or soreness as they adapt. Almost always settles.

  • Battery lasts 11 years

    The pulse generator battery is designed to last about 11 years, then needs a small replacement procedure.

  • MRI compatibility

    Modern Inspire generators are MRI-conditional for head, extremity and, in newer models, whole-body scans.

  • Weight matters

    Significant weight gain after implantation can reduce efficacy. Weight-neutral or weight-loss support is part of the plan.

  • Red flags

    Fever, spreading redness at any incision, swelling around the neck, difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath - call the surgeon the same day.

Reading your procedure note

Your operation and activation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever consultant does the procedure, the note you receive keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant reviewing a patient's procedure note

A quiet reminder

Clinical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    DISE result and eligibility

    The drug-induced sleep endoscopy findings and confirmation of the eligibility criteria met.

  2. 02 Technique

    Implant technique

    Incision positions, generator model, lead placement on the hypoglossal nerve branch and sensor placement.

  3. 03 Findings

    Intraoperative testing

    Nerve responses tested in theatre, and any small anatomical notes that affect titration.

  4. 04 Impression

    Activation and titration plan

    Read this first: activation date, titration schedule and when the confirmatory sleep study will happen.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Coverage is expanding but variable - some UK insurers now fund Inspire where NICE criteria are met and CPAP intolerance is documented.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulator.

Quick answers on eligibility, cost, control, effectiveness and UK insurance.

  • What is the Inspire device?

    A small implant, similar in size to a pacemaker, that gently stimulates the hypoglossal nerve during sleep. This tightens the tongue and opens the upper airway, treating obstructive sleep apnoea in patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.

  • Who is Inspire suitable for?

    Adults 18 or over with moderate to severe OSA (AHI 15–65), a BMI under about 35, who have tried and cannot tolerate CPAP, and who have suitable airway anatomy on drug-induced sleep endoscopy (specifically, no complete concentric palatal collapse).

  • How much does Inspire cost in the UK privately?

    All-in private packages for Inspire in the UK run between £25,000 and £35,000. This includes the device, surgery, activation and initial titration. DISE and preoperative work-up may be billed separately.

  • How is the device controlled?

    A small handheld remote. You turn it on at bedtime, it delays activation for 20 minutes so you can fall asleep, and it turns off automatically after your chosen sleep duration or when you press the remote in the morning.

  • Does Inspire cure sleep apnoea?

    Inspire is not a cure - it is an effective treatment. Most patients see AHI reduced by 60% to 80% and daytime symptoms significantly improve, but the device works only when it is switched on.

  • Is Inspire covered by UK insurance?

    Coverage is expanding but still variable. Some major UK insurers now fund Inspire where NICE criteria are met and CPAP intolerance is documented.

Related

Looking for something else?

In practice, in the UK

Where Inspire sits in a private UK sleep pathway

Moderate to severe OSA with documented CPAP intolerance - Inspire may transform your sleep, but only if the anatomy is right.

A private Inspire pathway means an Inspire-certified consultant ENT, a proper DISE, an implant at a CQC-registered hospital, and titration over three to six months.

Everything runs to CQC, GMC and Royal College standards; the choice is about consultant experience with the device and whether your anatomy makes you a genuine candidate.