Frequently Asked Questions

No, you do not have to go to bed as soon as you arrive. The technologist needs to prepare you for the study. It takes time to apply the sensors. Some sensors are applied to your head with a type of water-soluble paste and this needs time to dry and set before you go to bed.

No. Your overnight sleep study and your consultation with our doctors is covered by OHIP.

Yes. Parking is available underneath and around the building free of charge.

Your overnight study will finish between 5:30am and 6:30am leaving you enough time to prepare to go to work the next day. Due to the products applied to your head/hair, you will need to shower at home before you go to work. Please note that some studies require you to be in the laboratory the following day so in this situation, you would not be able to go to work the next day.

Sensors are applied to your head using a water-soluble paste. Small pieces of medical tape are used to apply additional sensors around your eyes, behind your ears, on your shoulder, on your left side on your ribs and on your legs. Chin sensors are applied with tape or paste depending on the presence of a beard. Each site is first wiped with rubbing alcohol and then a mildly abrasive prep-gel is used to remove any dead or dry skin to ensure a clear signal. Once this is completed, the paste must be allowed to dry so that the electrodes do not move while you are sleeping. Additional sensors are applied to monitor respiration, blood oxygen levels, pulse and body position immediately before going to bed.

Yes. If at anytime you need to use the washroom during the night, you simply call the technologist's name and he/she will come and unplug some sensors so that you are able to get out of the bed. Once you return from the washroom, the sensors are easily plugged back in and you can go back to sleep.

Unless you have a full beard, your chin should be clean shaven in order for the tape to adhere to the skin.

No. For hygienic reasons, we ask that you do not bring your own pillow or blanket. Outside bedding is not permitted in the laboratory.

You may also wear shorts and a t-shirt or track pants but you must wear two pieces; a top and a bottom. Two-piece pyjamas help to keep the sensor wires in place and tangle free.

Most people are able to sleep for a few hours. It isn't always necessary to have 8 hours of sleep in order to make a diagnosis. Our technologists are sensitive to the fact that you are in a strange environment and wearing multiple sensors. Every effort will be made to ensure you are comfortable.

A sleep study involves hundreds of pages of data, each being 30-seconds in length. The analysis and interpretation of your study is very labour intensive and takes time. Results will be sent to your doctor within 4 weeks of your study.