For some adults with obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP is difficult to use night after night. ENT Specialists of Austin offers the Genio® implant as a mask-free option for certain patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea. Robert Nason, MD, a board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon, is identified by our practice as the region’s highest-volume hypoglossal nerve stimulator implant surgeon. His experience helps him assess whether this therapy matches a patient’s anatomy and sleep study findings.
How Genio Helps Keep the Airway Open
Obstructive sleep apnea can occur when the tongue relaxes backward and blocks airflow. Genio sends gentle stimulation to both hypoglossal nerves, which control tongue movement. This bilateral stimulation helps bring the tongue forward during sleep.
“Mask-free” does not mean device-free. The implanted component sits beneath the chin and contains no battery. Before bed, you place a small external activation unit under the chin to power and control the stimulation, then remove it in the morning.
Who May Be a Candidate?
Genio may be considered for adults who have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, cannot use CPAP consistently, and meet the device’s medical and anatomical criteria. These general guidelines do not guarantee eligibility.
A sleep study confirms the severity of apnea, while an airway assessment shows where collapse occurs. Our sleep apnea and snoring specialists may also find nasal, palate, tonsil, or other concerns that call for a different approach.
Loud snoring does not always mean sleep apnea. Understanding the difference between snoring and sleep apnea can help you recognize when testing may be appropriate.
What Happens During Treatment?
Placement is an outpatient procedure performed through one small incision beneath the chin. Surgery generally takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Recovery varies, though many patients may return to routine activities within several days after receiving clearance from their surgeon.
The system is not turned on right away. Activation typically occurs around two months later, once the area has healed. Follow-up visits allow the settings to be adjusted for comfort and nighttime breathing.
Genio, Inspire, and CPAP Compared
CPAP is nonsurgical and well established, but it only helps when the mask is worn consistently. Genio uses bilateral tongue stimulation, one incision, and an external nighttime unit without an implanted battery.
Inspire® therapy also stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, but it uses a fully implanted system with a chest battery and handheld remote. It provides single-sided stimulation and requires neck and chest incisions.
Your physician will weigh your sleep study, airway anatomy, medical history, and experience with CPAP before recommending an implant. Your preference for an external or fully implanted controller also plays a role. In some cases, another procedure, such as transoral robotic surgery for sleep apnea, may better match the source of the blockage.
Explore Mask-Free Sleep Apnea Care in Austin
When CPAP is not manageable, a thorough evaluation can clarify whether Genio or another therapy makes sense for you. Contact us to speak with ENT Specialists of Austin about sleep apnea care in Austin or Cedar Park, TX, or call 512-346-7600.