Is There A Reason You Can't Hear Yourself Snore?

But why is it that you can't hear yourself snore? The simple answer has to do with your state of consciousness and the function of the auditory processing system. When you're in a deep sleep, you're not conscious of your surroundings. Your brain is turned off to external stimuli, including noise, to a large extent. 

The brain stem has an area called the sub-coerulea region that is activated while we sleep. It reduces our sensory sensitivities so we don’t act out our dreams. This and other areas of the brain are responsible for stopping or suppressing sensory information.

Our brain is quite specific in the sense that it only filters out our own snoring, but not the snoring of our partner. So while we are wired to disrupt our own sleep, unfortunately our partners may still suffer. While this may sound strange, this actually works similarly to tickling: We cannot tickle ourselves but others can because we are expecting it if we try to tickle ourselves but if someone else does, we feel the tickling sensation.

There's a certain irony in the fact that the sound which can keep others awake all night doesn't disturb the perpetrator's sleep.

We all know the feeling: we have been pondering about an issue that keeps itching us and were unable to fall asleep. Our partner however had a relaxed day at the office and fell asleep right away. Now his or her snoring makes it EVEN harder for us to get our well-deserved good night sleep.

While this is an example many of us are all too familiar with, there are other scenarios that can contribute to us being affected by our partner’s loud snoozing:

When we drift into deep sleep (specifically REM and non-REM stages), our brains enter a state designed to protect and preserve sleep. In this state, repetitive, familiar, and non-threatening noises—such as your own snoring, traffic, or a ticking clock—are filtered out or significantly muted by your auditory cortex.
The filtering process however works less well when we are not in REM and non-REM stages. This makes it more likely that your sleep gets disturbed by our partner’s snoring and as a result you may even wake up from the noise.

You may actually recall times when you did hear yourself snore, or maybe even woke from your own snoring. While this is not common, this can in fact occur. In some cases you might briefly hear your own snoring and even awake momentarily. This typically is more likely to happen once you are transitioning between sleep stages, or if there are other contributing factors that cause you to wake up (such as the need to use the bathroom at night). However, for most people and in most situations, this auditory gating process ensures that you remain unaware of your snoring throughout the night.

As outlined in this article, there are scientific reasons that mostly prevent you from suffering from the noise of your own snoring. However, just because you can’t hear yourself snore doesn’t mean that you do not snore ( Sleep apnea exercises )! Given the effect of sleep quality on overall health, understanding why you can't hear yourself snoring could be more than a matter of mere curiosity. Heavy snoring could be a sign of health conditions like sleep apnea. If you're a heavy snorer or share a bed with a heavy snorer, it may be worth seeking medical advice ( Why do people snore ?). 

FAQ: Why Can’t I Hear Myself Snore

Can you hear yourself snore when you're asleep?

Typically, no—most people cannot hear themselves snore because the brain naturally filters out repetitive sounds during sleep. However, you may briefly hear your snoring if you're in a lighter sleep stage or just drifting off to sleep.

Why can't I usually hear myself snore?

When you're deeply asleep, your brain reduces awareness of external and internal repetitive noises—including your own snoring—to protect sleep quality. This is why snorers are often unaware of their own sounds unless informed by a bed partner or audio recording.

If I hear myself snoring, does it mean I have sleep apnea?

Not necessarily, but hearing yourself snore occasionally—especially loud or interrupted by choking or gasping—can indicate sleep apnea. Frequent loud snoring accompanied by daytime fatigue or breathing pauses is a strong sign you should seek medical evaluation.

How can I know for sure if I snore?

The most reliable methods to verify snoring include feedback from a sleeping partner, using an audio recording app or device overnight, or participating in a sleep study (polysomnography).

Is it normal to occasionally wake up hearing myself snore?

Yes, occasionally waking yourself up by hearing your own snoring can happen—particularly if you're experiencing a lighter sleep stage or interrupted breathing. If this happens frequently, consider consulting a sleep specialist, as it may indicate obstructive sleep apnea.

Can hearing myself snore be a health warning?

Potentially, yes. Regularly waking up to your own snoring or experiencing breathing interruptions could signal underlying health conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea, which requires medical attention to prevent complications like hypertension, heart disease, and fatigue.

How can I stop snoring if it's disrupting my sleep?

Lifestyle changes like sleeping on your side, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol intake, and treating nasal congestion can help. Additionally, using anti-snoring devices (like mouthpieces or nasal strips) or consulting a sleep specialist can significantly reduce or eliminate snoring.