Do You Have Sleep Apnoea or OSA? Find Out with the STOP-BANG Questionnaire
If you snore loudly, feel tired during the day, or someone has noticed you stop breathing during sleep, you might have a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). OSA affects breathing during sleep and can lead to serious health issues if left untreated. At our Melbourne ENT clinics, Dr Stephen Kleid and Dr Simon Braham use a simple assessment tool called the STOP-BANG questionnaire to help find out whether you may be at risk.
This quick screening tool is important for identifying patients who might benefit from a Medicare-funded sleep study in Australia and other solutions – surgical and non-surgical.
What Is the STOP-BANG Questionnaire?
STOP-BANG is a validated screening tool used globally to assess a person’s risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. It’s widely accepted by GPs, ENT specialists, sleep physicians, and Medicare providers. Each letter in STOP-BANG represents a different risk factor:
- S – Do you Snore loudly (louder than talking or heard through closed doors)?
- T – Do you often feel Tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime?
- O – Has anyone Observed you stop breathing during your sleep?
- P – Do you have or are you being treated for high blood Pressure?
The next four are additional risk indicators:
- B – Is your BMI (Body Mass Index) over 35 kg/m²?
- A – Are you Age 50 or older?
- N – Is your Neck circumference more than 40 cm (16 inches)?
- G – Are your Gender: Male?
You answer each question with “Yes” or “No” — and then tally the total score.
How to Score the STOP-BANG Questionnaire
Each “Yes” answer counts as one point. The total score ranges from 0 to 8.
- High Risk of OSA: 5 to 8 points
- Intermediate Risk: 3 to 4 points
- Low Risk: 0 to 2 points
If you score 3 or more, your doctor may recommend a formal sleep study. If you score 5 or more, you are considered at high risk for moderate to severe OSA, and a Medicare-funded sleep study may be available to you with the appropriate referral.
Why Is The STOP BANG Assessment Important?
Sleep apnoea is more than just snoring. It can affect your memory, mood, concentration, and long-term heart health. When your body stops breathing during sleep, your oxygen levels drop — putting strain on your heart and brain. This can lead to:
- Daytime fatigue and poor concentration
- High blood pressure and heart problems
- Increased risk of stroke
- Diabetes and weight gain
- Mood disorders and poor quality of life
Many patients don’t even know they have it — their bed partner or family members are often the first to notice.
How Melbourne ENT Surgeons Can Help
As ENT surgeons, Dr Kleid and Dr Braham are skilled in identifying structural causes of airway obstruction. These might include:
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- A deviated nasal septum
- Nasal polyps
- Tongue position or palate issues
Depending on your condition and sleep study results, we may recommend:
- Lifestyle changes (weight loss, avoiding alcohol, better sleep positioning)
- CPAP therapy (a machine that helps you breathe at night)
- Nasal or throat surgery to open the airway
- Referral to a sleep physician for further management
Is a Sleep Study Covered by Medicare?
Yes — if you meet the criteria, your ENT specialist or GP can refer you for a home-based or hospital sleep study that may be bulk billed through Medicare.
To qualify, patients typically need:
- A STOP-BANG score of 3 or more
- Clinical suspicion of moderate to severe sleep apnoea
- Relevant symptoms such as loud snoring, observed apnoeas, or significant daytime sleepiness
Download & Fill the STOP BANG Questionnaire
You can print out the STOP-BANG form and fill it in before your visit. Bring the completed questionnaire to your consultation.
STOP-BANG Sleep Apnoea Questionnaire – Melbourne ENT
Name: ………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………..… Age: ………
Height: …………………….. Weight: ……………………..
Tick “Yes” or “No” for each:
- Snore loudly (louder than talking or heard through closed doors)? – Yes / No
- Feel Tired or sleepy during the day? – Yes / No
- Has anyone Observed you stop breathing during sleep? – Yes / No
- High blood Pressure (diagnosed or on treatment)? – Yes / No
- BMI over 35 kg/m²? – Yes / No
- Age over 50 years? – Yes / No
- Neck circumference over 40 cm (16 inches)? – Yes / No
- Gender: Male? – Yes / No
TOTAL SCORE: ………………..…
- High risk of OSA: 5–8
- Intermediate risk: 3–4
- Low risk: 0–2
What To Do Next
If you’re concerned about your sleep or score high on the STOP-BANG test, talk to your GP or ask our team for an ENT surgeon consultation. We can guide you through the process, assess your airway, and refer you for testing if needed.
FAQS about the STOP BANG Assessment and Sleep Apnoea
What is the STOP-BANG questionnaire?
It’s a short screening tool used to assess your risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). Each letter stands for a different risk factor: Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnoeas, high blood Pressure, BMI, Age, Neck size, and Gender.
Why do I need to complete the STOP-BANG questionnaire?
This tool helps your doctor determine whether a sleep study is appropriate. It’s especially useful for deciding if you meet Medicare’s eligibility for a bulk-billed sleep study in Australia.
What score means I’m at high risk of sleep apnoea?
A score of 5 or more indicates a high risk of moderate to severe sleep apnoea. You may be referred for a diagnostic sleep study.
Can I do the STOP-BANG assessment at home?
Yes. It’s a self-reported questionnaire that takes less than two minutes. You can fill it out before your consultation and bring it with you.
What happens if I have a high STOP-BANG score?
Your ENT specialist or GP may recommend a sleep study — either in a sleep lab or at home — to confirm a diagnosis of OSA.
Does it hurt to have a camera down your nose?
When a nasendoscope is inserted into your nose, you will not feel any pain. However, you may feel a little pressure or some discomfort. Your eyes might start to water and you may feel like you wanna cough.
Does it hurt to have a camera down your nose?
When a nasendoscope is inserted into your nose, you will not feel any pain. However, you may feel a little pressure or some discomfort. Your eyes might start to water and you may feel like you wanna cough.
What is a sleep study?
A sleep study, or polysomnography, records your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages overnight. It helps diagnose sleep disorders such as OSA.
Can a sleep study be bulk billed through Medicare?
Yes, in many cases. If you meet certain criteria — including a STOP-BANG score of 3 or more — your sleep study may be Medicare-funded with a valid referral.
What symptoms suggest I might have sleep apnoea?
Common signs include loud snoring, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, waking with a dry mouth or headache, and being told you stop breathing during sleep.
Does it hurt to have a camera down your nose?
When a nasendoscope is inserted into your nose, you will not feel any pain. However, you may feel a little pressure or some discomfort. Your eyes might start to water and you may feel like you wanna cough.
What does BMI have to do with sleep apnoea?
A Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35 increases the risk of OSA because excess tissue around the neck can narrow the airway during sleep.
Does it hurt to have a camera down your nose?
When a nasendoscope is inserted into your nose, you will not feel any pain. However, you may feel a little pressure or some discomfort. Your eyes might start to water and you may feel like you wanna cough.
What does neck circumference tell us?
A neck size over 40 cm (16 inches) may indicate a narrower airway, which raises the risk of breathing interruptions during sleep.
Does everyone who snores have sleep apnoea?
No. While snoring is a common symptom, not all snorers have OSA. That’s why further screening with STOP-BANG and a sleep study may be needed.
I’m not overweight and I don’t snore — could I still have sleep apnoea?
Yes. While those are common risk factors, OSA can affect people of all body types and ages — especially if other symptoms are present.
How is sleep apnoea treated?
Treatment may include lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, dental appliances, or surgery to remove obstructions in the nose or throat. Your ENT specialist will tailor a plan to your needs.
Can surgery help with sleep apnoea?
In selected cases, yes. Surgery can improve airflow by addressing nasal blockages, enlarged tonsils, or palate issues. Your ENT surgeon will assess if this is suitable for you.
Further Reading from Melbourne ENT
- Snoring Treatments – Causes, Risks and Options (Blog)
- Snoring and Sleep Apnoea – concerns page
- Using the NOSE Scale Score to assess Nasal Obstruction (Blog)
Need Advice? Book an ENT Surgeon Consultation
Contact us to book an appointment with Dr Stephen Kleid or Dr Simon Braham. We’re here to help you breathe better, sleep better, and live better.
