An irritant for partners snoring for some people may be an indicator of underlying health problems. One third of men under thirty are snorers and this figure doubles for males over sixty. It is estimated that ten per cent of women snore. Snoring often means a sleepless night for the other partner but it can also lead to marriage breakups. Every year, around one hundred patients check in to the sleep laboratory at Saint Vincent’s Hospital where their brain waves, eye movement, oxygen levels and heart rhythm are monitored. They book in for the night and their sleeping patterns are scrutinised.