From repositioning your partner to moving out of the bedroom, couples are still figuring out how to deal with snoring.

People might argue it’s a sign of good night’s sleep, but for a snorer’s partner, it can lead to a life of sleepless despair.

Roughly one-in-four people snore regularly, while nearly half snore occasionally – but that doesn’t mean it’s not incredibly annoying.

Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden – who is “not a snorer unless there’s alcohol involved” – spoke to some couples around Dublin about how they deal with snoring.

“I snore like an absolute pig,” one woman told The Pat Kenny Show. 

Another woman said she doesn’t snore – and “as an Aries”, she wouldn’t be compatible with anyone who does.

One man said he stops his partner snoring by turning her to a specific position in bed.

“But then she rolls around again and will growl,” he said. 

Man annoyed by the snoring of his partner. Image: Kzenon / Alamy Stock Photo

One woman said she doesn’t mind her husband’s snores – because they stopped sharing a bed a decade ago. 

“I left the marital bed 10 years ago,” she said. 

“It was just not feasible – it was to save the marriage. 

“Snoring is infuriating and debilitating, nerve-wracking – why would you want that?” 

Separation by snoring

Michael Flynn – better known in Dublin as Mattress Mick – told Sarah that many Irish couples are now setting up ‘snoring rooms’.

“It's very difficult to sleep or get a good night’s sleep with a person who’s snoring,” he said.

“People are coming into our store looking for a mattress for a spare room. 

“You sense a certain amount of tension or strain and you can see, when the decision is made, you can see the relief that the couple don't have to share the room.”

Mick said more and more couples are not ashamed to admit they want to sleep in separate rooms to save the non-snorer. 

“It's happening now more frequently - particular with middle-aged couples,” he said. 

“They are not ashamed to say they have to buy a new bed - topics are being discussed that were never discussed before.” 

Man snoring loudly on plane (Andriy Popov / Alamy Stock Photo)

Director at the Beacon Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic Edel Hurley said snoring is not always a sign of a good sleep. 

“It’s generally associated with an overcrowded oropharynx, which is the space behind the tongue and descends down towards the airways,” she said. 

A congested oropharynx, an oversized tongue or weight gain will increase your chances of snoring.