The highest recorded volume of snoring in the subjects was strongly and independently correlated with daytime sleepiness--commonly considered as a symptom of sleep apnea--as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) in apneic patients, but not in other patients. Interpreting these results is difficult, but researchers concluded that snoring intensity may explain daytime sleepiness that cannot be fully explained by variables measured by polysomnography.
The mechanism is very difficult to imagine, but since the ESS is a subjective measure, perhaps there is a deeper, more cognitive effect of snoring on the quality of sleep. We know that snoring disturbs cosleepers, but perhaps it also disturbs the sleeper himself in a way we cannot appreciate.
Although the study only correlated the effect of snoring for apneics, it is possible that all snorers suffer diminished quality of sleep. To learn more about the benefits of snoring treatment, schedule a snoring consultation at the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center in Gurnee, Illinois.