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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001245071-08-000013.txt : 20080410
<SEC-HEADER>0001245071-08-000013.hdr.sgml : 20080410
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080410170029
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001245071-08-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080410
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080410
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080410

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SOMANETICS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000704328
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS [3845]
		IRS NUMBER:				382394784
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1653 EAST MAPLE ROAD
		CITY:			TROY
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48083
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2486893050

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1653 EAST MAPLE ROAD
		CITY:			TROY
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48083

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HENRY ROBERT R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000922263

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19095
		FILM NUMBER:		08750518

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8477413300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O THE MIDDLEBY CORP
		STREET 2:		1400 TOASTMASTER DR
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-04-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000704328</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SOMANETICS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SMTS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000922263</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HENRY ROBERT R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SOMANETICS CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1653 EAST MAPLE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TROY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48083</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Director stock option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>16.82</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-04-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-04-10</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests in five equal annual installments beginning on April 10, 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert R. Henry</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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