High pitched whistling noise driving me crazy.

[y08hci0299]

I have this high pitched whistling when I turn on my cpap that is ruining my sleep. The volume and pitch changes when I breathe in vs when I breathe out and it goes away the moment I turn the machine off so I definitely know that it's due to cpap. It's either from the machine itself or the hose. It is very faint, but still audible enough to keep me awake, almost like a loud dog whistle. I have tested both my mask and my hose for leaks(I filled them up with water and saw if any water streamed out through any possible holes) and can confirm that both of them are leak free. The whistling comes and goes it isn't a constant, but it has been popping up here and there. I have only had my machine(philips dreamstation bipap auto) since march this year and have had about 2.5 months usage on it. Is that just the sound of air moving through the hose? I also recently threw away my disposable filter and have not gotten it replaced yet so I only have the reusable pollen filter put in. pease help, I am at my wit's end.

[Julie]

Taken the machine to your dealer yet?

[y08hci0299]

I had it shipped from USA (I'm living in south east asia where they mark the cost up by multiple times) and my experience with local dealers has been extremely poor, either they are rude and dismissive and can't be bothered, or barely even know how to operate the machine. I have this sinking feeling the noise is normal and is just part of the operating noise of the machine, just that my hearing is so sensitive that it picks up on it.

[Pugsy]

Put the machine as far away from you and down from the mattress as possible.
Get an old mouse pad or an old towel and set the machine on it...this sometimes helps absorb annoying machine noise by absorbing some of the noise.

Do you use any sort of hose management system where the hose is routed up overhead so it doesn't lay on the mattress any?
If not, you might try doing that and see if it helps reduce the noise.

I don't know if what you are hearing is normal machine noise or not. I do know that some people are more sensitive to certain noise/tones/sounds and it would not be impossible that this is going on with you.
If that is the case then moving it farther away and putting it on something to absorb vibrations and noises might help...won't hurt to try.
If further away does help and you want it further there are extensions to the long hose to get you some extra length and even 10 foot regular hoses. No 10 foot heated hoses though...if you need or want a heated hose then the best option is to add a little short unheated hose at the mask end of the hose.

[Cardsfan]

You could run a fan for white noise.

[LSAT]

Change the hose. Often the hose will leak and whistle where the collar connects to the mask or machine.

[palerider]

I had a respironics elbow on the back of my machine to give the hose a better angle... found out that it caused harmonics in the tube that sounded like a varying pitch whistle, tossed it, and things got much quieter.

[Gerald?]

I sometimes get this when there is some moisture in the exhaust vents on my mask. The little holes get a little bit of moisture in and whistle.
Typically if I just wipe the exhaust vent with my hand it goes away.

[OboeVet]

I have had a whistling or high frequency buzzing sound at the air flap where the hose connects to the hard plastic mask connector. Only happens when the bedroom is cool and moisture forms on the mask side of the flap. I disconnect the hose from the mask and forcefully blow through the flap assembly. It also helps if I turn up the hose heat so the warmer moist air gets past the flap before condensing.

Also, check that noise is not coming from a mask-to-face leaks.

Please let us know what ends up working.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[sewsleepy]

Are you sure it's the machine and not the hose or mask? I have had a couple of masks that had a tendency to whistle (especially if moisture gets in them) and I had to send them back. It's super annoying!

[Pugsy]

Check any seals inside the humidifier where the water chamber attaches to the humidifier. See if any are loose or dry and might need replacing.

[OboeVet]

I forgot to mention, I wear foam earplugs, too. Does not help with the exhalation flap squeal, since it is so close to my face.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[Sleep2Dream]

I just started having the same issue after using my Dreamstation for over a year without a problem. I replaced the hose and mask apparatus, as well as the disposable filter, but that doesn't seem to have made a difference. Reading people's replies, I'm wondering if this might be related to a recent weather change: Definitely cooler at night, and it's been humid out. If there's more condensation than usual in the hose and mask, it's not enough to show up as dripping or gurgling water, nor do I sense extra water in the nasal cushion. But I will re-check all the seals and raise the heat on the hose and see what happens.

[psyched123]

My almost new Dreamstation started the high-pitched noise. Very annoying, however, I was able to solve it. The motor seems to have a problem pulling air through the little fine filter and that's what causes it to whine.

Solution: Remove the fine filter, just using the sponge filter and, if you want pollen protection like I do, put a Nispira in-line pollen filter on the exit side. The in-line filter not only removes the pollen, but helps dampen the noise coming down the hose to your mask. Makes a big difference in the whine!

[D.H.]

There is a feature on most never CPAPs that slightly reduces the pressure when exhaling. Perhaps this feature is activated on your machine. If this is the case, it can be adjusted or disabled completely.

The feature is called "A-Flex" or "C-Flex" on Repsironics machine and EPR on ResMed machines. If you have another brand, it may have a different name.