Phillips Respironics Pillow Mask Noise

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I have used an F&P full face mask for years without problems. As I have a second CPAP machine, I wanted to set it up to use in a different room. I had some Phillips Dreamwear pillow masks on hand, but when I use one, there is considerable noise on exhale. Is this normal?

[robysue1]

I had some Phillips Dreamwear pillow masks on hand, but when I use one, there is considerable noise on exhale. Is this normal?

In theory pillows masks shouldn't be any noisier than other masks. But it all depends on how the exhaust venting is designed.

Given the design of the Phillips Dreamwear pillow mask, I can think of a couple of things that might make it sound loud on exhale:

1) The exhaust flow from the mask appears to be through one rather small slit at the front of the mask. If that concentrates the exhaust flow and it hits something like the bedcovers or your chest or your pillow, then that can make some real noise that you pick up either on inhalation or exhalation. (or both).

2) The hose hook up is at the top of the mask, so the air is flowing through the frame right over the sides of your head. That means that the sound of the airflow into the mask can be conducted directly into your middle and inner ears through your skull. And since the airflow into the mask differs depending on whether you are inhaling or exhaling, the conducted sound of the difference in airflow goes directly into your ears, and conducted sounds often sound much, much louder than they actually are.

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Ok, thanks. That makes sense. I will try some earplugs and if that doesn't work, I'll just buy new F&P stuff.

[robysue1]

Ok, thanks. That makes sense. I will try some earplugs and if that doesn't work, I'll just buy new F&P stuff.

If the problem is conducted noise, earplugs are going to make it worse, not better.

Earplugs block noise from outside your head from entering it. Conducted noise does not enter your ear from the outside. It is conducted directly into your ears by the sound waves going through your skull.

What can help with conducted noise is adding an external source of a more pleasant noise to listen to.

[Atom]

I tried the earplugs, and it was worse, so you nailed it. I've ordered new stuff.