CPAP Machine Noise

[Bill L.]

I have a Philips Respironics Sleep Mapper System (REMstar Pro C-Flex+ and System One Heated Humidifier), which I have had for 6 months. My wife is annoyed with the wheezing of the inhalation and exhalation noises emitted from the system. We have placed a towel under the machine with no change in noise level. I called the DME and she said machines in her opinion have become more noisy than earlier machines. Does anyone have experience with muffling the inhalation and exhalation noises of the machine? Any assistance would be appreciated.
Bill L.

[Julie]

Side table with drawer that has a hole for the hose, and an old mouse pad under the machine?

There was a thread (do a forum search) on such tables and other similar fixes.

[bwexler]

I had the same problem with my PRS1 960 ASV. After complaining for a year, starting on day one, Crapria replaced it with a quieter new machine.
You have to be noisier than the machine. While you are at it you might convince your doctor to write the script for a 560 data capable machine to"improve your therapy".
Make it clear you and your wife can't sleep with the noise.

[Pesser]

Side table with drawer that has a hole for the hose, and an old mouse pad under the machine?

There was a thread (do a forum search) on such tables and other similar fixes.

Does the mouse pad work? Do you recommend it being wet or dry? This seems like a good idea!!!!!!

[Guest]

I called the DME and she said machines in her opinion have become more noisy than earlier machines.

While the opposite is true - newer machines are much quieter than the older machines; I would try turning off the C-flex (which tends to speed up and slow down the motor) to see if that helps any.

You don't have to tell your dummy Dme if that does help but she is lying to you about the newer machines.

[Demerit]

please excuse the above poster and his reference about the DME....let this DME set him the poster straight.......when the machines went smaller the insulation was taken out without the motors being changed.....so yes they became louder.....now they've figured out the motor noise issue and they are quieter.

[Amenite]

...I would try turning off the C-flex (which tends to speed up and slow down the motor) to see if that helps any.

I don't think I would like this very much without the C-flex. It does seem a bit noisier I suppose but I really like the feature. I don't think I'd be doing as well without it.

[Guest]

ow they've figured out the motor noise issue and they are quieter.

Didn't I say that?
Your work here is done

[Julie]

Mouse pad can help... but then so can white noise.

[Bill L.]

Thanks to all who responded. We will try the mouse pad and checking with the DME. My wife now says that the problem is the mask. We will conference about the mask today. I have a mask liner (from Pad A Cheek) that I like, so we will have to see how we can adjust it to everyone's satisfaction. Bill

[chunkyfrog]

Note, it is not uncommon for a DME to say anything in order to palm off a low end machine,
Including LIE!

[Wulfman...]

I have a Philips Respironics Sleep Mapper System (REMstar Pro C-Flex+ and System One Heated Humidifier), which I have had for 6 months. My wife is annoyed with the wheezing of the inhalation and exhalation noises emitted from the system. We have placed a towel under the machine with no change in noise level. I called the DME and she said machines in her opinion have become more noisy than earlier machines. Does anyone have experience with muffling the inhalation and exhalation noises of the machine? Any assistance would be appreciated.
Bill L.

Thanks to all who responded. We will try the mouse pad and checking with the DME. My wife now says that the problem is the mask. We will conference about the mask today. I have a mask liner (from Pad A Cheek) that I like, so we will have to see how we can adjust it to everyone's satisfaction. Bill

Virtually ANY machine from every generation CAN be noisy. Most are very quiet. However, there are ways of narrowing down where the noise ( or leak if that's what's causing it ) is coming from.
These subjects have come up numerous times over the years and discussed in lots of threads.
The "old mouse pad" trick is something I've used since starting therapy in 2005. Also keeps the machine from getting pulled off the night stand (and getting water leaked inside and damaged).
Check all the connections and start up the machine (all masked up) during the awake hours so you can attempt to find the noise. Don't just wait till you go to bed.


Den

.

[katiecat228]

I am a sleep lab clinical coordinator with a similar problem. We have OmniLab Advanced lab titration systems that are based on the System One frame and they are very noisy also. Sometimes it sounds like we've got Darth Vader in there having a sleep study! Our techs and patients are complaining. I've had several patients complain to me about their own home PAP System One devices also, same problem, and it is definitely a mechanical ventilator type sound, quite loud on the inspiratory breath. Various masks do seem to make the noise problem better or worse, but it never completely disappears. I am in the process now of reviewing our lab rental contract to see if we can get out of it. I would have to say in my experience, ResMed makes much quieter devices both for sleep lab and home use. Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions, very helpful, and best of luck with this distracting issue. If there is a Philips rep monitoring this forum, have y'all got any guidance on this issue?

[archangle]

With ResMed and Respironics PRS1, it seems that every so often, a particular machine is extra noisy for some mysterious reason. Some people find the humidifier or the filters make a difference, especially the white filters for the PRS1.

Putting the machine in a drawer or a box should help keep the machine noise down somewhat. You'll need a hole for the hose to come out of the box or drawer. Make the hole a few times the diameter of the hose so that there is a way for air to come in as well as go out of. Or have a separate air inlet hole that's bigger than the hole for the hose. As long as the machine is blowing air out through the hose, you shouldn't have an overheating problem because the machine is going to be pumping at least 20 liters per minute of air down the hose.

In a sleep lab, you could have a box that's open on one side away from the patient for easy access for the techs. Try it with a cardboard box, maybe cover the box with a blanket or a piece of carpet as an experiment. (Not when attached to a patient, obviously, draft one of your employees for a sound test.)

Even a simple barrier or locating the blower unit near the floor where the bed will muffle the sound might help.

There's someone who sells a CPAP silencer box.

[Krelvin]

In a sleep lab, you could have a box that's open on one side away from the patient for easy access for the techs. Try it with a cardboard box, maybe cover the box with a blanket or a piece of carpet as an experiment. (Not when attached to a patient, obviously, draft one of your employees for a sound test.)

No, In a sleep lab you should have equipment that works properly and within the specs of the machine. What an impression you will make to patients coming up with some makeshift box to keep the noise down when a properly working machine shouldn't be making that noise in the first place.

PRS1 Sound Level : Less than 30 dBA
S9 Sound level 26 dBA
10 Sound Level: 26.6 dBA
M-Series: 31 dB

My M-Series made a noise as it switched from epap to ipap, but wasn't very loud and it was 6yrs old when I replaced it. My S9, I don't hear a thing.