CPAP Machine Getting Louder? Wife Sleeping In Other Room!

My wife is claiming (and I think I believe her) that my CPAP is louder than when I first brought it home in April. This week she has started sleeping in another room and I don't like it. I have an appointment with my DME so they can check my machine to see if it is louder.

I am a bit nervous that they may claim it is functioning normal. Or even worse, that it truly is functioning normal.

I can't recall for certian how quiet the unit was when I first brought it compared to now. I do recall how uiet it seemed to be and I'm just not certain if we have gotten used to it and so it now seems louder or is it in fact, louder?

Seems totally plausible that the machine could have gotten louder. After all, it is a machine and machines do break down. If your DME says the machine is fine and functioning normally, you've got nothing to lose at that point by asking (repeatedly) for a replacement. The worst they can say is no... I do not work in a comparable field, but if I have a customer, who's phone I've tested extensively and have found no issue with it, that is still very insistent on a replacement. It's just easier to placate the customer (not to say that your claim isn't totally valid!) than it is to continue fighting it.

JCWarrior wrote: I'm just not certain if we have gotten used to it and so it now seems louder or is it in fact, louder?

Have a doctor check your and your wife's hearing. It may be improving.

Some suggestions.....If there is a drawer next to your bed, put the cpap inside. If the hose is not long enough, get a longer hose. Also...put some foam under the machine to eliminate any vibration sounds. I read somewhere about someone that built a box/cover for the machine (leave the filter intake clear).

Are you sure it is the machine that is louder. It might be that your mask is leaking more now. Over time the seals break down and don't seal as well as they do when new. Those leaks can be much louder than todays machines.

If you can have her listen closely while the noise is happening, it will help you pinpoint where the issue is happening. Have her position herself between the machine and you while you are sleeping. She should be able to tell if the noise is coming from the end closest to you or from the machine itself.

I have used a pillow in the past to create a sound block of sorts between the bed and machine. This helped for my older louder machine.

If you have a new replacement mask cushion, try swapping it out.

If it is the machine, be persistent and they should eventually change it out.

Thanks,
John

Do make sure the noise is from the machine itself and not something else related to the mask.

If it is the machine that is for sure noisier now than it was when you first got it...that's unacceptable and there may be something going on with a fan or bearing or something. Have it checked out.

Have her tested for OSA. Then you can return the 'favor'. Lol

I just spoke with the wife and she described it as if there is a constant air sound whereas before it was just my breathing.

I am pretty sure the primary source for the "air" sound we hear is coming from the machine. I have new nose pillows for my mask. The mask is only 6 months old but I do have a new one on the way on the 23rd.

This morning after I got ready for work I checked the system out some more before leaving and it sounds like the majority (if not all) of the sound comes from the area of the air intake.

I have an appointment with my DME on the 28th to have it checked out.


regarding putting the machine in a drawer or box...... I would think that would act as a speaker cabinet and amplify the sound. Curious to hear from others that have tried this.

Spend some time awake with the machine running and have your wife help you research the source of the noise

Its possible that your hose has developed a leak...

Have you checked your hose for a small leaks like near the connector to the mask or machine?

CPAP Nightstands
viewtopic/p948272/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9 ... et#p911958

JCWarrior wrote:I just spoke with the wife and she described it as if there is a constant air sound whereas before it was just my breathing.

I am pretty sure the primary source for the "air" sound we hear is coming from the machine. I have new nose pillows for my mask. The mask is only 6 months old but I do have a new one on the way on the 23rd.

This morning after I got ready for work I checked the system out some more before leaving and it sounds like the majority (if not all) of the sound comes from the area of the air intake.

I have an appointment with my DME on the 28th to have it checked out.


regarding putting the machine in a drawer or box...... I would think that would act as a speaker cabinet and amplify the sound. Curious to hear from others that have tried this.

disconnect the humidifier from the cpap, hook the hose directly to the cpap, see if you hear the noise.

if so, remove the hose, put your thumb over the outlet, and turn it on, it should be near silent.

inspect the hose for holes while the machine is running.

listen to see if the lid isn't closed good, or the seal is missing inside the humidifier.

etc.

there's really not much in those machines to "go bad" and make air sounds.

Could the noise be coming from your mouth opening ... my wife uses a nasal mask and sleeps with her mouth open most of the night .... it give a large rushing air noise ... if so you might benefit for a cheep anti-snore mouth guard .... it keeps my mouth closed and improved my AHI by quite a bit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171374440226?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/cpap-n ... w-nut.html

My machine got louder and it ended up being the filter had come out. Installed a new one and it's all quiet again.

Lots of great info, ideas and suggestions here, thanks everyone!

I don't have much time right now so let me summarize my responses:

The sound is heard even after changing to a new filter.

I can't connect my heated hose to the CPAP without my humidifier. I don't have a regular hose.

Last night I made the top drawer of my night stand my CPAP drawer instead of my dress socks drawer and that masked the noise substantially. I just set it in the drawer and closed it as far as i could. It works.

The wife and I were reunited!

I'm looking forward to my DME appointment next week to see if we can figure out why this thing is louder.

I'll keep you posted folks and thanks for all the input!

P.S. Had my follow up with my sleep doctor yesterday s nd he said my CPAP therapy is going very well. Down from 35 events per hour (pre CPAP) to .1 avg. With CPAP.