New Resmed Airsense 10 making wheezing noise on inhaling

Hi,

I got a Resmed Airsense 10 Elite (CPAP only) machine a month ago (new), and have used everyday without noticing any issue or specific noise. The machine was actually very quiet. CPAP pressure was set to 8.

I swapped it for a brand new Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset (Auto PAP) on Friday (machine had 0 hours). First night was fine (and showed that I actually needed a higher pressure), but last night, it was a nightmare: the machine was doing a high pitch, whining/wheezing/whistling noise every time I was breathing in/inhaling. I couldn't sleep with it. Even with earplugs, the noise was coming to the mask via the tube.

I tried to fix it:

• I swapped the mask
• I tried breathing directly in the tube through my mouth (no difference to sound)
• swapped the tube
• changed the inlet air filter
• removed and put back the humidifier several times
• put the standard side cover instead of the humidifier
• removed the air outlet port (pressing the tab under its retaining piece) and put back
• changed many settings (including putting back the machine in CPAP), enabling/disabling EPR, lowering the pressure etc

but the noise stayed through the night.Noise seems to be coming from the motor chamber or left-side air inlet.

I understand the two machines are actually identical in term of hardware, apart from the firmware/software used, so wouldn't expect the Autoset model to be noisier than the Elite one, at the same pressure.

Is that machine already faulty? Should I ask for a replacement from Resmed? I paid full price for it, as a private patient in the UK, so I am not too keen to have a brand new, expensive machine going through a repair (and the wait associated with it).

Thanks,
Ted

Yes... you should take it back and exchange it. It is a very quiet machine.

Sheriff

I agree with the Sheriff. These things are near dead silent. I would insist on a replacement, not a fix, since they gave it to you broken. Might not be their fault. While these things are tough as nails and well protected in their cases, boxes get dropped and some will become damaged as a result.

I agree that it sounds like you got a defective machine. Those two machines should sound the same from the user's point of view. Ask the DME to swap it out for you and the sooner you do this, the better. They should order the new machine in advance so you can swap them without having any time without a machine. Resmed does not deal directly with cpap users - you have to go through the DME who supplied the machine to you. Resmed will allow the DME to return the defective machine to Resmed and it won't cost them anything. Depending on the DME, you may have to be assertive to get the customer service you deserve, so keep on top of them. Make it easier for them to do the right thing then to string you along. Good luck!

Hi,

I don't have a DME as such, as I am based in the UK.

I purchased the machine at full price from a private sleep clinic, which specifically ordered it for me, as they only have the Elite model by default.

Therefore, I am not sure they will order another one and just swap them around.

Having done some further test today, the high pitch noise is only heard when the pressure is higher than 7.4. From that pressure, the noise comes to the hose and mask, and earplugs don't change anything. When the pressure is lower, the machine makes some noise, but earplugs can block it.

T.

Hi TedTomato...

The majority of people on this board who have the ResMed AirSense 10 are very happy with their machines and report that they are very quiet, if not exceptionally so. However, there is a subset that have experienced the inhalation noise that you have described. I am in that latter group.

My first AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her made a noise upon each inhalation which I likened to and dubbed "a wheezy whale". The machine/motor itself was very quiet, yet the wheezing noise mimicked my every breath. Luckily it never 'whistled' nor reached a continuous high pitch like yours....its just that this seemingly erstwhile quiet machine suddenly burst into life every time I breathed! (Cue Sting..."Every breath you take...every night you stay, I'll be watching you"....) And I tried every fix you did, and more. Nothing worked.

My DME agreed to exchange, ordered and brought another brand new one to my home. The rep said to try it for a few nights, but stated that she could not do another exchange. Well....this new one was Wheezy Whale's cousin. Same noise upon inhalation, but a smidgen less in volume, thank goodness.

I'm normally one to fight and be pro-active to not take 'lesser', but having just had major surgery, I didn't have it in me to jump into the fray this time around. I just accepted the wheezing as a new norm for my CPAP use, turned on the TV with timer to mask the noise a bit, and fell aspleep. I adjusted to it, and determined for myself that I can live with it.

I most certainly am NOT telling YOU to do that! Yours is whistling and whining and it is bothering you. Exchange it and try out the machine in a quiet room in their office. Keep on exchanging if you can while there. I HOPE that you DO get a quiet one, as others have. However, there are other previous posts on this board besides mine, and on another apnea board, that also have had the same problem. Some exchanged and got quiet ones, some did not. Some got theirs repaired...."pneumatic block" (which turns out is the whole innards of the machine!)....and others devised other methods to adjust to it. I agree...it is not right that one has to take a lot of extra measures to 'make it right'....but the common denominator I am seeing is that it happens with people who have bought/received their machines relatively recently. ( I got my first one Oct.27 and the second one Nov. 21)

Mine was ordered out of Pennsylvania, the 'pneumatic block' repair was in Australia, you are in U.K.....so I can't think that the problem is localized to one batch/distribution center? Is it possible that ResMed is having a QC issue re: inhalation noise specifically? I've read enough complaints about it that surely ResMed, monitoring their exchange/return rates is aware of the problem by now? Maybe not enough are affected to bother ResMed?

Keep trying TedTomato....print out some posts of others with the problem so DME doesn't think you're just a lone wolf/difficult patient........using a machine is absolutely necessary to your better health. I wish you luck!

N.B - Since insurance paid 100% for my AutoSet, I just bought a new S9 from CPAP.com when it was a very good deal and relegated the AS 10 For Her as my backup. My S9 for Her is very quiet.
*Just saw your last post as I typed this. Mine didn't keep the AutoSet for Her in stock normally either, and had to order another one. Don't assume that yours won't. Keep smilin' and keep askin' 'em!

Thanks DanceDiva,

Sounds like it's a bit of a lottery in term of getting a quiet one. However, since I am paying 100% for the machine, I am going to keep asking for a replacement until I get a good one, and will take it to Resmed directly if I need to (as they have some obligations and have to provide me with a warranty). If this goes nowhere, I will ask for a refund and go for another brand.

Since I started CPAP therapy, I have slept with earplugs anyway, so I don't mind too much about the machine noise, and breathing in and out noise in the machine chamber.

However, the high pitch noise coming into the mask, and not stopped by the earplugs, is driving me crazy and makes the machine unusable...

My machine was made in Singapore, according to the label. It seems to be a recent model, as there is another option in the settings to change the response...

My previous machine (Airsense 10 Elite) was purchased early November, was also made in Singapore, and was very quiet.

Hello again tedtomato,

I agree with the others. The ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet should sound the same as the ResMed AirSense 10 Elite (that you paid for earlier, and presumably 'traded in').

If the private clinic specifically ordered it for you, that suggests they don't keep a stock of them, doesn't it? They merely added the filled-in prescription form (ie, performed that service which is required by law), and then placed the order.

And as a private clinic - presumambly a small-sized business or concern - they do not have a mending department.

I suggest you call ResMed UK direct, and explain your position. Their number (dialing from within the UK) is: 0800 907 7071.

Have the machine's individual unit identification number ready - you will find it on the underside of the machine.

And if I can go all Martin Lewis* on you, you are covered both by the Sale of Goods Act, 1979, and the newer Consumer Rights Act, 2015. You paid for a brand new, faultless machine. It should behave and sound like a brand new, faultless machine.

So ... do call ResMed UK. As someone who buys my masks directly from them, I have always found them very helpful.

* Martin Lewis is a well-known consumer rights journalist in the UK.

I would like to also suggest that you check the machine out at the DME or wherever you pick it up. Don't wait till you get home.

Sheriff

Yes, I traded in the Elite one for the Autoset, after one month. The clinic ordered a new Autoset machine for me (it's not a common model they typically give out) and just charged me for the difference, so nothing to complain about. I made the case that the Autoset one would have been a better option to start with, if I had been given the choice, as the cost difference is not that high. Apart from a long winded process of trial and error, I am not sure how the optimum pressure would be determined on a standard CPAP machine anyway.

Regarding the issue with the Autoset, I sent an email to Resmed UK yesterday (Sunday) and they replied the same day (on a Sunday evening!). Under the warranty, they agreed immediately to replace the machine (and all accessories) today with a new one, at their local sleeping centre/office.

Outstanding customer service received from Resmed!

I know they usually don't deal directly with patients, but I would much rather talk to the manufacturer directly to resolve such issues.

New Autoset machine does the usual expected noises, but no issue with high pitch noise coming via the hose into the mask, so the previous one had indeed something wrong.

I was frustrated with a whistling sound when inhaling. It was coming from the mask. It turns out the it was related to one of the setup settings. In the config it thin hose was selected. After changing it to large hose there was no more sound. Additionally, my eyes don't feel like they are buldging any more.

Resmed Airsense 10- I was having the same wheezing noise described. I went into the config settings and found that the tube was set on slim line! I changed it to standard and the noise has stopped for now. Thanks for the Tip!

RichE wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 01, 2018 2:31 pm

I was frustrated with a whistling sound when inhaling. It was coming from the mask. It turns out the it was related to one of the setup settings. In the config it thin hose was selected. After changing it to large hose there was no more sound. Additionally, my eyes don't feel like they are buldging any more.

I have the same issue. How do you get to the setting in Config to change it from thin hose to large hose?

Nickatnash wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 02, 2018 5:26 am

Resmed Airsense 10- I was having the same wheezing noise described. I went into the config settings and found that the tube was set on slim line! I changed it to standard and the noise has stopped for now. Thanks for the Tip!

I have the same issue. How do you get to the setting in Config to change it from thin hose to large hose?

Nickatnash wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 02, 2018 5:26 am

Resmed Airsense 10- I was having the same wheezing noise described. I went into the config settings and found that the tube was set on slim line! I changed it to standard and the noise has stopped for now. Thanks for the Tip!

oreooreo wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 23, 2018 8:22 am

Nickatnash wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 02, 2018 5:26 am

Resmed Airsense 10- I was having the same wheezing noise described. I went into the config settings and found that the tube was set on slim line! I changed it to standard and the noise has stopped for now. Thanks for the Tip!

I have the same issue. How do you get to the setting in Config to change it from thin hose to large hose?

I don't think you have the same issue.

If you can't see the configuration setting for your hose, it's probably because you are using a climate line hose and it's being set correctly for you.

You can't always read a sentence in a post, and make the determination you have the same problem and solution. I'm also not convinced that the OP's solution is correct. It may have solved the wheezing noise, but having the wrong hose configured can result in less optimal setting.

He might have a standard size tube, but given it's a ResMed A.S. 10 it's probably a slimline.