Machine w/o variable speed blower?

For years I've been using my ResMed S6 CPAP. When I went out of town recently, I tried my wife's backup machine, which was a Respironics somethingorother. The Respironics I borrowed had a blower that was speeding up/slowing down upon inhale/exhale. I understand that this is to maintain a consistent pressure. However, I can hear this variance in speed and it drives me crazy! I'm used to the monotonous white noise I get with my ResMed S6 CPAP. So now I am worried that when my machine eventually breaks that I won't be able to find another one with a blower that maintains a constant speed. Do they still make them? Or does everybody make variable speed blowers now? Thanks in advance!

You provided really no detail on what equipment you are talking about.

Just a guess... your wife has a Bilevel machine? You have a non-Bilevel.

BiLevel machines have two air pressures... one for Inhale IPAP and one for Exhale EPAP and that is most likely what you are hearing.

If you only need a CPAP (constant no with no IPAP/EPAP differences) you would not get that type of machine for a replacement.

Some machines are louder than others and where you put them makes a difference. Typically position below the top of the mattress is best as it blocks sound from the machine.

BTW my BiLevel is very very quiet. The mask vent noise is much louder than the machine itself which I don't hear at all.

Resmed S6? That would be more than ancient.

WindFlyer wrote:For years I've been using my ResMed S6 CPAP. When I went out of town recently, I tried my wife's backup machine, which was a Respironics somethingorother. The Respironics I borrowed had a blower that was speeding up/slowing down upon inhale/exhale. I understand that this is to maintain a consistent pressure. However, I can hear this variance in speed and it drives me crazy! I'm used to the monotonous white noise I get with my ResMed S6 CPAP. So now I am worried that when my machine eventually breaks that I won't be able to find another one with a blower that maintains a constant speed. Do they still make them? Or does everybody make variable speed blowers now? Thanks in advance!

It sounds like she has "exhale relief" (C-Flex or A-Flex) turned on with her machine (with the newer ResMed machines it's called EPR). With any of the newer machines, that feature can be turned off and used with truly "straight" pressure as you've been using with your S6 machine. So, with the current ResMed and Philips/Respironic (and other) machines, the exhale relief is an optional feature and can be turned off or set to various settings. You can have any of them emulate the S6 you've been using.


Den

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WindFlyer wrote:For years I've been using my ResMed S6 CPAP. When I went out of town recently, I tried my wife's backup machine, which was a Respironics somethingorother. The Respironics I borrowed had a blower that was speeding up/slowing down upon inhale/exhale. I understand that this is to maintain a consistent pressure. However, I can hear this variance in speed and it drives me crazy! I'm used to the monotonous white noise I get with my ResMed S6 CPAP. So now I am worried that when my machine eventually breaks that I won't be able to find another one with a blower that maintains a constant speed. Do they still make them? Or does everybody make variable speed blowers now? Thanks in advance!

I'm pretty sure that your resmed s6 does the same thing, it's just quieter and you don't notice it... put your ear to it sometime and see.

the blowers pretty much *have* to vary in speed as you breath in and out, otherwise, the pressure would be too low when you inhale, and too high when you exhale.

that said, I had a respironics system 1 60 auto, (560) and I replaced it with a resmed s9 vpap, just because I could hear a faint whine from the motor that rose and fell when my bedmate was using it. I don't hear that with the resmed machine.

so, don't fear, just stick with the resmeds

WindFlyer wrote:20cm H2O
28,000 hours on CPAP
100% Compliant for 10 yrs.+

Really???

Therapist wrote:

WindFlyer wrote:20cm H2O
28,000 hours on CPAP
100% Compliant for 10 yrs.+

Really???

10 years of use at 7.67 hours per night does equal 28,000 hours.

WindFlyer, as I understand it, the turbine impeller inside most CPAPs creates the pressure (CM of water) by it's speed. So what you hear is the change of speed between inhaling and exhaling if the pressures are not the same. If you would run an S9 CPAP like the Elite, without any EPR, then the sound should be without wining, I think, and I can try it out since I also have an S9 Elite. Overall, I like to hear my S9 Autoset wining. It sort of masks my Tinnitus.

robysue wrote:

Therapist wrote:

WindFlyer wrote:20cm H2O
28,000 hours on CPAP
100% Compliant for 10 yrs.+

Really???

10 years of use at 7.67 hours per night does equal 28,000 hours.

I am quite good at basic math, thank you.

Did you ever think beyond your math education that it seems a little funny that someone who can tolerate 20cm for 10 years is worrying about a little bit of noise?

Do I have to spell things like this out for you?

I am wondering what therapy is the Therapist doing?

avi123 wrote:I am wondering what therapy is the Therapist doing?

Her own?
It's in her profile.


Den

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Therapist wrote:Do I have to spell things like this out for you?

clueless, and rude,to the very end.

Wulfman... wrote:

avi123 wrote:I am wondering what therapy is the Therapist doing?

Her own?
It's in her profile.

I think he means, "providing", besides the abuse here.

I know what the OP means.

My original machine is a 15 year old Respironics Aria LX. It's noisy but apparently has more inertia to the blower rotor because it's pretty much steady pitch.
The System One 250 that I replaced it with is set for constant pressure but the audible pitch varies up and down as you breathe.
I've adapted to it but it took a long time to get used to.

Therapist wrote:

WindFlyer wrote:20cm H2O
28,000 hours on CPAP
100% Compliant for 10 yrs.+

Really???

Yes. Really.

robysue wrote:

Therapist wrote:

WindFlyer wrote:20cm H2O
28,000 hours on CPAP
100% Compliant for 10 yrs.+

Really???

10 years of use at 7.67 hours per night does equal 28,000 hours.

Yes it does. Do the math. I have the reading on the hour meter to prove it.