APAP machine very noisy

Hi all,

After a few weeks of experimenting with our new APAP machine I am back on this lovely forum. I hope that you are all well.

The therapy has shown positive effects and my dh's snoring has decreased a lot. Thank you for all of those who have supported us.

I am now dealing with a new (old) issue though. The device makes a lot of noise when in use.
I have checked and it is not related to any mask leaks, but merely the engine of the machine.

Are there any tips or tricks to eliminate the noise? Taking out the filter helps but my dh has been very allergic after doing so last time so we are trying to avoid having to do this. I have tried towels underneath as well as putting it inside the cupboard with no luck. The whistling sound is driving me crazy.

I would highly appreciate you suggestions.

Thank you very much!

This is generally a very quiet machine. As with all PAP machines, it will make more noise at higher pressure. It will also seem noisier with exhalation relief than without it (the higher the relief setting, the more so).

In the case of the DreamStation, I noticed that it's a lot noisier without the humidifier that with it. Even if you're not using humidification, you should attach the humidifier and just turn it off.

BTW, what are your settings? Do you have the humidifier attached?

The machine should be pretty quiet, so there may be a problem with it.

A couple things to try. Sit the machine on a thick rubber type mousepad and see if that helps. It could be vibrating what it is sitting on and amplifying the sound.

Where is the machine located? Can you put it lower beside the bed?

We old folks think of mouse pads, but we forget optical mice have been in use
for longer than a lot of younger folks have been alive.
Let's think craft foam or a pot holder, fold a washcloth in two, (something "current")
Just sound absorbing material under the machine can work very well.
Also lowering the machine to just below the edge of the mattress can muffle the sound.

Hi all,

Thank you for the suggestions which give me hope that we can battle this issue as well.

How do we turn off the humidifier? Currently there is no water in the machine so I am guessing the humidifier is not required?

I have examined the sound last night and comes directly from the machine. It sounds almost like a alarm and it keeps me alert hence I can't relax at all and I get anxious when trying to sleep.

I have placed it on the floor last night with a towel underneath but still no luck unfortunately.
We had brought it back to the shop various times but they tried to tell us that the noise is normal. It doesn't bother my husband much but it drives me crazy.

I am now thinking of contacting Philips directly while the warranty is still valid.

The settings are currently on 12-20 and it has helped a great deal with the snoring which is amazing. If we could only solve this issue too I would be so happy.

I'm currently doing a trial with the same machine and it is virtually silent. I have to use the dehumidifier though; maybe that makes a difference.

Tahera11979 wrote:How do we turn off the humidifier? Currently there is no water in the machine so I am guessing the humidifier is not required?

Try adding some water to the water chamber but turn the heat off to the humidifier (setting of 0). The humidifier acts like a muffler and even more so with water in it. The clinical manual explains how to turn the humidifier off. Did you get on? It's in the same area where the settings for pressure are.

Has it been this noisy from day one or just start up recently? If it just started doing it then obviously something changed within the machine and it's not normal at all.....especially whistling high pitched noise.
These machines should be pretty much silent and when a machine goes from silent to noisy and we are sure it is the machine....it is having a problem and needs to be replaced.

Given that I have this machine and find it very quiet (despite a relatively high pressure setting), I would not rule out the possibility that the machine is defective.

I'm sorry if my prior comments were interpreted to mean that you should not question whether the machine is defective.

Also, please verify it's the CPAP and not the transformer making the noise. The transformer (sometimes known as the "brick"), is a brick-like object in the middle of the power cord (or power lead in U.K. speak). It transforms household electricity (220 volts / 50 hz in the UK), to direct current and generate a proprietary signal.

Thank you for your comments, I appreciate it as always. DH, you are right, the higher the pressure the louder the whistling.
I remember that the machine has been noisy from day 1 and regardless if we use water or not the whistling sounds remains especially when inhaling.

The only time it is quieter is when the filter is out which is not really an option. We followed Pugsy's advise and switched off the humidifier which made it slightly better.

I have found this threat on a different website and it seems as this is a common issue and the problem really exists and is not only in my head as the hospital has tried to accused me off.

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread ... rent-brand

We have contacted the manufacturer directly and I will insist on checking the machine and rectifying any issue as the hospital just keeps giving us false information or trying to brush us off since the beginning. I sincerely hope that this will all work out and that we won't face any other issue if they replace the devise.