Quietest APAP?? Time for a new machine..

FrankK · Post by **FrankK** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:25 am

Like I said above, it's time for me to get a new machine.

Been using a "Fisher & Paykel" HC221 at 10cm, with nasal pillows on "Adam Circuit" headgear. It worked for me, but main complaint is I consider it to be very LOUD, but I'd lived with it because it's not as loud as my siesmic snoring events.

Problem is I'm not sure whether what I consider to be a loud sound from this machine is in any way abnormal - because I'm not in a convenient position to try out other machines.

I like the concept of APAP's - I'm looking at REMstar Auto or Puritan Bennett 420E - but would be more than happy to consider anything else.

So which of these (or any other APAP or CPAP) is quietest?

Thanks,
Frank

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:53 am

Some experience ... (allowing that my hearing is just a bit limited in the high frequencies to the extent I use hearing aids in each ear)

1) RemStar AUTO - very quiet - cflex did add a tiny bit of up & down fan noise

2) F&P221LE - I liked it as the noise was very *constant* & in the lower frequencies & thus easy to adap to for me (wife said she preferred the RemStar)

3) Spirit AUTO set to 13-16 cms - wife moved to spare bedroom even I was taken aback at the whining when set at 13 cms - but when I set it to 14cms, the whining seemed to go ? - set it back to 13 & whine whine whine (but because of my hearing I can live with it)

I will be testing an S7 Elite, an Escape S8 & a PB420S in coming weeks eventually will do write ups on each unit.

Later, hope to test a Polaris flying saucer & maybe one or 2 others.

In summary, my advice is *don't buy without try* you may rue the purchase & wonder why you ever thought your original machine was a problem. (well maybe youcan accept a diff machine but partner surely must feature in the choice )

Cheers DSM

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 9:10 am

Note that it appears there is a LOT of variation in noise from machine to machine within the same model, going by my experience and what I have read here.

My Remstar Auto was very noisy with a very irritating giant mosquito type of noise. Others have reported theirs being very quiet.

My 420E seems pretty quiet, with a mild low-frequency white noise that I find easy to take. Others have had a different experience.

It would be nice if the manufacturers could be a little more consistent with their machines!

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 11:07 am

Hard to say which machine is quietest... I find that my 420E is very quiet when I am using the integrated humidifier (H2O). It is not quite as quiet if I don't use the humidifier. I do find the 420E to be quieter than my RemStar.

Having said this, I have used an Adam Circuit and find it to be VERY loud. I have a Breeze, which, in many ways, is essentially an updated Adam Circuit, and it is very quiet. You might want to consider changing your mask to something quieter than the Adam Circuit.

Guest-Ramona · Post by **Guest-Ramona** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 11:52 am

I am using a ResMed Respond loaner until I have my titration. It's got the heated humidifier and I love it. It's so quiet, I actually look over at it to make sure it's on before I turn over and go to sleep.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 12:43 pm

I have the REsMed Auto Spirit with Humid Air 2i and it is really quiet. My husband's Respironics with CFlex is noisier than mine.

Geocom · Post by **Geocom** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:39 pm

The combination of my PB 420 and my SomnoPlus mask is incredibly quite. I think I've found the perfect match.

I too find the 420 quieter than the RemStar.

By the way, I have a 420E and a 420G. I wasn't that impressed with the APAP, so I just set my 420E to run as a CPAP. One is for travel, and one is on my nightstand.

That being said, when a 420G can be purchased for only $297, you may want to ask yourself if it's worth the extra money to buy an APAP.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:15 pm

A safe return from Iraq!!

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:27 pm

I have an F&P 234, very, very quiet. Just a very faint "whoosh" sound. Light, compact, and integrated humidifier. Worth a look for the price, I think.

i_am_jim · Post by **i_am_jim** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:42 pm

My ResMed S8 AutoSet Vantage is whisper quiet.

BP · Post by BP » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:27 pm

I have a Remstar Auto, Remstar Plus, and PB 420e. I find, at 10cm, and I think pressure makes quite a bit of difference, i.e. the higher the pressure the more noise, they are about the same level of loudness. Although, the Remstars have a more consistent even sound, while the 420e whines up and down with my breathing. I find that my Remstar Passover humidifier tames them all considerably, evens out the tone very well. It has made a huge difference for me, I wouldn't cpap without it.

It's nice to try them first, but how do you do that? I tried, and unless your dme carries all the varieties this is difficult. Other dmes were NOT willing to lend me machines. Some will rent for $150 per month, so that is an option.

Good luck,
BP

i_am_jim · Post by **i_am_jim** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:34 pm

BP wrote:I think pressure makes quite a bit of difference, i.e. the higher the pressure the more noise

I didn't think of that. The nature of my unit it doesn't ramp up the pressure until it's needed and I'm asleep then so I don't hear it. My wife thinks it's much quieter than my 10 year old Respironics.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:35 pm

Very Interesting - confirms what RG & I were discussing recently.

Each machine may well have its own sound signature and no one can truly state that all machines even of the same model are going to be the same.

What really caught my attention was that my experience with an Autoset Spirit at 13-16 is in complete contrast to other posters use of the same machine *and* my experience with the RemStar is also in complete contrast to other poster's.

If could be easy to believe that others have got it wrong re their reports on noise/machine but the clear evidence is here for us to read.

Because I have a spirit and an elite & they are identical machines internally (only a software difference), I am going to do an experiment. I will swap the blower from my currently dismantled Elite (waiting to be photographed) with the spirit & see if the sound pattern changes. I am guess it it will but won't know until I try. This may take a day or two to enact. I will report back.

If there is no change in the whining at 13-16 on the spirit, then it merely adds to the mystery.

Cheers

DSM

FrankK · Post by **FrankK** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:58 pm

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies.

Looks like my quest for the silent APAP/CPAP machine might not be as simple as I'd hoped. Had hoped to find a comparative sound spectrum study between different machines, but doesn't help if machine models aren't consistent. Had also hoped that the best machine I can find (an APAP) might be quieter, but appears there might not be a correlation there.

For what it's worth.. I haven't noticed had any sound problems from my mask, but my old "Fisher & Paykel" HC221 has a nasty high pitched whine and the humidifier cup also tends to rattle in its mount with a loud resonance. I'm thinking I can hardly do worse than what I've got, so maybe I'll just take a chance with a 420G because it seems easier to pack for travel.

Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

Frank

P.S. - I'd even thought of getting a longer hose and building a sound attenuation box around the machine.. Anybody try that?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:44 pm

Again, I am so surprised at your experience with your HC221 - I only stopped using mine as I wanted to experiment with AUTO modes.

It has no high pitched noise (with or without my hearing aids ) just a steady low 'white' noise which doesn't vary at all no matter how hard I blow back into the mask.

My Spirit noise sounds like a very angry gnat when I try that - in fact it sounds like an angry gnat all the time *when set at 13-16*.

The Remstar does hunt up & down a little but the sound is not the same whine I am getting from my Spirit.

Also - the F&P bottle didn't rattle - sounds to me like your pump impeller is impalanced - wish I could pull it apart & fix it for you

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/fp- ... index.html

Cheers & good luck

DSM

Mask	Humidifier

Quietest APAP?? Time for a new machine..

Quietest APAP?? Time for a new machine..

Quiet APAP