Vent noise/leaks disturbing spouse

It could either be a mask leak or air heading out of your mouth. I would suspect the former. You may need to try to adjust the headgear. It's possible that when you relax (as you fall asleep) you don't keep a solid seal. A mask liner might also be an option.

I think you're on to it now. You described your mask as one over your nose so I'd bet the rush comes when your jaw relaxes and your mouth opens. You could try a chin strap or tape over your mouth and see what happens. You don't have to spend a lot of $ either to try new things. There is a description of a member's homemade chin strap made up of some medical tape and safety pins on this site, but it keeps her mouth closed. You'd be surprised how noisy it can be when that initial burst of air leaves your mouth under force. Bet you it's your mouth.

Sleepingugly posted what I was speaking of here (2 links) at following location.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64780&p=604376&hili ... ng#p604376

I've just started using a CPAP machine. Initially, I was using the ResMes Mirage SoftGel Nasal Mask, but after about a week, it started leaking from around the mask. Nothing I did could stop the leaking. The leaking was a very loud (in the still of the night) hissing. I hadn't found this site yet, otherwise I may have tried some of the tips others have mentioned.

I switched to what I believe is the Resmed Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow Mask. I find the vent holes to be a little louder than with the previous mask, but the chances of leaks are much lower.

With respect to open mouth, I find that my dreams are affected when my mouth is opened. The odd sounds of the air rushing out of my mouth get incorporated into my dreams. I wake up, close my mouth, then get back to sleep quickly.

Ok - new info. First, my pressure is set at 9.

Second, my wife and I were able to recreate the sound. It wasn't mouth breathing, it isn't the vent holes, its the seal of the mask to my face. Somehow I am generating a large leak, that only onsets when I fall asleep.

I am not sure why that is, and over the course of the time when I was sleeping in there and getting whacked I had adjusted the straps many times, many ways. So my inclination now is to try a new mask. I am not in great shape vis-a-vi my insurance, but I will browbeat my DME into getting what I need. I am thinking of trying the nasal pillow approach. Something different.

Thanks for the help. Any other suggestions I should try?

Ordered a new mask the Mirage Swift™ II Nasal Pillow. We'll see how that goes.

How about that? Had us wracking our brains trying to help you and all the time it was just "face farts!"

jimnsc wrote:How about that? Had us wracking our brains trying to help you and all the time it was just "face farts!"

Sorry for the wild goose chase. Like I said, I need to hang out here more and learn the lingo.

Occam's facemask, or something like that.

Sesq wrote:... Occam's facemask, or something like that. ...

ROLFMAO !!

With a sense of humor like that, you are most definitely forgiven!

With the ComfortGel mask, the blue cushion and plastic flap are detachable for cleaning and replacement. It's possible to get them snapped on two sides, but not on the third. This can cause a variable and noisy leak.

One thing I sometimes get is that when I put on my mask, I subconsciously tense up my face and mouth and force my face into the mask, stopping leaks. Later when I relax, leaks can start. Be sure to feel your face and adjust the mask with your face relaxed. What works best for me is to put on the mask, then try to flex my face such that the mask leaks and adjust it until it stops.

archangle wrote:I've wondered if it wouldn't be possible to wrap some sort of cloth around the vent area of the mask to quiet the sound.

I'm guessing that would tend to INCREASE the noise by disturbing the normal airflow.

LinkC wrote:

archangle wrote:I've wondered if it wouldn't be possible to wrap some sort of cloth around the vent area of the mask to quiet the sound.

I'm guessing that would tend to INCREASE the noise by disturbing the normal airflow.

It made mine quieter when I tried it, but I didn't try to spend a night with it. It's worth a try if noise is a problem for you. If it doesn't help or makes it worse, fiddle with it, try a different material, or give up and take it off. It's not like it's difficult or expensive to try.

archangle wrote:Someone should make a mask where the exhaust vent connects to a hose and you can route the exhaust hose back along the air hose and vent the air and noise somewhere more convenient. Should help with a lot of spouse CPAP problems.

The Headrest vents out the top of the mask, and is amazingly quiet. Unfortunately, the factory burned down and it's not being made. (I could wish our sponsors could buy the patent and make it again!)