DreamStation Auto vs AirSense 10 AutoSet

[MurrayNevada]

I’m just a beginner at this but I want to make some observations about the differences I’ve experienced with the Respironics DreamStation Auto vs the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet over the past couple of weeks. As far as comfort is concerned the AirSense 10 AutoSet is silent on inhale/exhale. The DreamStation Auto seems to amplify inhale/exhale sound to the point that it keeps me awake. Pressure changes aren’t as noticeable with the AirSense 10 AutoSet.

I keep the humidifier off on both and use it as a pass over humidifier with room temperature distilled water. The DreamStation Auto humidifier evaporated very little water during the night where the AirSense 10 AutoSet evaporates 1/3 of the humidifier water each night.

I’ve attached a SleepyHead screenshot covering my treatment to date. I see a drop in AHI since I moved from the Respironics DreamStation Auto to the AirSense 10 AutoSet on June 2nd. Also, I have had no periodic breathing since using the AirSense 10 AutoSet. Hopefully you experienced folks can look at this screenshot and share your observations.

[canyouhearmeaya]

Odd request, any chance you can record a video of your airsense 10 so I can hear what noise the machine makes on inhale?

As you say it's silent, I got a brand new Airsense 10 Auto For her the other day, and I feel like it's noisy, I can hear the air wooshing into the machine with every inhale.. I can't determine if my machine is making normal noises or is faulty.

[MurrayNevada]

I don't think it an odd request. I'm simply asking the experienced folks here if they can discern changes, since June 2nd, that I cannot see with my limited experience. As for the loudness, beauty is in the ear of the beholder.

[canyouhearmeaya]

I don't think it an odd request. I'm simply asking the experienced folks here if they can discern changes, since June 2nd, that I cannot see with my limited experience. As for the loudness, beauty is in the ear of the beholder.

LOL, I meant my request was an odd request! Not yours haha!

Well do you really mean 'silent'? As in, you LITERALLY can't hear anything from it? Or it's just quiet compared to other machines you've used?

[MurrayNevada]

I literally hear no sound on inhale/exhale with the ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet using the F&P Simplus Full Face Mask. I tried the AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask yesterday and I did hear slight sound on inhale/exhale. BTW, the AirFit P10 FFM is on its way back. Much too tight and uncomfortable pillows. I don't know what others have experienced with sound from the AirSense 10 AutoSet vs other machines but for me it was like night & day.

[Pugsy]

Sometimes it's hard to distinguish the in our head Darth Vadar sounds and machine motor ramping up noise.
Conducted noise vs in our head noise.

What I did when I was asked to measure the machine noise (not the breathing noise) was use the sound meter on my cell phone.

First I lay the phone on the bed with nothing whatsoever on...to get the ambient background numbers which was about 32.
Then I lay the phone on the table next to the motor side of the AirSense 10 and then I put the mask on and turned the machine on.
Without any breathing it was showing about 40 to 45 decibels. Once I started to inhale and exhale I watched the decibels fluctuate between 40 to 55 with the 55 being on inhale which is when the machine is working harder and putting out more flow. So as to be expected.
Then I lay the phone back on the bed about 2 ft away from the machine and in the same spot I used to get the ambient decibels and it went back to around 33 or so with both inhale and exhale...didn't fluctuate. So essentially silent at 2 feet.

The Darth Vadar sounds....those are in my head and I would have them if I was 20 ft away from the machine.
There is a difference between breathing noises and machine motor noises.
Now some machines seem to make the breathing noises worse...and I don't know why but they do. The Respironics always made my breathing noise/Darth Vadar sounds worse than the ResMed machines.
The breathing noises with my AirSense...sometimes I notice them and sometimes I don't. When I do notice them they aren't an issue and I probably quickly tune them out. When people focus on them...they will get louder.

The Darth Vadar breathing noise level is subjective and comes with a huge YMMV sticker because we are all different in how we experience them and how much they bug us. I can force them to become louder by making concentrated effort to take bigger breaths and lessen the noise level with smaller breaths. Using a hose cozy seems to lessen the sounds even more. Hanging the hose overhead so it never touches the table or the mattress seems to also lessen the noise. It's conducted noise of some sort and when it has a buffer like with the hose cozy or it doesn't touch anything to conduct anything it can lessen a bit.

Now as to why the ResMed gives me less Darth Vadar sounds...beats me. Not everyone experiences less.
And why the sounds bug some people and not others...again beats me.
I just know that it's nice to have less breathing noise and sometimes no breathing noise.

[chunkyfrog]

FYI: cpap.com has decibel ratings shown on their product pages.
This is probably measured on the "bench"; so YMMV (your mileage may vary)
Machine placement can influence the sound on your pillow.
Put the machine just below the edge of the mattress, and on a resilient surface,
like an old style foam mouse pad (remember those!), thin urethane or craft foam sheet.
Even a pair of new, UNUSED cheap foam insoles, side by side.
Anything that can prevent turning the table top into a sound board--but without obstructing airflow.

[Chibi's Dad]

MurrayNevada,

I sense from your avatar that you are a Former Marine. Did you obtain your machines from the VA? It is my understanding that these are the two machines the VA generally issues. May I ask why you changed from one to the other? I ask because I will be receiving a machine from the VA next week and, if given a choice, I'd like to make an informed decision. Thanks in advance.

[MurrayNevada]

Correct about the Marine vet part (1968-1977). I went through the VA for a sleep study in 2006. They gave me a brick machine, wouldn't give me a humidifier with it and gave me a mask that didn't work for me. I was very disappointed with care and ceased my OSA treatment. That said, the OSA care by the VA at this time is EXCELLANT. You are correct that both the ResMed machine and the Respironics machine are available from the VA. Do not hesitate to go to the VA for treatment. They have improved greatly over the past dozen years.

I bought the ResMed machine on my own. The Respironics machine made a great deal of noise on my inhale and exhale. That was disturbing my sleep. The ResMed gives me better sleep and better numbers. It also seems to be more reactive to events. The Respironics machine is a also good machine. The ResMed just worked better for me. Go to the VA sleep clinic well informed and don't hesitate to tell the sleep specialists what you want. I think you will leave with what you want and well satisfied.

Semper fidelis,
Mike

[UppaMike]

I recently switched from a PR S1 560 to a ResMed Autosense 10 Autoset. I am constantly amazed at how quiet it is compared to my old machine. From 1 to 2 feet away, it is virtually silent. The PR S1 seemed to have a wheeze to it right from the beginning. It never got any worse that I could tell but it never got any better either. If I woke up in the middle of the night I would lay there listening to it as I would inhale and exhale. No problem with the Autosense.

I have also seen an improvement in my AHI, although not as drastic as yours. With my old machine I ran an AHI between 1.0 and 2.0, now I tend to run between 0.0 and 0.8.

I am pretty happy with the Autosense. I still have some mask leak problems I am working on, but other than that it has been a real improvement in my treatment.

[AslihanBiyikoglu]

Odd request, any chance you can record a video of your airsense 10 so I can hear what noise the machine makes on inhale?

As you say it's silent, I got a brand new Airsense 10 Auto For her the other day, and I feel like it's noisy, I can hear the air wooshing into the machine with every inhale.. I can't determine if my machine is making normal noises or is faulty.

Try unplugging the hose start right at the end of your mouthpiece and re-inserting. I am the newest of a newby, just got my trial machine 2 hours ago but he made me try at the office and there were no noise what so ever, and then I came home and it was making a lot of noise, I took it apart and put it back and the noise disappeared. I took a nap and it was super quiet.

[Hopeful50]

Two comments to the OP:
- I don't think the ResMed Autoset reports periodic breathing, so that would be why your chart shows it at 0.
- My sleep doc stopped prescribing the Dreamstation and only prescribes ResMed Autoset because so many of his Dreamstation patients complained of the noise.

[Pugsy]

- I don't think the ResMed Autoset reports periodic breathing, so that would be why your chart shows it at 0.

Actually the AirSense 10 autoset can report PB. It just calls it CSR for Cheyne Stokes Respiration.

[palerider]

- I don't think the ResMed Autoset reports periodic breathing, so that would be why your chart shows it at 0.

Actually the AirSense 10 autoset can report PB. It just calls it CSR for Cheyne Stokes Respiration.

This is true... whether Resmed does a better job of flagging true CSR while the Respironics just flags any kind of cyclical waxing and waning of breathing is a question I can't remember the answer to... if I knew it.

I know that Respironics DOES flag a lot of things as "pb" that aren't CSR...

[canyouhearmeaya]

Odd request, any chance you can record a video of your airsense 10 so I can hear what noise the machine makes on inhale?

As you say it's silent, I got a brand new Airsense 10 Auto For her the other day, and I feel like it's noisy, I can hear the air wooshing into the machine with every inhale.. I can't determine if my machine is making normal noises or is faulty.

Try unplugging the hose start right at the end of your mouthpiece and re-inserting. I am the newest of a newby, just got my trial machine 2 hours ago but he made me try at the office and there were no noise what so ever, and then I came home and it was making a lot of noise, I took it apart and put it back and the noise disappeared. I took a nap and it was super quiet.

Do you mean the bit where the mask joins to the hose? (I use nasal pillows, so no mouth bit on mine.) I Did try that once and it didn't make a difference but I'll try again