Bleep noise - is this normal?

[freeranger]

Hello, folks. I have come a long way since my newbie post. Thx for the encouragement.

Anyway, in my eternal search for the perfect mask, I decided to try the Bleep dreamports. I was able to get them stuck on OK (if not optimally) and I attached the connectors (or thought I did). However, when I turned on the machine the noise of airflow was intense. The seal on the adhesive seemed to be fine.

I've read about modifications to reduce noise that involve filters, but, before I dive into that, can someone tell me whether the noise I was hearing was normal (as best as you can from what I'll now describe)? Did I have everything connected properly?

I unattached and reattached the connectors several times, and each time it seemed like they were connected as they should be -- when I subtly yanked on the hose, they didn't disconnect. Is that a reliable indicator of a good connection? Is the AirSense 11's mask fit function a good way to tell whether everything is connected correctly? I THINK I heard a click, and I wasn't ever able to make a better connection when simulating the action without the ports attached to my nose.

The sound seemed to be a leak, but I couldn't really tell (newbie) -- it might have just been the exhaust/vent air.

I'm kinda hoping I did something wrong because that level of noise (even if mitigated somewhat by the filter hack) would probably bother my bed partner. But I don't really know what a correct connection sounds like with this mask, hence my somewhat vague questions here.

Anyone else experience this? Tips? Many thanks in advance.

[Pugsy]

they didn't disconnect. Is that a reliable indicator of a good connection? Is the AirSense 11's mask fit function a good way to tell whether everything is connected correctly?

No and not really.

Best way to know if you have the ports attached completely and properly is to put the end of the hose in the palm of your hand to block it and then try to breathe through just the nose/mask.
If you can move much air then the ports are probably not completely connected properly.

Listening for the clicks....hard to do that and I quit trying to actually count them.

Did you get the diffuser thingy with your Bleep package?
The Bleep is a bit noisy when the vent holes aren't covered with the diffuser but actually as long as the air isn't bouncing off something the vented air isn't horribly noisy without the diffuser.

My routine
1...attach the ports to the nose...then block the holes and try to breathe. I have caught some leaks in wrinkles of the adhesives doing this.
2...attach the ports to the DreamWay connector thing. Put palm of hand over the end of the hose and try to breathe.
Shouldn't be able to move much if any air at all. If you can then most likely it didn't attach completely.
IMHO this is probably the most difficult trick to master with the Bleep but if you do the palm trick you will more easily spot poor attachment.
3...The diffuser is critical IMHO. If you don't have the black bikini thong looking diffuser you can use just a plain ResMed filter cut in the middle with a small X so you can slide the filter up over the hose so that it sits next to the vent holes.
There is a picture in the Bleep review thread because we did this until Stuart came up with the black bikini thong thing.
https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t174 ... eep+Review

Finally .....for those people who just can't manage the attaching of the ports to the DreamWay connector....there is a new updated version of the Bleep on the horizon that will make the attaching of the ports super simple.
We are hoping for it to be available to the public maybe this coming June.

[Miss Emerita]

Two footnotes to Pugsy's post. When you block the hose with your hand, you should be able to see the sides of your nose expand as you try to exhale. And you can buy the black bikini holder for the diffuser pieces separately, ditto just a packet of the diffuser pieces. I need to replace mine once a week; they get dirty.

[freeranger]

Thanks to both of you! Mine does have the black bikini looking thing. I will try blocking the ports and trying to breathe to find adhesive leaks, then blocking the hose after I've "connected" to ensure the connection is solid. Really appreciate the real-world advice!

[Dreaming1]

Freeranger you should really reach out to the creator of bleep and go through video call. He'll get you fixed up. Just email Stuart at stuart@bleepsleep.com. He gets back quick.

[loggerhead12]

I THINK I heard a click, and I wasn't ever able to make a better connection when simulating the action without the ports attached to my nose.

If you pass the Pugsy test above I would bet on the above as your problem. You shouldn't hear maybe one click - there should be three or four on each port. You can always practice with a set of used ports so you can find a way that works for you and what it should sound like when they do connect.

Oddly enough, when I don't hear them because I couldn't get a good connection (which is rare) it always seems to be easier to get them connected once I hear the rush of leaking air . . .

[nana of 3]

One other thing to check ...... You know the 2 little "posts" on each of the receptacle portion .. well there are two little "bumps" at the bottom that require the posts to sit into. If either of these posts are not properly seated there will be an air leak. Found this out by accident when I watched Stuart in a video hooking up his mask. He did a little twist of the posts once he was hooked up just to check alignment. I took a look at my bleep and sure enough one of the posts was off and caused the leak I could hear. Now I always check them before I put my bleep on, there is NO SOUND whatsoever when I close my eyes and go off to sleep.

Happy papping:
Nan

[loggerhead12]

If either of these posts are not properly seated there will be an air leak.

I held this belief as well and quoted it a few times before being corrected. It was a very convenient excuse for the occasional leak. Sadly now I have to blame myself.

The reason the posts turn is so they won't poke you in the lip. The nubs help you get them into the right spot.

[GeneMpls]

I have had a Bleep for a while and finally spent most of a night with it. I could hear my own breathing quite loudly- most post seem to mention the exhaust ports, but the sound of breathing was overwhelming. I also had quite a bit of leakage, which could be a faulty mouth tape job. Gene