Newbie needs quiet nasal mask

vitomacdoc · Post by **vitomacdoc** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:31 pm

Hello,
I have just joined the world of CPAP this week. After my first night, I am happy with a great nights sleep. I have a Respironics REMstar Plus machine with built-in humidifier. My mask is a Resmed Mirage Swift Nasal Pillow system.

The problem is my wife is a light sleeper and the exhaust from my mask is too noisy for her. The pressure is set to 6 cm, so I guess this is on the low side. I am not bothered by the exhaust noise, but it is noticeable. I am sleeping in another room and would like to return to my wife's side.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a quiet nasal mask? How do partners of CPAP users deal with the noise, earplugs? Headphones?

Thank you in advance.

Sleepy-eyes · Post by **Sleepy-eyes** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:51 pm

vitomacdoc,

How well I can appreciate your dilemma...................only it was I who couldn't tolerate the noise in the beginning. I started on the CPAP machine in September and I think it was probably December or January before the "machine" got quiet..................of course, I was just getting used to it. Now I don't even know it's running. In the beginning I thought between the noise of the machine and the mask, I was listening to the sound of a jet afterburner!!!!! I complained to the DME, my Primary Care Physician, people here on the board and even to the squirrels in my back yard. I'd have complained to the mailman if he'd ever been around when I was out by the mailbox. I was really angry.

Just hang in there. Move back in with your wife and explain she'll eventually get used to the "white sound" and whatever sounds you make at night, once again. I don't think anything about this therapy comes easy for most. Sometimes perseverance is the key word. Good luck.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:02 am

Supposedly the new OptiLife is quiet.

Read about it here:

viewtopic/t16970/Respironics-OptiLife-M ... tions.html

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:06 am

Hi vitomacdoc,

I can't help you with the noise. My wife hates any air blowing on her face, so we sleep with a lounge cushion between the pillows which solves that problem. The noise from the Swift isn't a problem for her.

Good luck

Peter

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:12 am

Peter, the Twilight NP (Aura) won't blow air at her. It vents towards your headboard. Noise level is about the same as the Swift. You might want to try it.

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:20 am

Thanks for the tip Linda,

My insurance won't pay for any of this so I'm out of pocket for everything, so we'll stick with the Swift for now. Apart from the air on Alex's face, I love it, it works really well and I can keep my beard. When it's time to replace this one I'll definitely have a look around though.

Ta

Peter

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:27 am

Since Snoredog hasn't jumped on this yet, the Soyala is dead silent. The only sound I hear when I use it is my machine, or if the heater kicks on, then I can't hear anything at all.

sleepyWI · Post by **sleepyWI** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:53 am

The Comfort Lite is very quiet as well ... but it does blow exaught to the front.

jackr · Post by **jackr** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:29 am

I cant wait for my cpap machine, I know my wife would much rather hear anything else then my snoring!

vitomacdoc · Post by **vitomacdoc** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:21 am

Thank you everyone for your help. I think I want try the Ultra Mirage II and the Soyola. A call to my equipment rep should also yield information and advice.

Thanx again.

gster · Post by **gster** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 10:28 am

i have the ultra mirage II. sounds like someone is power washing the outside of a brick building!!!!!!!! it does have a good cushion but it is going to the nasal mask recycling bin.

tohegal · Post by **tohegal** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:07 am

White noise is actually healthy for her! Aside from my hubby's Cpap machine, we have slept with a white noise machine for years...it is something you need to get used to....but once you do, it's great.

Remember, it only takes 21 days to get used to something brand new, or to introduce a new behavior or habit...maybe she can take Benadryl for those 21 days...so she will just zonk out

For the cool breeze on my face.....

1. we sleep in a king sized bed, which eliminates a lot of it
2. if it happens, i just pull his covers over the breeze...not over his head, mind you....but just enough to cover the breeze.

Good Luck to both of you!

Elle · Post by **Elle** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:04 pm

I don't think i could sleep without the noise now. I associate a good sleep with the machine and it puts me to sleep seconds after I switch it on.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:38 pm

the Soyala is the quietest mask on the market period.

the ComfortLite, Gel and Mirage II don't even compare when it comes to noise levels.

S-Dubya · Post by **S-Dubya** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:07 pm

Hard to argue with a nice, pretty graph like that, but I would add that the Activa is pretty quiet and it blows down the hose, rather that out, away from your face (toward your parter) like many others. A feature my wife and I both appreciate.

Mask	Humidifier