Need Help: Darth Vader Sound.

[Raj]

I have three suggestions. First, rather than use a fan as acoustic perfume, buy an ambient sound generator that imitates ocean waves (Brookstone, for example, sells one) or set up a CD player in your bedroom and buy or make a CD of ocean waves or some other soothing but irregular noise, and set the system to repeat all night. A good fan's sound is too consistent to effectively mask the periodic noise of your mask-breathing and you don't need the extra chill in winter.

Second, make sure your machine sits on some sound absorbing material such as a thick mouse pad and position it well below your ear level; also a fleece cover for your long hose will act as something of an acoutic damper.

Third is a trick from Pranayama, the Yogic breathing practices: when you inhale, visualize the air being pulled directly into your mid-abdomen or even your throat rather than your nose. Try it now, without any mask. First, visualize air being pulled directly into your nostrils and listen to the sound, then try to imagine the air is going directly into your throat, then try your mid-abdomen. You may hear a major difference when you shift focus from your nostrils. You might also try "three dimensional" breathing, i.e., having your lower ribs, upper abdomen, and middle abdomen expand in back and to the sides rather than just in front. If you happen to be a "chest breather," someone who takes in air primarily by expanding the upper ribs and perhaps lifting the shoulders, I'd advise you to learn proper diaphragmatic breathing for its many health benefits in addition to quieter breathing.

[elliejose]

Your best bet will be to see if you can still swap this in on the older "tank" model. I tried for 6 months to get accustomed to the noise from the M model. The noise from mine got worse -not better - as time went on. I never got a good night of rest/sleep until I was able to swap it in for the pre M model. Mine is a bilevel machine. Don't know it that makes the noise worse or not.
Whatever you do, good luck to you, and DON'T give up.