The quietest CPAP

MichaelM · Post by **MichaelM** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 3:41 pm

I will be prescribed my first CPAP machine soon and, unless I want to change bedrooms, will need the quietest machine available.

Realizing the vendors/suppliers will usually recommend theirs as the quietest, whether it is or not, can any users offer advise on this subject?

Thanks in advance.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 4:19 pm

Hi Michael,

The Resmed and Respironics units are more quiet than the Puritan Bennett units. But as far as I'm concerned they are all quiet enough to not cause problems for you. A funny side note, I've heard of several cases where after having gotten a new quieter machine users and their spouses have "missed" the noise of the louder machine and have trouble sleeping.

I wouldn't change bedrooms but you might have to change masks or put the machine in a location in the room that obscures most of the sound. They are really quiet though...nothing like a window fan or anything like that.

If in the end you're still concerned I would go with one of the first two brands listed. The Respironics Remstar Auto w/cflex would be my chioce for a good all around quiet machine.

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 5:55 pm

wading thru the muck! wrote:The Resmed and Respironics units are more quiet than the Puritan Bennett units. But as far as I'm concerned they are all quiet enough to not cause problems for you.

I can't speak for the ResMed units regarding noise, because right now I can't recall exactly how Spirit users have characterized their machines' noise. I think they usually report them to be quiet units, exactly as Wading suggests. Any Spirit users care to comment----especially users that have tried other CPAP or AutoPAP models to compare?

Many patients note that the "pre-C-Flex" Respironics units (going only one generation back) were whisper quiet. I have two Respironics units from that era that were, indeed, whisper quiet. I sent my RemStar Auto in for factory repair back in April, and got a brand new blower as well as a reconditioned PCA board. That new blower is a bit louder than the original. Doesn't bother me or my wife, but it just might bother others. That noise is a variable "whirring" that changes pitch with inhale and exhale. I hear more and more Respironics C-Flex users mention this as well, so I think Respironics is using a new blower---perhaps even a similar or identical third-party manufactured blower as the one used in the GK420 models by Puritan Bennet.

Agreed: from what I understand, none of these machines are anywhere near as noisey as the CPAP machines going two and three generations back. They were vacuum cleaners run in reverse!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 9:58 pm

Thanks for the advise. Haven't been assigned a supplier as yet but at least I'll have some idea of what to look for!

MichaelM · Post by **MichaelM** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 12:26 pm

The latest: Have the appointment with the doctor next week to get the prescription for the CPAP unit.

Checked with my insurance co, I will have the 10% deductible to pay.

Checked the insurance co's list of authorized providers and called one asking what type of equipment they have and what their procedure is.

So far so good but here are the CPAP otions:

Fisher Paykel and Respironics. (Fischer or Fisher, not sure which is correct)

They are telling me the Fisher Paykel is the better and quieter unit and that it has the humidifier as part of the unit, where the Respironics comes with a detachable humidifier.

Any comments on the Fisher Paykel?

Suggestions for the facial apparatus to get started? I think I prefer a full face mask. During the sleep study they had me use a mouthpiece, like a football players unit which was in my mouth and had a flap that closed over my lips. Had to use nose plugs that leaked.

I suppose I could ask to try more than one type.

Thanks

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 3:06 pm

I've recently trialed RemStar Auto, Spirit and PB 420E.

The RemStar and Spirit were both very quiet whereas the 420E tends to be loud. Seems like I can hear the 420E "breathing" with me.

I suspect that the RemStar and Spirit, which are both big machines (compared to the 420E), have some degree of sound insulation or baffling in them so that they are quieter. The 420E is very small and, if my theory is correct, does not have room for much insulation/baffling. Of the bunch, the RemStar seemed to be the quietest to me and I note that it has a slotted cap (Respironics calls it a "Silencer Cap") that attaches to the air intake on the back of the machine. I think this cap makes a difference.

maskedmechanic · Post by **maskedmechanic** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 11:06 pm

The quietest CPAP is the one none of us want, the one that is never used in the back of the closet. Blow, then Go!

MegansMum · Post by **MegansMum** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:22 am

I got a REMstar Pro with C-Flex and heated humidifier unit by Respironics today and when I tried it out for a few minutes this morning to get my mask right it supprised me how quiet it was, my fan is noiser than the machine.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:56 am

MichaelM, of the several machines I've used, the Respironics Remstar is the quietest. With that said, I've read a few people who unluckily got a Remstar that "whined", but the Respironics machines I've used, including one that was a friend's straight cpap, were very quiet.

It sounds like the mask they used on you was the Oracle. I have that one, but rarely use it. Instead, on nights when I want to breathe easily through my mouth, I prefer the ResMed Ultra Mirage FF (full face) mask. I have a Respironics Remstar autopap with heated humidifier - works great.

MichaelM · Post by **MichaelM** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:10 pm

RestedGal, thanks. What other mouth/nose devices do you recommend?

The Remstar autopap, which model is that exactly? I note two different CFlex models on the comparison page.

I am getting the feeling they are going to try to steer me towards a Fisher Pakel. Wish I could gain some knowledge about that machinery so I can present my case in either direction.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:14 pm

There is nothing wrong with a FP 420E. Also get the software with it. Not to be nosey. How much are they charging for it? The total price at cpap.com is about 900 mask, cpap and humidifier and software. This is for a automatic unit..

Cheers,

Chris

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:28 pm

Chris,

I think you're confusing FP (Fisher Paykel) with PB (Puritan Bennett). I'm not familiar with the quality of the Fisher Paykel cpaps. they do make good heated humidifiers though.

Fisher Paykel cpap

MichaelM · Post by **MichaelM** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:34 pm

chrisp wrote:There is nothing wrong with a FP 420E. Also get the software with it. Not to be nosey. How much are they charging for it? The total price at cpap.com is about 900 mask, cpap and humidifier and software. This is for a automatic unit..

Cheers,

Chris

Not certain what the cost is but that will be my next inquiry, before appointments, etc.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:39 pm

You're right WTM, Sometimes I can't tell my PB from my FBs. Gets a little rusty after a day off from the internet.

Cheers,

Chris

RubyKat · Post by **RubyKat** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 8:39 pm

I use a GoodKnight 420, which my CPAP seller/technician guy (Melbourne CPAP services, really great service) reccommended when I said I wanted a machine I could travel with. It was the smallest, lightest machine that he had, but it was also the quietest.

Though I bought it in Australia, it is a US-made machine (I have to use a converter on the plug, it still has the US plug on it) so it shouldn't be that hard to find.

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