Resmed S9 users, a question

[newarcher]

Hi all,

The Philips System One is history...toast...out the door. I unplugged it last night and went back to my old Polaris model. I talked with my DME company and they suggested I try the Resmed S9.

The ultimate problem with the System one is that tiny filter through which the entire inhalation air must travel through. The filter is probably only 1.5 - 2 inches wide by maybe an inch tall. Now maybe I am a deep breather and I need lots of air but the sound of the airflow through the machine when I inhale is similar to a hospital ventilator or perhaps a vacuum cleaner when you put the attachment hose on it. Alternating....no sound...heavy suctioning sound....no sound...heavy suctioning sound.

So for the S9 users, do you notice this type of sound patterns with your machine? Is the filter larger and does it create this suction sound?

Thanks,
New

[newarcher]

Edited to add that it isn't the noise level of the machine, it is the intermittent level of complete quiet and then whoooosh then quiet then whooosh. My wife started complaining about the machine snoring instead of me....then it began getting to me also.

New

[Beth M]

Oh, I'm so glad you're asking the question. I'm going to contact my DME as well to complain about that very thing! It's unbelievably loud! Someone once mentioned getting some "white noise" cd, but honestly, the cd would have to be blaring loud to cover the sound of the air whooshing.
Looking forward to the responses on this. Thanks!
Beth

[Rogue Uvula]

FWIW, the filters for the S9 are 1-3/8" X 2-1/8".

I am running mine at 7.0 - 10.4 cm (I expect the pressure level will effect the sound level).

I can say that as long as I turn off the machine before I remove the mask, it stays very quiet. The only time it gets loud enough to be a disturbance, IMHO, is if I remove the mask before I turn off the unit and the S9 tries to maintain pressure against an "open" mask.

[newarcher]

I was laying awake last night trying my best to breathe lightly so I didn't disturb my wife but would end up taking a huge breath in.....sounded like a wind turbine starting up! When my wife got up and plugged in my old machine so she could use it as anti-noise for the System One, I unplugged the wind turbine and went back to the Polaris with 20,000+ hours on it.

Great machine, the System one, but just unacceptably too loud.

Bose is supposed to be working with Respironics to quiet it but too little too late for me.

My fear is that this is the way all the CPAPs work now...my last CPAP purchase was 8 or 9 years ago. I hope they don't all work like this because it will effectively kill my ability to use it if my Polaris dies.

New

[newarcher]

Thanks Rogue Uvula.

So if I am reading you right, you don't notice any difference in sound from the filter area of the machine when inhaling vs exhaling?

I even thought that the double filter on the System One (white first, foam outer) might have been the problem so I tried it with just the white, just the foam, and neither.

I don't want to take delivery of an S9 if it is going to act the same as the System one.

Thanks,
New

[Rogue Uvula]

Just to clarify:
Newarcher has had trouble with noise from the Philips System One and is wondering if the S9 will be better, correct?
Beth has a S9 and is experiencing too much noise, correct?

If so, Beth - I suspect you have a defective unit. While what is too loud and noise levels are subjective; the S9 could not be characterized as "unbelievably loud".

[nosenabook]

I've been using an S9 for a couple of months, and have not noticed this. My husband hasn't either, which is more telling.
The filter is about that size, but as I understand it, the air is not going through the filter straight to your lungs, it pauses for compression.

[Beth M]

I'm sorry if I gave the wrong impression. No, I don't have an S9, but perhaps I should! I was thinking that's the one I should ask for. It is fully data capable, is it not? Unlike the System One. I do have a System One. I can barely sleep for the noise it makes.

[newarcher]

Right Uvula, I have the System One and am considering going to the S9. The System one isn't loud, its just that the sound it makes (much less than my Polaris I am getting rid of) is intermittent. When exhaling, no sound at all. When inhaling, vast difference. So I end up listening to myself breathe.

It sounds like a couple of the users here don't have the rushing wind noise when inhaling like the System One. I will give it a try and see.

Thanks,
New

[Rogue Uvula]

Thanks Rogue Uvula.

So if I am reading you right, you don't notice any difference in sound from the filter area of the machine when inhaling vs exhaling?

I even thought that the double filter on the System One (white first, foam outer) might have been the problem so I tried it with just the white, just the foam, and neither.

I don't want to take delivery of an S9 if it is going to act the same as the System one.

Thanks,
New

I just played with my system to check on this.
I never noticed sound from the intake - for me as the user, the sound at the mask masks the sound at the intake.
When I listened for the intake, I could hear it. There is a difference in the sound between exhaling and inhaling.

However, I started switching setting to CPAP with EPR off, etc. and things got decidedly more noisy than they were with my standard settings. So I think you might be better served to see if someone who has used both machines can respond to this question.

[OKCCowboy]

Just my $0.02 here but the S9 autoset is VERY quiet. I have been on it about a month and am more than pleased with the lack of noise.

I had an S8 for the last 5 years and when I got the new one, my partner said that he couldn't even here it running.

[newarcher]

I just did some testing of my own on the System One.

If I take BOTH of the filters out then the machine greatly quiets down but there is a difference. So clearly the sound being sucked through the filters is a big portion of the noise but not all of it. But clearly I can't use the machine without a filter.

I was doing my testing and it dawned on me.......Darth Vader.

I will give the S9 a shout and see what happens.

Thanks,
New

[Rogue Uvula]

Beth,
The S9 is fully data capable. If you can switch to a S9, I don't think you will have any regrets. After pretty thorough research, I came to the conclusion that the S9 was the best unit to get if insurance was paying for it and a DeVilbiss IntelliPAP AutoCPAP w/smartflex would be best if I had to buy it out of pocket.

Newarcher,
For the record, I am running one of the hypoallergenic filters. I don't know how it compares to the standard filter for noise.

One obvious countermeasure to noise at this port is to place a sound absorbent material (such as foam padding, a piece of carpet, or heavy blanket) behind it. Of course, leave a couple of inches clearance so the port has easy air to "breath".

If you have the standard hardwood nightstand under it and sheet rock behind it, the sound from the port will be bounced into the room very efficiently!

[Hospiceangel]

I have both machines.
IMHO the S9 is has practically no sound. I do notice it is quieter with the Climateline hose.
I have heard the noise you are referring to with the System one but I also thought it could be a function of sound echoing in the tubing. I don't have a hose cover so I couldn't tell you if that would help for sure, but I think it would muffle it.
I did notice on the S9 slight noise when I used the slimline hose while climateline hose was not working but again I don't have a hose cover so I don't know if that's where it was coming from for sure. It was nothing like the frustrating sound you are describing.
I can tell you that when I have the S9 running the only way I can hear it is if I put my hand in front of the exhaust valve on the mask. Then I can tell it's running.
Hope this helps,
Shar:)