S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier... "noisy"

[Digeeedad]

I've been using the S9 autoset and H5i for a few weeks now and am wondering about the "noise" from the H5i. It sounds similar to water boiling and a fairly loud whooshing noise on inhalation and exhale. The noise is louder 2-3 feet away than that of my Swift LT nasal pillows. It at times is bothersome to my trying to sleep wife and me worrying about disturbing her. Is this normal? Seems as if the sound is caused by air flowing through the reservoir and over the water. My S8 Elite humidifier was most definitely much quieter. Have even considered using the S9 without the H5i.

[Krelvin]

What settings are you using?

I don't hear anything from my machine including the Humidifier. It is much more quiet than my previous M-Series machine by more than 1/2.

[Digeeedad]

Pressure setting of 14 CPAP or 12-18 auto.

[Krelvin]

No, the settings you are using for the Humidifier. I have mine on the lowest setting 60F or OFF.

[Digeeedad]

Either off or maybe 62. Currently 62, but have tried varying temperatures and that makes no difference in the noise level. Thought I'd check with users here rather than or before going to Apria for "help". If it's normal ok but if not, I will probably go out to Apria to see what the RT who gave me the machine says.

[knothead]

I've been using the S9 autoset and H5i for a few weeks now and am wondering about the "noise" from the H5i. It sounds similar to water boiling and a fairly loud whooshing noise on inhalation and exhale. The noise is louder 2-3 feet away than that of my Swift LT nasal pillows. It at times is bothersome to my trying to sleep wife and me worrying about disturbing her. Is this normal? Seems as if the sound is caused by air flowing through the reservoir and over the water. My S8 Elite humidifier was most definitely much quieter. Have even considered using the S9 without the H5i.

Sometimes when I fill my H5 to full I will get the boiling noise especially if some gets in the hose. The swooshing noise...? Mine does the same thing. Went and bought a 19 dollar white noise machine to fix that problem, sleep like a baby now...

[Pugsy]

Make sure you didn't overfill the water chamber.
If it is over full by just the air blowing over the water can sometimes blow some of the water into the hose end where it attaches to the humidifier and that gets real noisy.
Other than that idea I can't think of anything else for loud noise at the humidifier itself. I have done it myself.
If it is intermittent that might be a cause. If it is constant perhaps have the DME check it out...maybe a loose seal somewhere.

[Digeeedad]

Thanks for the reply.... full of near full water seems to be a culprit in increased noise. Haven't overfilled yet but definitely notice the increased noise near or at the full mark.

[Pugsy]

Your pressures are on the high side so greater chance of for the "wind" to cause the water to lap against the opening that goes to the hose. Might not be enough to make it to the hose (which gets really noisy and messy) but just enough to cause vibrations.
If you aren't using a full tank of water each night just back off a little more with the water line and see if that helps.
The same water level at pressures half of what you are using might not cause a problem at all.

Also..it's hard to judge for me to judge just where that max line is. I can't see it well from the top and from the side I can't see it well either.

[Digeeedad]

Thanks for the tips!

[Demerit]

It's the normal sound of the s9 motor, frequent complaint from those going form s8-s9. Lower the machine to below the mattress to lessen the sound.

[Malibu]

Ear plugs do wonders. Eliminates the whooshing noise.

[tortoisegirl]

You description sounds like what I hear with my machine... amplified Darth Vader type breathing, and even a whushing type noise when I hold my breath. I have investigated and found the following:

- the noise only occurs when I have the mask on, whether I am holding my breath or breathing (it changes pitch when I breathe); the blower without being hooked up to the hose & mask is silent
- the noise is the same with or without the humidifier, with a standard or heated hose, with several different types of masks (including nasal pillows & 1 FFM), and with different water levels
- the blower isn't defective (swapped it out at the DME)
- earplugs make it worse and my hubby doesn't report hearing it, so it is likely conductive, although it occurs even if the hose isn't touching anything (such as when standing up and testing it)

Its tough to fall asleep with that noise, especially it changing with breathing (I'd do better with a constant noise even if it was louder). However, it gets easier to deal with over time. Trying to not pay attention to it helps. When we sleep with the windows open I have an easier time falling asleep. Oddly enough I swear it didn't make this noise the first few weeks I had the machine (why I was insistent my DME do something, which turned out to be swapping out the blower). And I only decreased my pressure over those few weeks (I've been told more pressure = more noise). Two techs at my DME have said all machines make this noise and the S9 is the quietest. I think the white noise is likely the best solution. Best wishes.

[Digeeedad]

Tortisegirl..... interesting info. I swear my ResMed S8 Elite was quieter. I'll have to hook it back up and do a comparison, which really doesn't matter because I'm with the S9 for the long haul! lol Thanks!

[Pugsy]

Tortisegirl and Digeeedad..

I don't know if the breathing sounds you hear are what a lot of S9 users have complained about in the past.
We just used to call it the "bird call noise" because a lot of people compared it to a bird call or hoot owl.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=77077&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... ird+sounds

I have it with my S9 VPAP Adapt but it isn't quite as noticeable as it was with my S9 VPAP Auto.
But pressures used may be a factor. I am using less pressure with the Adapt than I was using with the VPAP Auto.
It wasn't horribly noticeable with the Auto until someone mentioned it and then I heard it all the time but I could make it vary in intensity by varying the force of my own exhale. Minimal force decreased the noised significantly in my case.
Hard to change normal breathing rhythm and maintain the change though.
I was only a minor annoyance though and I got to the point that I only noticed it when I was focusing on my breathing.
I have always had the "Darth Vader" noise though...that's conductive noise coming through the hose I suspect or maybe amplified a bit when the hose is laying on the mattress (I don't use a hose management system)...I hear it just as loud if I plug my ears with my fingers...that means it's "in my head"