Respironics M-Series exhale noise

[Yrrab]

I recently acquired the basic M-Series model, and I don't like the noise it makes. The normal running noise isn't too bad, and I could deal with that if that was all it made. But I noticed from the outset that when exhaling, the machine makes a distinct low/mid frequency moaning/whining/humming noise. When the ramp starts at 4, it's not there. But when the pressure gets to about 6, it comes with a vengeance. My final pressure is set at 9.

I'm somewhat sensitive to noises at night, and it's difficult to get to sleep with this noise. If I can manage to get to sleep before it starts up, it will wake me up later in the night. The mask doesn't seem to matter. The noise is there using an Activa or Swift 2. I finally have stopped using the machine the last couple of days, and sleeping in another room so my wife can sleep undisturbed.

None of my friends/colleagues who use CPAP have ever complained about their machines making undue noise. And when browsing these forums, I can see many people use the M-series. Surely this isn't a feature of that model? I want to be sure that this noise isn't expected before hassling with the DME company to get it replaced.

Thanks,
Barry

[rested gal]

Some of it is luck of the draw as to how much (and what kind) of sound any of these machines make. However, both M series machines that I've used are definitely more noisy than any of the older Respironics machines I've used.

You might want to see if your DME (home health care provider) will see if they can find you the older "pre-M" model.

You might want to try to make a soundproof box for your machine to sit in. Just be sure it can get air.

Here are some ideas:

cpap in a file cabinet drawer by oldgearhead:

Nov 14, 2006 subject: What do you think of this?
viewtopic.php?t=15108


placing cpap in another room by becktrev:

Sep 22, 2006 subject: SilverLining Software
viewtopic.php?t=13738


building a soundproof box:

Jul 03 2004 subject: Question about noise reduction
http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/message-b ... php?t=3203

The original post that started the topic in that last link seems to be missing. As best I can remember, the topic was started by a woman asking about how to make a sound proof box to muffle the sound of the cpap when she and her husband were sleeping in their RV.

[coldnose]

Try turning C-Flex (or A-Flex) off, or at least change the setting. This might help. With C-Flex on, the blower has to power up and down with your breathing and some machines do make a winning sound as they come back to pressure. Mine does this but I've gotten so used to it I don't notice it unless I listen for it.

Good Luck!

---gary

[Wulfman]

You didn't say what your Flex settings were set to, but at your relatively low pressure, I'd skip the Ramp and just let it go at your prescribed pressure.
Keep the machine below ear level (if you can).
If you have some old (large) mouse pads, you could try setting it on them to dampen some of the sound. Depending where it's setting or how it's positioned, there may be some nearby objects that could be affecting the acoustics and enhancing the sounds.

Is/are the filter(s) in place?

Den

[Yrrab]

I only have the base model. I don't have any of the C-Flex or auto settings.

I've put pads under it, checked the filter, and have it below bed level.

I just played around with it some more. When exhaling normally, the blower or motor inside the unit whines. During the night when everything else is quiet, it is a loud and obnoxious noise. If I exhale forcefully, the noise isn't generated, but it's not a breathing level that I can maintain.

Can I assume that the M-series machines that you folks are using maintain a constant noise level during inhale and exhale (given that that noise may be substantial)?

For as much as the DME company charged my insurance, the machine is unacceptable.
I'm going to complain to them and see about getting it replaced. But they've already gotten their money, so I don't expect that they will be very helpful.

Barry

[Perchancetodream]

My least favorite part of my machine (other than the occasional loss of data) is the noise it makes on inhale and exhale. It sounds like Darth Vadar is sleeping in my drawer.

Today I finally cut down a Styrofoam cooler to contain it on the bottom shelf of my night stand. That and the 1/2 inch thick rubber pad under it may deaden some of the noise.

Susan

[GumbyCT]

MY glorious 500M is loud - I have yet to figure out exactly how to muffle it. It is on the floor, moved it farther away when I got a 10ft. hose then cover it w/BIG pillow - all with NO help.

I'd be curious if the Styrofoam cooler helped at all.

I may be looking at building it a room all for itself. Hard to imagine these things are for sleeping with eh?

[wabmorgan]

The mask doesn't seem to matter. The noise is there using an Activa or Swift 2.

Your mask may have more to do with this then your think. I can't speak for the Swift 2, but the Activa and Swift 1 are nosiey.

You might try maybe the F&P 431 or 432 full face masks. Both are really quite!!!!

[TossinNTurnin]

The mask doesn't seem to matter. The noise is there using an Activa or Swift 2.

Your mask may have more to do with this then your think. I can't speak for the Swift 2, but the Activa and Swift 1 are nosiey.

You might try maybe the F&P 431 or 432 full face masks. Both are really quite!!!!

[Auntie_Rose]

Could something be wrong with your machine? I have only had mine for 1 month but my husband is amazed at how quiet it is. Now granted we are used to an air purifier in the room so it is just like white noise. Last week when I was sharing a hotel room with my sister- she made a comment about how quiet she thought it was. I think that we have the same machines.

[chrislanou]

Yep, I am having the same issue. I have been happily using a Respironics Remstar plus for 5 years. Just pure white noise. When I found out my insurance would pay for a new machine, I jumped at the chance to get a smaller CPAP for ease when traveling.

I got the very basic Respironics M series model (no c-flex or anything). It makes a whining noise while exhaling, almost like the machine is exerting against the additional pressure. It's really annoying, to the point that I switched back to the old machine.

Today, I tried putting it on the carpeted floor under the bed. It helped quite a bit. I also put it in the humidifier housing, even though I don't use humidity. That also seemed to knock down the noise a little too.

So now I am trying to decide if I should stick with the M series and try to minimize its noise signature, or go back to my DME and make a case for something else.

Thanks to this forum though, at least I don't have to wonder if I just got a bad unit. It sounds like they all act like this, but some folks are just more sensitive to it. Thanks for the info folks!

[BigGayBert]

I think it may be luck of the draw with these machines. Many get loud ones, and many people, like lucky me, get very quiet ones. My M-Series BiPAP Auto is noticeably quieter than my old Remstar Pro w/CFlex. And my backup BiPAP, the Respironics Duet, sounds like a lawn mower engine.

I think that it's interesting that people with the base model M-series seem to be having more problems with their machines than others. I wonder if it could have anything to do with the fact that the base model retails at Cpap.com for $229, while the BiPAP Auto fetches $1,225???

P.S. The BiPAP Auto is worth every penny.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, bipap, cpap.com, auto

[Perchancetodream]

Bert, I use the same machine as you do, and the noise is noticeable. I finally drilled some holes in the bottom of the nightstand drawer and now keep it in there at night. My husband, on the other hand, uses the bare bones Puritan Bennet Goodknight 420G which is totally silent. Go figure....

Susan

[GumbyCT]

The bipap 700M does seem much more quieter than the auto 500M. It could be the blower motor used in the bipap is not running near its upper limit like the others. JMMO

[gasp]

[quote="Yrrab"]I recently acquired the basic M-Series model, and I don't like the noise it makes. The normal running noise isn't too bad, and I could deal with that if that was all it made. But I noticed from the outset that when exhaling, the machine makes a distinct low/mid frequency moaning/whining/humming noise. When the ramp starts at 4, it's not there. But when the pressure gets to about 6, it comes with a vengeance. My final pressure is set at 9.

I'm somewhat sensitive to noises at night, and it's difficult to get to sleep with this noise. If I can manage to get to sleep before it starts up, it will wake me up later in the night. The mask doesn't seem to matter. The noise is there using an Activa or Swift 2. I finally have stopped using the machine the last couple of days, and sleeping in another room so my wife can sleep undisturbed.

None of my friends/colleagues who use CPAP have ever complained about their machines making undue noise. And when browsing these forums, I can see many people use the M-series. Surely this isn't a feature of that model? I want to be sure that this noise isn't expected before hassling with the DME company to get it replaced.

Thanks,
Barry