noisy machine and not coping with Cpap

Ado · Post by **Ado** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:07 am

Hi all,

ive been on Cpap for just over one month now. very mixed results. probably four good nights....four different masks.....one very pregnant and annoyed partner trying to understand and get vital sleep. the machine is very noisy though im told its pretty new (its a loaner Resmed Autospirit)
so ive gone from sleeping separately from my woman because of snoring/apnea to sleeping apart because of the noise of the machine.
this is putting a lot of stress on both of us as we need sleep but also need our togetherness.

anyone here have any tips for making a CPAP machine more quiet? anyone use a different machine or found a machine that was exceptionally quiet?
i use a swift II mask which is pretty quiet, certainly much quiter than the other masks ive tried.
but the machine is driving me nuts? what about sound proofing? putting the machine in a box or drawer with the back cut out for the exhaust inlet?

i need help here. i live in hope that i can one day see some damned benefit from this thing on my face. surgery is an option for future but until then i need to get used to it.

please help, im at my wits end and very close to throwing in the towel and giving the machine back.

Ado

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:13 am

I am sorry, Ado, that things are not going well! It seems most everything about using CPAP is a frustration at first...except finally being able to breathe freely at night, that is. Guess we always have to remember that silver lining.

For some reason, I'm not finding much coming up on Search, but I did find this solution for a noisy machine, though it is somewhat more than a lot of us could manage in our houses.

viewtopic.php?p=115242#115242

Though I can't find a link for you right now, I know there has been discussion in the past about soundproofing CPAP machines. One thing I remember is placing a mousepad or thick towel undeaneath the machine. Another thing I remember is someone using an inexpensive styrofoam cooler as an insulator, just cutting a hole in it for the hose, having access to the machine through the lid. Other people, yes, have just tucked their CPAPs into a dresser drawer to muffle the sound, and a towel added to the cooler and drawer scenarios would probably lessen the sound even more.

So, yes, there are ways you can quiet that sucker down. I'm hoping someone with more access to the past threads will be able to pull up some links for you, but those are things you could try right now. I can understand your need to share the same bed with your partner, and I'm sure you've already both tried simple ear plugs, although I don't remember you mentioning that. There are ways to have togetherness and CPAP, but honestly the whole CPAP thing does require work and understanding on the part of both of you, 'cause there's just a lot of futzing around in the night, cussing in frustration, releasing excess air from either masks or users , and frankly a sense of humor is the best weapon (something hugely pregnant woman are sometimes short on by that point, which I can say having been one myself in the past).

Try some of these ideas, and hopefully you'll receive more soon. But please don't give up! You've got that baby coming soon that will want his daddy healthy and rested up for plenty of cuddling and rough housing.

Peggy

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:55 am

The Resmed Autospirit is a discontinued machine. That's how new it is. It is 2 genrations back.

http://www.resmed.com/en-us/products/se ... u=products

Resmed's newest genration machines (S8 II's, the auto would be the S8 II Vantage) are reportedly whisper quiet.

O.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:54 am

EAR PLUGS for noise reduction ... cheap and effective.

I use them all the time when working the lawn with my gas-powered string trimmer ... I seriously doubt any CPAP machine is louder than my string trimmer.

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:44 am

My wife was SUPER worried about the noise of the machine. I keep my RemStar Pro on the floor on my side of the bed and she has not said boo about it once in 3 months.

sleeplessinaz · Post by **sleeplessinaz** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:37 am

Hi ADO---I have a resmed 8 Elite--and it is VERY quiet!! I keep my machine on the floor on my side of the bed and my hubbie has not said anything about hearing it at all. So, I think you need to upgrade your machine!! Good Luck!!
Carrie

ww · Post by ww » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:22 pm

Dont laugh too hard, but when ear plugs didn't work, a trip to WalMart for a $10 box fan solved the problems for us. It circulates air nicely, makes enough noise that you can't hear the cpap machine or the dogs barking in the distance. Much better than a random noise generator and about 10% of the price.

p.s. Putting the machine in any enclosure should be well thought out since there must be a good air duct to the input air filter from outside the enclosure. I would not do it. Cutting a hole in the wall and putting it in another room is kinda far fetched too.

Ado · Post by **Ado** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:02 pm

Thanks guys for your replies and help on this. when i wrote my topic yesterday i was

i thought as much that the machine is an old model. im still yet to recieve the final perscription which will allow me to buy the latest machine which sounds like what i need.

my girlie is understanding but she needs sleep and cant wear ear plugs cause they hurt her ears. But we are trying our best.

Im going to rig up a styrofoam box with a hole cut out for the house and for the exhaust inlet at the back. im sure that will help a lot with the noise.
Might also wrap some felt over the house to help dampen the wooshing sound.

Found out last night that im having a boy so im super excited and very happy. just have to persevere i suppose and hope for the best.

if there are any more tips i would be most appreciative.

i'll let you know what conspires.

thank you for all your support.

Adrian

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:07 am

I like the idea of moving the machine to another room.
I could move mine to the closet.

Does anyone know if adding a 6' extension hose
effects the pressure settings?

Thanks!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:29 am

carbonman wrote:I like the idea of moving the machine to another room.
I could move mine to the closet.

Does anyone know if adding a 6' extension hose
effects the pressure settings?

Thanks!

Yes it does. You will need to increase pressure to make up difference in loss of pressure due to hose friction. It may also affect the machine recording sensor and provide incorrect data or make an APAP work incorrectly.

Since you are on CPAP (constant pressure), lengthing your hose should be ok so long as you compensate by increasing your pressure setting (assuming you are correctly titrated to begin with). To check treatment efficacy periodically you may need to temporarily go back to shorter hose while collecting data.

smj34 · Post by **smj34** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:21 am

I am still using a ResMed S7. I was recently in the hospital and the nurse thought my machine was not running because it is so quiet. When I go to replace, I am definitely going to go with the S8.

noisy machine and not coping with Cpap

noisy machine and not coping with Cpap

Hose extension

Re: Hose extension

ResMed S7 is quiet

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: new Airsense auto set 12/08/14. Cpap pressure is