Noise from breathing

[Just Starting]

I have no trouble with the mask but I am having trouble sleeping as I can hear the sound of my breathing exhale coming out the air intake valve on the machine. The sound is really quite loud. The supplier told me I have a strong exhale which is causing the noise from the back of the machine. Does anyone have any suggestions. Someone mentioned a bi-level machine any comments ideas. Many thanks

[FoxNewsFan]

If you list your equipment it would be much easier to help you.

Ed

[snipsnsnails]

What kind is it? I have a respironics PR1 Auto and some nights I hear my breath if I think about it. I've heard some use white noise generators. I would think just playing a little soft sleepy music or maybe one of those "wave" subliminal relax cds might give you something else to think of besides the sound of the CPAP machine running. In a real quiet environment anything can sound really loud and keep you up. Also a hose cover of some type might help.

I've noticed the past few mornings when I wake up I can't hear the machine running until I listen for it. It's a weird feeling to wake up and remember that you are supposed to be wearing a mask and panic cuz you can't hear the machine or feel the mask and then realize it's all in place and you are just getting used to it all.

[RachelM]

I hear breathing/machine noise upon falling asleep. Upon awakening, I can hardly hear either. I have wondered if my hearing becomes used to noise and blocks it out or maybe the (PR1) machine runs differently after it determines my breathing pattern?

[elena88]

I can hear it when my ear is touching the pillow if Im laying on my side, so I make a little pocket for my ear, then I dont hear it..

ocean sounds drowns it out, I play that on my iphone before I got to bed..

[jdm2857]

Some people use a fan to mask the CPAP sounds.

[DreamOn]

I use "ocean" and "rain" CD's, which I play on my combo clock/CD player, to mask any noises as I'm falling asleep. It may also help to position the machine lower than the bed if you can, so it's not so close to your head. Some people can hear radiated sound in the tubing also, so think about different configurations for that. I find the inhale noise of my AEIOMed nasal pillows much more irritating than any machine noise, but I suppose some machines are noisier than others. It also may depend on your machine settings (EPR or C-Flex/A-Flex on or off, pressure, etc.).

All that said, I think you do become more accustomed to the machine/mask sounds over time. It all sounds so "mechanical" at first. Try to think of it as "comforting" instead. The machine is there to help you.

[sunnyway]

I *always* wear foam earplugs, although after 3 months the noise doesn't bother me as much as it did originally. A snuggle hose cover helps, too. Some masks are louder than others. I have found that using aromatherapy makes it all more tolerable, too.