Vent noise/leaks disturbing spouse

[Sesq]

I have been using CPAP for about 18 months. In the last few months my wife has complained that the machine is way too loud. It seems that there is a constant, noisy flow of air out of the vent holes, much more than previously. I replaced a mask and it was better for a bit, then the same complaints. I seem to remember the vent holes not having a constant stream of air when I first got my machine. Does the pressure need to be changed?

I loosened the straps (I had been getting some side leakage), and that lessened the pressure a bit, but didn't help enough. I moved to the guest room at that point. I have a busy schedule, so I'd like to avoid appointments (or at least make them efficient), can anyone help me figure this out?

If it matters, I have lost a bit of weight over the past 10 months (about 30-35 lbs or 15%). I use a Fisher Paykel over the nose mask, and I can't remember the cpap machine name, a basic one with a humidifier that I don't use since I hate rain outs and I don't get sore throats anymore.

I have researched on here from time to time and always found it helpful. I am still a bit of a noob when it comes to all the lingo and accessories. I was debating buying the padacheek anti-leak strap.

[BlackSpinner]

We need you to go to the user control panel and define what equipment you use and the pressure(s). And especially the masks.
Otherwise it is hard to help you.

[rested gal]

You're right, Blackspinner. It's easier to help people if we know exactly which machine and mask they are using.

The "User Control Panel" isn't available to guest posters. Sesq, if you register on this forum you could then list your equipment... like this:

[guest22]

The air stream from the vent will be noisy if it hit the pillow or ?.

[Sesq]

I'll check the gear when I get home.

Looking at pictures I know its a Respironic's M Series with the humidifier sidecar, but if its plus or pro, I am not sure. It has a little LCD display for a compliance code. I'll have to figure out what the pressure was set at. I have forgotten.

The mask is Fisher Paykel, over the nose. Not sure which one though. Looks like there are a few different models on their site.

The vent air stream is noisy with or without hitting the pillow.

Thanks for chiming in.

[LSAT]

The air running through the vent will be continuous as long as the CPAP is running. If your wife is bothered by the air noise...turn in the opposite direction like many of us do.

[Sesq]

Se

The air running through the vent will be continuous as long as the CPAP is running. If your wife is bothered by the air noise...turn in the opposite direction like many of us do.

Hmm, I generally do sleep on my side facing away. I guess the odd part is that for a year or so it was fine, then it wasn't.

[BlackSpinner]

Se

The air running through the vent will be continuous as long as the CPAP is running. If your wife is bothered by the air noise...turn in the opposite direction like many of us do.

Hmm, I generally do sleep on my side facing away. I guess the odd part is that for a year or so it was fine, then it wasn't.

Things change. Have you had a new mask? Maybe you should try some different masks. I know my Quatro and my hybrid sound quite different.

[Shellie_p]

Not only do you need to see if anything with your mask or machine has changed but has anything with HER changed? I know when I quit smoking my hearing IMPROVED dramaticly. I knew i had a fluid in the ear problem but I never dreamed quiting smoking would help that since I had ear troubles as a kid too. But It did.

Also as I get older i sleep much lighter then I used to. Years ago my kids joked about me sleeping through them yelling. But now if the cat sneezes in the room It can wake me. lol

And I can't say for sure. But the newer machines just seem so much quieter then the older ones. How old is your machine? if its over 5 years might be time to look for a change.

[Sesq]

Ok - I was wrong on the mask. Its Respronics comfortgel Blue. I have had that mask for at least two iterations, although my very first mask was its predecessor. I was first diagnosed in 2009, so the machine is relatively new, although it lacks many of the bells and whistles that many here use.

I forgot to check the pressure last night, so I'll have to do it tonight. I was checking the machine during put the kids to bed time, and got distracted.

In terms of my situation, I am 39 years old, wife, two kids (5&2). At diagnosis I weighed about 250. I am now 218 lbs (6 feet tall). I started weight loss in August 2010, although I had a major burst at the begining of the year, which is around the time when my wife started to voice her complaints. To be honest with you I mostly use cpap to control my snoring. I have never really felt that my apnea was impacting my day time alertness, although I was often fatigued (still am, should sleep more, have small kids, still overweight, but per BMI no longer obese). When I was diagnosed, I was classified as having moderate apnea, and I had a series of short interuptions in my sleep. I have forgotten the number, I think it was something like 50 interuptions, it was really surprising. Since I hadn't been feeling the impact of apnea, there was never a point where I felt like the fog lifted that many describe. The first couple weeks was hell as I had a hard time with the gear. It is no problem now, other than periodic leaks, and now this level of noise.

My wife (37) has gotten better with exercise as I have been on my lifestyle change. She was never overwieght let alone obese, but she has trimmed up a bit more as yoga is making her a little stronger. The only other change for her is that my son now sleeps better, so we are not routinely being awoken by him (he was lousy about sleep for over a year). So I suppose it may be since she is a little better rested, perhaps the noise coupled with being merely tired vs totally spent is making her more sensitive.

Are there other masks or styles that have quieter reputations?

[cflame1]

is it maybe that due to your weightloss your mask isn't keeping it's seal as well? Maybe your face shape has changed somewhat?

[archangle]

Some people have reported that the noise is worse when they use the "FLEX" function. I don't know if it's really worse, of if it's more annoying because it varies. A longer hose and relocating the machine further away or behind something might help. Leaving the humidifier attached may may the machine less noisy.

There's this gadget for M series machines that's supposed to make it quieter. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... r-cap.html

This might help, too. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/In-lin ... bipap.html#

If you have any leaks around the mask, that will also be noisy. As will mouth leaks.

Sometimes, my mask vents get noisy and cleaning them can help.

Some people have reported that running a fan somewhere in the room can help by generating some white noise.

[Sesq]

Thanks for the additional comments.

The noise problem is at the mask not the machine. I have always used a fan or a white noise machine when I sleep. But I may buy the silencer and filters anyways since they are plenty cheap.

My thinking at this point is either a new mask (could go along with weight loss impacting fit) and/or should the pressure be changed. My thinking on the latter is if weight gain contributes to apnea I would think weight loss would potentially lessen the need. Perhaps if there is excess pressure it increases the velocity of the air exiting the vents. I'll also consider turning off the c-flex thing, not something I have ever needed. My kids could have changed the settings anyways if they were hitting the buttons (which I try to discourage).

[archangle]

I've wondered if it wouldn't be possible to wrap some sort of cloth around the vent area of the mask to quiet the sound. Maybe something like a loose fitting ace bandage or gauze. Be sure you don't restrict the airflow, but perhaps you could diffuse the air and noise.

Someone should make a mask where the exhaust vent connects to a hose and you can route the exhaust hose back along the air hose and vent the air and noise somewhere more convenient. Should help with a lot of spouse CPAP problems.

[Sesq]

New info.

I sent my wife this link and she gave more details:

Don't know if it helps, but the noise is a very loud rush of air. Its different than just the normal cpap noise and it doesn't happen until you fall asleep. Its the normal sound, you fall asleep, get the loud rushing sound, I tap you, you wake up, it goes back to the normal sound til you fall asleep again. Seems like some nice people.

This makes me think its maybe mouth breathing.

EDIT: Here is her response when I asked her if its mouth breathing. Does anyone draw any clues from this?

I don't think its your mouth though can't say for sure since you're normally turned away from me. I think its the vent or a leak somewhere, though not sure why it would be different when you fall asleep. Its definately a different noise and it hasn't always been there so I don't think I'm just more sensitive to it. I've been a light sleeper since I was pregnant with Gwen. Similar pattern. Just reminds me of when you snore. I can tell when you fall asleep because as soon as you do that's when the snoring starts and stops if I tap you. Maybe later you can put it on and open your mouth and I can tell you if that's the noise it makes. The other thing is that when you got the replacement mask it was okay for the first couple of weeks then it started up again. Is it possible that the mask/vents need to be cleaned? I think someone suggested that? Who knows.