LOUD SWIFT FX MASK

[don56]

I'm trying out a Swift FX to see if I like it. My normal mask is a Resmed Softgel nasal mask. It is a lot louder than the softgel. Are nasal pillows generally louder than nasal masks? If it wasn't for the noise I think I would buy one. Thanks for your feedback.

Don

[jilliansue]

Hi! I am not sure if nasal pillows masks are louder or not. I use the Swift FX and I have found that when there is air leakage around the pillows, there is noise, so it is possible that your pillows aren't sealing properly, maybe trying a different size of pillow would help, or making sure the slant that the two pillows form together is going the way that best fits your nose.

Good luck!
Jill

[Pugsy]

I have never used any over the nose mask like the soft gel. Always used nasal pillows. Started with Swift LT, now use the Swift FX since last summer. I find it very quiet, especially compared to the LT. Husband actually woke me up once telling me to put on the mask and turn on machine and I was wearing the FX and the machine was on. He says he can't hear anything now.

What pressure do you use? Is the noise coming from the vent or is the air bouncing of bedding? Is it possible there is poor fit or leak as someone suggested. I have experimented with many nasal pillow masks and it is by far the quietest of all of them.
My minimum pressure is 10cm, it does go higher.

[Janknitz]

Nasal pillows ARE noisier in general than other masks because:
1. They are smaller, and the outflow vent has a more concentrated blast of air coming out of the mask (less surface area to vent out from).
2. The FX in particular has a problem because the vent holes are angled down at a 45 degree angle. This almost guarantees that the vent flow will hit something solid like you or your bedding and make noise in doing so. I'd like to shoot the ResMed engineer who thought that was a GOOD idea!
3. The short hose connected to a nasal pillow mask gives additional surface area for conducting airflow sound.

Some tips:
1. Hang the hose over your head by draping it over the headboard or using some sort of hose hanger. This does two things--it cuts down on the conducted noise (i.e. if your hose is lying on your pillow), AND it points the vent holes UP and OUT so the airflow is less likely to be hitting a solid object.
2. A hose cover on the short hose helps a little.

[don56]

My pressure is 10 and I have a hose hanger system. I'm using the medium pillows but will try anther size tonight. I like how light the FX is. Thanks

[Janknitz]

I have to say even with those suggestions it's kind of loud in a Darth Vaderish kind of way. I've been using the Quattro for a while now, and sometimes that's so silent I have to put my hand up to make sure it's on.

[greg-g]

You can stop noise from the vent holes by taping a small very porous filter over the holes.
You must be very careful not to block the holes.
Do a search for "Air Diffuser"

[Slartybartfast]

Or just get an Opus 360 and save yourself about $20. I have the Swift FX and Opus and much prefer the opus. It's quiet and the pillows don't degrade at all as far as I can tell. Going on 7 months now with the original pillows and headgear.

[don56]

I will try to find an Opus 360 . I'm a little cautious about diffusing the vents.

[dae3dae3]

I've always found my Swift FX to be very quiet as long as it is not leaking. It is the quietest one I've had so far.

[robysue]

My Swift FX is either is virtually silent, sounds like a Darth Vader mask, or sounds like a jet plane.

All depends on where the hose, bed pillow, and covers are: When I've got the hose, pillow, and covers in just the right spots, there's virtually no noise at all.

But if too much of the hose is contacting my pillow, the Darth Vader noises of my own breathing are conducted through the hose, to the pillow, and into my head through my skull. It can drive me bananas. And sometimes it's really difficult to get the hose in a place where my head is still comfortable.

And if the covers are too close to the exhaust vent, the jet stream coming out of that vent bounces off those covers and sounds like a jet plane. And feels like a mini-hurricane blowing into my face as well, which causes problems with both dry eyes and chapped lips. Rearranging the hose and covers is not always easy, but is necessary to protect my eyes and lips.

I know that hanging the hose would likely help both problems. But I prefer to sleep with my head completely under the covers and I don't like the hose going up over my eyes or over my ear at all. I sleep on my side and I really like cuddling the hose under my upper arm as if it were a giant stuffed toy snake. Hence the name Kaa for my equipment.

[xenablue]

When everything is where it should be and no leaks occurring - my Swift FX is silent. Noise happens if the vent is near or touching anything and/or the nasal pillows aren't seated perfectly - and it can be loud swooshing sounds.

Cheers,
xena

[don56]

Thanks for all the feedback. Finding the right mask is truly the hardest thing in cpap therapy.

Don

[PtownKev]

I agree about finding the right mask being the tough part--just got my third mask in a month here and I'm hoping that will be the right one for me. I started out using the Swift FX and although it's very lightweight and comfortable, I could never get it to fit quite right, even with endless adjustments, and my leak data was all over the map.

I hadn't thought that the FX was particularly loud until I switched to the RedMed Mirage Micro nasal mask--wow, what a difference. The Micro is so quiet, I can't even tell that the machine is on. Part of the reason is that the exhaust holes are much better designed than on the FX (in my opinion). As noted by others, the FX concentrates the exhaust downward at a 45 degree angle, making for a very forceful column of air that either blows right on my arms, or, if I cover my arm, right onto the sheets/blanket. The constant whoosh of air out of the vents and against the linens is very loud. The FX also seems to cause sounds to be transmitted through the hose on every inhalation and exhalation (what others refer to as the "Darth Vader" effect). And of course, if you have leaks, the air is being pushed out through a very small opening in the nasal pillow so that causes a lot of noise, not to mention a lot of air blowing on your face every time the seal gets loose.

I actually like the Micro a lot even though the mask and headgear are a lot bulkier than the nasal pillow models. Unfortunately, the nasal mask is digging into the sides of my nose causing painful sores. I might eventually get used to it but I can't get comfortable with the mask pressing on the sore spots right now.

Today I received the ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow mask. It has the advantages of the nasal pillow design but has a slightly more rigid and (hopefully) secure headgear. With luck, this will be the solution for me to be able to get the comfort of the lightweight nasal pillow mask with more security than the FX.

Good luck finding the mask that works for you. Let us know how it goes and what you settle on!

[Pugsy]

Today I received the ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow mask. It has the advantages of the nasal pillow design but has a slightly more rigid and (hopefully) secure headgear. With luck, this will be the solution for me to be able to get the comfort of the lightweight nasal pillow mask with more security than the FX.

It may be more to your liking. The pillow angle is more adjustable and headgear might be a bit more stable. I used it till I got the Swift FX last summer. I thought the headgear was maybe a little more stable but the FX hasn't been hugely unstable and I like the less on my face stuff. So I prefer the FX but the LT was primary mask for over a year. Pros and cons to all of them it seems like.
If you do end up using LT as primary either fix some home made fleece side strap covers or get pair from Padacheeks. The thin little fleece that comes with it won't eliminate marks on cheeks if you end up with cheek against the bed pillow. Besides the added fleece is just more comfortable and I think adds a little help in stability of mask.