Snoring vs CPAP noise?

[Stinkielee]

My snoring is destroying my relationship! I am 63, non-smoker, occasional wine drinker, physically fit and apparently snore like a freight train. After 6 years with this man who is unable to sleep with this, we have tried everything. Earplugs, white noise, all of the sleep aids on the market, a $300 Sotradecol injection, a $400 custom dental device, a $4000 Pillar Procedure with Nasal Turbinate Coblation (did not work AT ALL). At this point, the only way we can share a bed is if he takes Ambien, and this is not acceptable. The expensive ENT did tell me that I had a deviated septum which could possibly be the culprit, so in my pursuit to have my insurance cover that procedure, I was required to have a sleep study. As it turned out, a CPAP at a pressure of 6.0 may be in my future first. I know from my titration study that the device stops my snoring, but will I just be trading one noise for another in the bedroom? I have been researching, but does anyone have suggestions for a really silent machine?

[aevans410]

Almost all of the new machines out there are very quiet, however I have the Resmed S9. My wife can only hear me breathing through my mask.

[chunkyfrog]

Some machines are noisier that others; specifically older machines, cheaper machines, and used machines.
Mine is one of the quietest.
Placement of the machine is important if your hearing is still good;
Several inches below the top of the mattress allows the bedding to block direct sound transfer.
Running a small fan nearby is often all that's needed.
Some folks cover the hose with a hose cozy--at least it makes the hose cuddly and reduces water in hose and mask.
Also, remember that a dirty filter makes the machine work harder and noisier.
Monthly filter changes may be needed. (YMMV)

[Conrad]

My machine is VERY quiet. I was surprised. My wife can't even hear it running and it stopped my snoring completely.

[Pugsy]

My husband used to poke me in the ribs to wake me up and tell me to put my mask on and turn the machine on......only thing was...I already had it on. These machines are pretty darn quiet. Now he is trained to just put his hand close to my face and feel the air being vented instead of waking me up when he wakes up and can't hear anything.

If a person happens to be particularly sensitive to the machine sounds (which are very minimal) then using some sort of white noise like a fan and/or putting the machine a little lower and away from the mattress is usually all that is needed.

[KEQ5]

Fans are good as white noise because the sound is completely random and there's no pattern for the mind to lock on to. Some of the el-cheapo white noise boxes on the market use pre-recorded white noise, which loops and repeats.

Even though my S9 Autoset is near silent, I still run a fan in the bedroom. It drowns out the traffic / neighbors and keeps the air flowing.

[Stinkielee]

Thank you everyone for your quick replies! I expect to hear from the company who will provide the CPAP today, and I want to be armed with information. I don't know what to expect as far as choices, but at least it sounds like I can't go too wrong with the newer machines and good advice from this panel! I also hope that I can get something that is travel-size, since we go out of town at least once a month.

[msradar65]

Mine is very quiet. I can only hear a little bit of air noise through the mask. Other than that my machine is silent. Its sooo quiet my daughter comes in to check to make sure I AM breathing!

[Pugsy]

If you haven't read this you might want to.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

[FastFission]

My machine is very quiet. Just a very faint whine as I breathe. My snoring prior to getting into CPAP was loud enough that my wife kept earplugs by the bed for bad nights. She's very happy now, as the snoring is gone (if I tried to quit the silly thing, she might duct tape it to my face).

It is a bit of an adjustment, but I think definitely worth it.

[Randyp1234]

Many others have already responded but let me tell you about my/our experience. My wife moved into the spare bedroom many years ago and even down the hall I sometimes kept her awake. Last fall I finally did a sleep study and got a machine the first of December. A month ago today we were able to cram ourselves in a little cruise ship cabin and we both slept like babies for a week. I do use a white noise machine to mask the "Darth Vader" like noise of the machine but it's nice to be able to take vacations without having to make sure there's a sleeper sofa wherever we're staying

Randy

[cherylgrrl]

My machine is silent. My husband is VERY thankful I got the treatment for my sleep apnea I needed, and his being able to sleep now in a snore-free room is an extra benefit! I had sinus surgery for deviated septum, and it provided no benefit. Surgery is a big deal, and for little payoff. The machine is the real deal, it treats the apnea completely and permanently. (As long as you use it!)

[archangle]

Welcome.

There's a really good chance CPAP will enormously improve your noise situation. As well as your health and life in general.

You've very lucky to get here before you get robbed by a DME (CPAP salesman). Read the blog Pugsy suggested, and be SURE you get a good CPAP machine. Many DMEs will try to rip you off for a machine that makes it much more difficult to manage your treatment.

If at all possible, try CPAP before the surgery. If CPAP isn't the cure, you simply turn it off, and you have no long term effects. You can always try the deviated septum surgery later.

BTW, if you need CPAP, you'll probably need it even if you get the deviated septum surgery.

[JDS74]

Thank you everyone for your quick replies! I expect to hear from the company who will provide the CPAP today, and I want to be armed with information. I don't know what to expect as far as choices, but at least it sounds like I can't go too wrong with the newer machines and good advice from this panel! I also hope that I can get something that is travel-size, since we go out of town at least once a month.

Absolutely, positively get a machine that is fully data capable. Don't let the DME sell you one that reports compliance only.
If you have a question about a particular machine, there will be someone on this message board who will have one and will know for sure. Please just ask.

[Slartybartfast]

If you're snoring, you're not breathing as freely as you could be. The snoring is an indication that your airway is almost closed. A little more closed and you will begin having obstructive apneas. It's likely when/if you give a CPAP a try you will be pleasantly surprised that, not only will your snoring cease, but you will sleep more soundly and awake more rested than you did before, because it takes some effort to inhale through a partially collapsed airway.

I was quite a snorer and slept downstairs until it was discovered that I had severe sleep apnea. As soon as I got my machine, the wife insisted I crawl back in bed with her, and we both sleep wonderfully. However, now she's begun snoring, so it might be time for his-'n-hers. Re: the noise, the machines are virtually silent. You have to be listening for them to hear anything. And by keeping the machine on a soft towel on a low stand next to the bed you can make it absolutely silent.

For my money, the DeVilbiss Intellipap, at half the cost of my ResMed S9 Autoset, the quietest machine on the market, is indistinguishable in terms of noise.

Pleasant dreams.