Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

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D.H.
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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by D.H. » Thu Oct 24, 2019 8:28 am

The noise that a given unit makes depends on a lot of factors. If you put it in an open drawer, for instance, it might echo. Also, your exact pressure setting has an effect. While, a higher setting would make a "louder" noise, a particular setting might have pitch that you might find annoying. Also, whether you put it on marble surface, a wooden surface, or a towel will also make a difference. The mask that you use, of course, will make a big difference!

DreamStation machines tend to be noisier when the humidifier is not attached. If you don't use the humidifier, you might want to attach it and just make sure it is turned off.

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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by pixelyzed » Tue Oct 29, 2019 12:46 pm

I just received a replacement Dreamstation machine from Canadian CPAP Supplies today. Awesome customer service by them!

I had been sleeping with my old System One for a few days after sending them back my original Dreamstation and it was a reilef to go back to almost silent operation...

I'll see tonight with the new Dreamstation but, after a quick test eariler, it seems to be just as noisy as the first Dreamstation unit I got so I'm very disappointed about that. I though 10 years of improvements between models would mean we didn't go backwards on noise but it seems Philips Respironics failed miserably in this regard with the Dreamstation. I much prefer the Dreamstation in every other regard (breathing comfort, heated tube, machine operation and stats, looks, etc.)

I'm just glad I didn't buy it from my original provider from 10 years ago which sells the Dreamstation for nearly 3 times the price of Amazon or direct from Canadian CPAP Supplies. I don't have insurance so this is significant for me.

Not sure what I'll do now. I will probably try moving it lower under my night stand and see if that helps the noise.

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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by pixelyzed » Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:59 am

I know this is an old thread and may not be as relevant now with the recall, but I wanted to post here again for those who are as sensitive to noise as I am and would need to replace a Dreamstation 1.

FWIW, after my last post here in 2019, I simply went back to my old System One and was planning to replace it with something else early next year. But the recall changed things so I recently ordered a ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset and had my first night with it last night. I'm happy to report that the AirSense 10 is VERY quiet. Even more so than my System One who was really starting to show its age and was not so silent anymore.

The therapy quality also seems to be way superior even to the DS1. I had a rough night last night mostly because to mask issues (testing new mask and issues with old one) and, stress unrelated to CPAP and other small stuff and even with a lot of waking up, I feel very good today. But the Airsense is awesome. I pay out of pocket so I really hoped I wouldn't be disappointed like with the DS1 and its noise issues. I'm very happy with it.

Hope this may help someone!

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D.H.
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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by D.H. » Tue Oct 26, 2021 6:22 pm

D.H. wrote:
Thu Oct 24, 2019 8:28 am
The noise that a given unit makes depends on a lot of factors. If you put it in an open drawer, for instance, it might echo. Also, your exact pressure setting has an effect. While, a higher setting would make a "louder" noise, a particular setting might have pitch that you might find annoying. Also, whether you put it on marble surface, a wooden surface, or a towel will also make a difference. The mask that you use, of course, will make a big difference!

DreamStation machines tend to be noisier when the humidifier is not attached. If you don't use the humidifier, you might want to attach it and just make sure it is turned off.
I posted the above back in 2019. That was before the recall (and before the pandemic).

Note that my DreamStation1 was very quiet (when the humidifier was attached). My DreamStation2 arrived recently and is even quieter (it cannot be used without the humidifier attached).

If exhalation relief is enabled that can increase the perceived noise (though probably not the decibel level).

Also, as a machine gets older, wear and tear can also affect the noise level.

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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by pixelyzed » Wed Oct 27, 2021 9:46 am

D.H. wrote:
Tue Oct 26, 2021 6:22 pm
I posted the above back in 2019. That was before the recall (and before the pandemic).

Note that my DreamStation1 was very quiet (when the humidifier was attached). My DreamStation2 arrived recently and is even quieter (it cannot be used without the humidifier attached).

If exhalation relief is enabled that can increase the perceived noise (though probably not the decibel level).

Also, as a machine gets older, wear and tear can also affect the noise level.
FWIW, with my Dreamstation 1 in 2019, the presence or absence of the humidifier or how full it was changed little in the noise level of both units I got (original and replacement) which was more the motor whine than anything related to airflow through the machine. Putting it on a small folded towel or whatever also had minimal effect. Removing the fine filter didn't help either (which was one of the things that were recommended by some). That is why I then went back to my much older but near completely silent System One and kept using that up to now. Also, all these machines sit in the same spot on my night stand which also has been the same for years.

Very happy for those who bought DS 2s or got them as a post recall replacement that it's quieter than the DS 1. I'm probably more sensitive to noise than the average person but those 2 DS 1 units bothered even my wife greatly. She never heard the System One in all those years nor my new AirSense 10 now.

For myself, after seeing what the DS 2 looked like (design-wise it's a major step back from the DS 1 IMO regardless of the rest and, other than the noise, I loved the DS 1) and, after my confidence in Philips evaporated with the recall and their whole handling of that situation, I had made up my mind that I would not be using either a repaired DS 1 or DS 2 replacement from Philips and would move to Resmed. I decided on the AirSense 10 because of its reputation of quietness and reliability. I do not regret it.

I had my second night with it last night with no mask issues this time and the AirSense 10 is even quieter than my System One was in its prime. So I'm happy if frustrated that I wasted good money on that DS 1 in 2019 that I never could use...

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D.H.
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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by D.H. » Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:21 pm

Yes, I agree that I would not have gotten a DS2 if the choice were mine. However, they replaced a six year old machine with a new one for free. It seems to be a good machine.

The drawbacks over the DS1 are (1) lack of OSCAR compatibility, (2) absence of a swivel, (3) harder to see display, (4) the humidifier is more awkard to fill, (5) the clips that hold on the tank lid look quite flimsy, and (6) not possible to use the machine without the humidifier attached.

The pluses are (1) the safety issue is resolved; hopefully, (2) the unit is slightly smaller and lighter when humidifier is included, (3) the transformer is smaller and lighter, (4) the unit is quieter, and (5) the hose attaches to the front of the machine making a mishap less likely.

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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by pixelyzed » Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:48 pm

I really hope it gives you good treatment!

I have not heard from Philips yet on a replacement or repair myself and the System One felt less and less effective (which is not surprising after 11+ years and 25000+ hours on the motor ;) That machine has done its job!

So I took matters into my own hand before the System One breaks down and stops working completely and my only immediate option was to go back to a noisy DS 1 that is probably still off gassing VOCs... I would have probably moved faster if I hadn't spent that money on the DS 1 in 2019. I'm paying for this stuff out of pocket so have to watch my spending. Good luck with your therapy!

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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by D.H. » Wed Oct 27, 2021 6:29 pm

It's funny how we're always told that medical care is free (at the point of delivery) in Canada, but yet Canadians seem to have to dish out for CPAP machines.

Most US health plans cover it, subject to co-payments and deductibles.

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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by pixelyzed » Wed Oct 27, 2021 9:22 pm

Oh I'm sure many companies' plans pay for them in Canada too but I've been an freelancer since 2008, a year before I was diagnosed with sleep APNEA and entrepreneur since 2014 and I have not taken private insurance for this kind of stuff.

Doctor visits, eye exams as I'm going to have in November, my original sleep studies and doctor appointments before and after the sleep study and titration for sleep APNEA were all free to me so there's that ;)

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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by tiggy » Fri Oct 29, 2021 3:49 pm

Because I used to have a (relatively) noisy DreamStation (I now have a ResMed AirSense 10 that is VERY quiet), we long ago bought a handy-dandy little white noise generator. I put it on the floor close to the head of the bed and, presto-chango, what noise? It covered the noise from the DreamStation and although I doubt I'd need it for the ResMed, we've become so used to it (it helps cover the occasional car alarm, the dog next door, etc., etc.) that it has become a fixture in the bedroom. We even take it when we travel now.

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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by zonker » Fri Oct 29, 2021 4:05 pm

tiggy wrote:
Fri Oct 29, 2021 3:49 pm
Because I used to have a (relatively) noisy DreamStation (I now have a ResMed AirSense 10 that is VERY quiet), we long ago bought a handy-dandy little white noise generator. I put it on the floor close to the head of the bed and, presto-chango, what noise? It covered the noise from the DreamStation and although I doubt I'd need it for the ResMed, we've become so used to it (it helps cover the occasional car alarm, the dog next door, etc., etc.) that it has become a fixture in the bedroom. We even take it when we travel now.
yup. used white noise long before i used cpap. helps me quite a bit.
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
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Re: Respironics Dreamstation - huge unit-to-unit noise variation

Post by pixelyzed » Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:24 am

White noise is a great idea and would have been the solution I would have tried if the Airsense 10 wasn't so quiet or I would have had to go back to my noisy DS 1. But I'm afraid it would have anoyed my wife and/or me as we're so acustomed to almost total silence at night.

But it's not needed now and the area around our home is very quiet at night apart from the occasional passing car. Now noise is even less an issue since I changed my mask from an older model (Resmed Activa LT which I'd used for the last 11 years (3 different ones, not the same mask all that time ;), just the same model) to a much newer Resmed Airfit N30. It's even quieter that the Activa LT and with the Airsense 10, my wife doesn't even notice I'm on CPAP anymore and I sleep more comfortably than ever.

The new machine and new mask were costly but quality sleep is so important to our overall health I didn't hesitate to invest in them. I tried 3 different mask models in the last 2 years before landing on the N30 which seems to have the perfect mix of comfort, stability and quietness. 2 nights down with it and 5 with the Airsense and I feel very good about these choices now. Hopefully it keeps going for a long time!

Glad for you guys that white noise is working to hide machine noises!

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Additional Comments: EPR 1, no ramp, 8-18 pressure. Oscar
CPAP: ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset
Mask: ResMed Airfit N30
Diagnosed with severe apnea in 2009 (43+ events/hour with very long events)