Machine Clicking Noise

Hi all,

My mother is using a Resmed Lumis 150 VPAP ST machine and we have noticed that there is quite regularly a loud "clicking" or dull thumping type noise coming from what seems to be the humidifier tub upon inhale and exhale.

The noise isn't there all the time, sometimes it's there just upon exhale and sometimes it's there upon both inhale and exhale and sometimes it isn't there at all, it seems like it could possibly have to do with how deep her breaths are?

I believe it may have something to do with the air pressure in the tub forcing the tub to open and close a little and the seal not being able to deal with it, as you can make the noise stop by squeezing the tub together with your hand, her pressure settings are quite high at 10 EPAP / 20 IPAP so perhaps that may be contributing to it.

At first I thought it may be a faulty humidifier tub as it started happening about a month into the machine's use, so I replaced the tub, but only a couple of weeks later the new tub started doing it as well. I replaced the tub again and the new tub was doing it basically from the first use.

As luck would have it, my mother has poor hearing and the noise doesn't bother her at all, and nobody else is sleeping in her room so the noise itself is not so much of an issue, but I am just wondering if anybody else has this issue and if the problem is still something that needs addressing if the noise doesn't bother you?

Is it possible that pressure may be leaking out due to this and her treatment wouldn't be fully effective, or is it simply a noise issue that is ok to ignore if the noise doesn't bother you?

Thanks for any help / advice

This occasionaly happens with Air 10/lumis design.

The clicking you are hearing is (likely) the humidifier lid opening and closing with the breaths.

• It can happen when the humidifier isn't fully inserted (firmly push it all the way in)
• The top lid/ gasket isn't seated properly (take lid of humidifier, reseat gasket)
• The humidifier is warn out (replace)

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 04, 2024 6:45 am

This occasionaly happens with Air 10/lumis design.

The clicking you are hearing is (likely) the humidifier lid opening and closing with the breaths.

• It can happen when the humidifier isn't fully inserted (firmly push it all the way in)
• The top lid/ gasket isn't seated properly (take lid of humidifier, reseat gasket)
• The humidifier is warn out (replace)

Thank you for the reply

I have tried basically "slamming" the tub into the machine to make sure it's in firmly and the noise always comes back, I think you are right that it is the gasket insert causing the issue, I think perhaps because my mother's machine pressure settings are high it may be struggling to maintain the seal, as no matter how many times we re-insert the tub or reseat the gasket it still happens.

I have replaced the humidifier tub twice and the latest new one did it from day 1 of use unfortunately.

Luckily for us, the noise doesn't bother my mother and doesn't keep her awake, so I am hopeful the issue is non important, I guess my concern was only that pressure may be escaping due to the clicking issue and it may affect her therapy.

Will just have to carry on as we are, she doesn't seem to be affected by it thankfully.

This comment is for anyone else who might wonder about this issue:
I was highly annoyed by exhale inhale noise from my machine. Eventually I discovered it was from the humidifier -- even from a new one.

Things to try:
Carefully re-seat the gasket in the lid.
After closing, the lid, I push on the back part of it.
When there's a give, there's a noise. So try to re-open the humidifier lid and reclosing it so there's no give when you push down on the back part of the lid. No give - the tank is closed firmly, no noise.
I insert it into the machine carefully, and after it's inserted, I give it a final firm push - I never slam it.

These things have helped.

It's likely rainout (condensation), even if she's not bothered by water droplets.

Try the following:

• Make sure not to overfill the reservoir.

• Make sure the machine is lower than her head.

• Use a heated hose if you're not already doing so.

• If the problem persists, try raising the temperature in the room and/or lowering the humidifier setting.

Thank you all for the replies

I have tried just about everything, can't seem to resolve the issue but luckily for us, the noise doesn't bother her and she sleeps in a room on her own so it doesn't bother anyone else either.

I was just concerned mainly that air may be escaping due to the issue and affecting her therapy, if that's not the case we are ok for the noise to continue happening.

Appreciate everyone's help as always!