CPAP sound - can hear my breathing

I have been using the CPAP for three weeks. Some nights I have it on just right and have no problems. But most nights there's something wrong. Last night I could hear myself breathing through the mask, and so could my husband. It kept me awake. It was this airy in and out whoosy kind of sound. Hard to describe. I kept turning the machine off and readjusting the mask. It seemed quiet for a while and then started abain. Anyone know what I am talking about?

I'd try some ear plugs. I sleep with them each night.

I am happy to hear it in my machine b/c I know then that's it's working. It's coming from the EPR=3 setting that I set the machine on.

I couldn't ignore the sound either, so I listened to it, closely, carefully;
until it became so familiar I barely notice it any more.

If the vented air hits the bed linens it makes a lot more noise. That might be one cause.

Darth Vader sounds...the inhale and exhale sounds we hear. The fact that they are absent for a little while when you finally get the mask situated and then they appear...something has changed.
How quickly does the sound return? Are you using the ramp feature so that you start out at a lower pressure and gradually work up to a higher pressure?

What machine are you using? What mask? What pressure?

Could you register here at the forum and add your equipment to your profile like I have mine (see just below my comments here). If we knew exactly what you were using we could offer more specific ideas.

Thanks for all the advice. Glad you know what I am talking about. Here's the information on my equipmemt:

Machine: REMstar Pro C-Flex +
Mask: Mirage Quattro Full Face Mask (Small)
Humidifier: System One Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Ramp Level is set to start at 4 and go up to 10 ; humidifier set at 3

All equipment is provided by Phillips Respironics.

Next time you hear the noise start up again....check to make sure the vented air from the mask isn't hitting anything on your bed like pillows or bedspread.

Are you fitting the mask at the 4 cm ramp pressure or at the 10 cm end pressure?
That much of a difference is going to likely affect leaks.

There is some noise that we hear and often call Darth Vader breathing that comes from what we call "conductive" noise.
Conducted from the machine through the hose and through the mattress to our ears.
Plug your ears with your fingers? What you hear with fingers in ears is conductive noise through the bones in the skull.

Some things to do to try to limit conductive noise and general machine noise...
Place the machine on a sound absorbing something..mouse pad...folded towel, etc.
Use a hose cozy on the long hose.
Place the machine a little lower than the mattress and run the hose up overhead to keep it off the mattress.
Your machine has CFlex exhale relief...if it is on try a different setting or turn it off. If it is off..turn it on and try different settings.
Pull out the gray foam filter...do you have a white fine filter behind it? If not...get one and see if that helps.

I was bothered by that too and ended up getting one of these.

Randy