The world is already noisy enough, so the least we can hope for is a little silence when we hit the hay. CPAP machines can be noisy though– the roaring motor, the wheezing of the humidifier, the air escaping from the mask. It can make anyone want to take out a sledgehammer and smash his or her CPAP to smithereens. Luckily, there are a number of new CPAPs and masks on the market that are designed to be whisper quiet, making the noisy CPAP problem a thing of the past.
Whisper Quiet Masks
Old, loud or leaky CPAP masks can give you that lovely Darth Vader sound when you breathe. Now you can try a CPAP mask specially designed to be less audible. The AirFit P10 Nasal Pillow Mask System is about 50% quieter and 50% lighter than its predecessor and it has even been shown to deliver more than 40 minutes of additional sleep per night. If a nasal mask is more your style, you will want to try the Eson 2. This new mask has a vent diffuser that muffles all noise and disperses the exhaled air so you and your partner remain undisturbed. Those who require a full face mask have the Amara View. In addition to having virtually silent exhalation ports, the Amara View is also the smallest, lightest and has the widest field of vision of all leading full face masks.
Whisper Quiet CPAPs
The main source of noise on a CPAP machine is the motor. The CPAP motor was built with some of the same mechanical principles as a vacuum cleaner, so you can expect some noise. However, new CPAP machines are being built with remarkably advanced noise reduction features. For instance, the AirSense 10 CPAP system from ResMed has an ultra-quiet Easy-Breathe motor. At 26.6 decibels (that’s less audible than the sound of whispering), the AirSense is the quietest CPAP available. The new DreamStation by Respironics is a close second at 27.9 decibels. The AirSense is also available in a “for Her” model, which is just as quiet. Sleep apnea symptoms present differently in women and the AirSense for Her is programmed to meet women’s unique sleep apnea needs.
Tips and Tricks for Reducing Noise
1. Keep your humidifier filled to the appropriate level – if you don’t, you will have a lot of gurgling sounds.
2. Make sure that you replace your old CPAP cushion because there is a good chance that your tired, worn out cushion may be causing your mask to leak – which is not only noisy, but could also cause your skin to chafe.
3. Try using some liners to enhance the seal and comfort of your mask to reduce noise even further. The key is to decrease the amount of air leaking from your CPAP mask – the less air that escapes, the less noise there will be. Or try the new CPAP Gel to quiet leaky masks.
Noise is the number one thing that gets in the way of people’s dedication to CPAP treatment, so it is important to cut out the racket once and for all.
