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, though, 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. For instance, 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 AirFit N10. It has circular vents that diffuse air quietly and direct air away from you and your bed partner. According to ResMed’s research, patients consistently rank the AirFit N10 number one over other leading CPAP masks. Those who require a full face mask have the Quattro Air. It is the lightest full face mask available and it has the same whisper quiet vents the N10 sports.
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 reducing features. For instance, the all-new AirSense 10 CPAP system and its trusted predecessor the S9 AutoSet from ResMed have an ultra-quiet Easy-Breathe motor. At 26 decibels (that’s quieter than the sound of whispering) the S9 is the quietest CPAP available. The AirSense AutoSet is not far behind, coming in at 26.6 decibels. In addition, the AirSense 10 has an AutoRamp function that delivers a lower pressure when you’re falling asleep and then ramps up to the prescribed dose when the machine detects that you are sound asleep, thus offering much more quiet and comfortable treatment.
Tips and Tricks for Reducing Noise
1. Keep your humidifier filled to the adequate level – if you don’t, you will have a lot of gurgling sounds
2. Make sure that you replace you’re 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 reduce the amount of air leaking from your CPAP mask – the less air that escapes, the less noise there’ll be.
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.
