What to Do if Your CPAP Machine Whistles
This post was originally posted on May 27, 2018, and updated on February 28, 2022.
The leading form of treatment for people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP therapy. A CPAP machine uses a hose and mask to deliver a constant flow of pressured air to keep the airway open throughout the night and reduce apnea episodes. Some CPAP users have encountered what has been described as a very slight whistling noise when they use their machine. Here’s how to solve that problem.
Check The Fit of Your CPAP Mask
Disconnect your CPAP mask from the hose while leaving your CPAP machine on and the hose connected. If the whistle goes away, then a poorly fitting mask might be the issue. Try adjusting your mask until you no longer hear the noise. If that doesn’t work, it may be time to find a new mask.
Check the Hose Connection
Another possible reason for whistling is that the hose is not properly connected to the CPAP machine. Try readjusting the hose connection at the machine end. If you notice that you are able to stop the whistling by holding the hose tightly to the machine, yet still hear the noise when you let go, then it’s time for a new hose. Hoses can get stretched out over time and develop leaks around their point of connection.
Check for Other Hose Problems
Most likely any whistling is due to problems with the hose. Look for holes in the hose that might be letting air leak out. Submerge your hose in water and let it fill up. Plug both ends of the hose and take it out of the water. If there are holes, water will leak out from them.
Also, look for cracked or dried up sections of the hose or mineral deposits. All hoses wear out over time. Whistling may be a sign that it’s time for a hose replacement.
Quieter CPAP Machines
If noise other than whistling is keeping you (or your bed partner) up at night, then you may want to look for a CPAP machine with quieter performance.
We recommend:
ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet CPAP Machine with Heated Humidifier
The ResMed AirSense 10 features an Easy-Breathe motor. Foam and insulation have been added to the base of the CPAP machine to reduce noise. This also helps minimize turbulence and improve performance.
The Resvent iBreeze comes with an integrated humidifier that helps users breathe easily during effective CPAP therapy. Moreover, the machine has a 3.5-inch screen that allows easy menu navigation and detailed data on sleep apnea therapy.
Looking for a quiet CPAP machine or need more help with a whistling machine? Give us a call at 866.414.9700 or email our team at questions@thecpapshop.com. Find more CPAP machines and supplies at https://www.thecpapshop.com.
Chris Vasta is the president of The CPAP Shop and an expert in sleep and respiratory therapy. He often provides insights on product design and functionality on various manufacturers’ prototypes and is frequently tapped to provide reviews on new releases.