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+--- Thread: Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? (/Thread-Why-is-my-mask-louder-when-using-the-AirMini)
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Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? - Schnoozer - 11-06-2024
When using the AirMini for the first time, I noticed that there is increased noise from the mask (breathing noise, and much more noise on exhalation) than when using my AirSense 11.
This was surprising because I expected that the AirMini would be louder than the Airsense 11, but it's surprisingly quiet. A little louder I guess, but not much. Meanwhile, the noise from my mask is definitely increased. I tested it using a sound meter, and when the same hose and mask it's louder on the Mini.
So loud, in fact, that it might be a lot to deal with. I'm so curious why this might be. The only thing I can think of is that I'm using a Zephr adapter to connect my slimline hose and p30i mask. In the setup, that p30i mask wasn't listed so I choose 'nasal pillows' and the 'Airfit P10 for Airmini' when I chose the mask.
All other settings are the same (min 6.4 max 20, ramp off, EPR 2).
It sounds like when I breathe, there is a lot of whooshing noise right in the mask close to the mouth, but it might be coming from the sides along my face.
Anyways, how could this be? I expected that the mask would behave the same regardless what was on the other side of the hose, and that the AirMini would send the air/pressure down the hose pretty much like the AirSense.
thanks!
RE: Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? - BrianBella - 11-06-2024
I researched this too and couldn't really find an answer anywhere. I had to wear my AirPods Pro with noise cancelling just to sleep with this on my trip to France. Worked great with a battery, but it was too loud on exhale for my wife and kept her up too. She never complains about the noise on my Resmed 11. The quietest mask is the P10 made for the Airmini that has the in-line humidx module while the adapted masks were much louder. I sold it after my trip and just take my 11 with me now.
RE: Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? - Schnoozer - 11-07-2024
Update: I asked Lofta about this. They really couldn't answer my question 'why would a different machine cause more noise at the mask, rather than being noisy at the machine or the hose'. Regardless, they did recommend:
1) adding the VCOM. Honestly this is a little confusing, too - from what I can tell, it just bottlenecks the airflow, presumably to make the increasing/decreasing of pressure a little less abrupt and therefore more comfortable.
2) Adding a [DME Link Removed] Breas QLite Inline CPAP muffler. Maybe it could help, but hard to understand why it would.
If I were to add both the VCOM (which I have because they gave me one) and the muffler, wouldn't that restrict the flow of air a bit? or is there plenty of pressure so I wouldn't notice. I just wonder if this is even worth trying. But I probably will.
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RE: Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? - BrianBella - 11-07-2024
From what I remember in my research, the P10 made for the mini is still quieter than the muffler and vcom (I believe vcom is only for CPAP not for APAP) on an adapted mask plus the muffler is fairly large.
RE: Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? - Schnoozer - 11-15-2024
Update:
I've been experimenting with the Mini, trying mufflers, vcom, mini hose, ordinary hose with adapter, and a variety of masks. I got a P10 which is said to be the quietest mask with the Mini and, yes, it's the quietest I've tried.
It's just... too loud at the mask! The Darth Vader effect is seemingly impossible for me to get used to. Meanwhile, the same P10 with the A11 is nearly silent. I can't understand why this would be, but that's what I've found.
I really want a small/light machine for travel, but I'm running out of things to try and might have to send this thing back. If ANYONE has any ideas about how to quiet it down I would love to hear them!!
RE: Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? - cjxj - 12-01-2024
I'm wondering the same thing regarding the AirMini being distractingly louder at the mask than my Airsense 11. I'm using an adapter on the outlet of the AirMini and then running the same tube and F20 mask as I use with the AS11. I set the insp and exp pressures as well as the ramp setting exactly the same. The noise at the AirMini unit itself is quieter than I expected. One thing that seems a bit different while breathing is that the *PERCEIVED* pressures seem higher on the AirMini, even though they are set the same.
Any updates or ideas?
Thanks!
RE: Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? - Schnoozer - 12-01-2024
Yea it definitely feels different to me. Feels like more pressure I guess, but how could that be? Very odd.
RE: Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? - Deborah K. - 12-01-2024
The Air Mini is a louder machine, so every mask is louder when using it.
RE: Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? - Schnoozer - 12-01-2024
That doesn't really make sense. The machine isnt all that loud, the noise is coming from the exhaust vent of the mask.
Why would a loud machine make the mask louder? It seems more like there is something different about the airflow, pressure, etc
RE: Why is my mask louder when using the AirMini? - cjxj - 12-02-2024
Continuing to try understand why my new AirMini makes so much more noise at the mask, even when pressure setting are identical to my AS-11. Several points:
- I've read others say that the noise is most prominent on inspiration which is also what was most noticeable to me as well.
- The unit itself does not seem much louder than the AS11. This certainly makes sense if it is true that they both utilize the same blower assembly, but I have no way of knowing that. Regardless, the AirMini unit seems acceptably quiet.
- Even with the settings the same, it feels as though the pressure is higher when using the mini, using the same hose and mask.
So, I have a digital manometer and although the readings were "jumpy", here are my observations of a difference I see in what happens inside the mask on AS11 vs AirMini.
- Before using the mask, I just put my manometer tube inside the cuff and altered the restriction to see what the pressure readings looked like. Although I *think* I observed the AirMini readings maybe a little bit higher by about 1/2 cm/h2o than the AS11, they were close enough to each other and the ramp I/E settings that I don't think a difference in calibration is related to the increased air noise issue.
- My ramp I/E values are 7/4, using a 3cm exp reduction.
- With the AS11, when inspiring the pressure inside the mask ramps UP from 5 up to 7 on a slow inspiration.
- With the AirMini, it seems to hit hard and OVERSHOOTS inside the mask to about 8.5 before settling back to 7. Since I'm just watching a digital display which may have some latency, I wouldn't be surprised if my overshoot measurement is blunted.
- I'm thinking that this may be why the perceived pressure inside the mask seems higher with the AirMini.
- I don't notice as much difference on exhalation.
I don't know quite what to think. On the AirMini, the outlet appears to come straight from the blower directly into the tubing. On the AS-11 it exists the blower into the water chamber, taking a circuitous route through the chamber and back out, changing directions again before entering the tubing. Wondering if the extra volume in the circuit and all the changing of airflow direction dampens the flow of air somehow..
I may do some more experimenting, BUT with the many mask air noise complaints I've read online, it would seem like the smart folks at ResMed might have looked into this. I think the AS-11 works really well. I'd think it would not be too challenging for the engineers to use blower control in the AirMini to match or simulate what the user is experiencing at the distal, or mask end of the circuilt...
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