Whistling noise through the vent holes

[Slugger]

[attachment=11936]

My CPAP full face mask has a series of vent holes in the front of it. A grid of maybe 36 little holes. 

Problem is, after a little but of time every night, a whistling noise begins to come from those holes as air escapes through them, as designed. I know that's the source of the whistling because when I wipe that area with a finger it'll stop or change sounds for a few minutes.   

I clean the mask every nighty before use. I use a toothbrush in those holes to clean them out. I've tried soap and water. I've tried vinegar and water. 

I am using a resmed airsense 10. It has a humidifier. I have tinkered with lower humidity settings. Doesn't seem to help. 

Any thoughts? Too loud to sleep!

[Crimson Nape]

Hi Slugger -
It sounds like you are getting condensation in the mask.  Have you tried not using the humidifier?  You can also use it as a passive humidifier by having water in the tank and setting the machine humidity level to 0 (zero).   Another thought is to obtain a heated hose if you currently aren't using one.

Good luck!

[Slugger]

I've tinkered with the humidity level down as low as two. But I get such dry mouth that I really think I need the humidity higher.

And I do have a heated hose. Set at 75.

I just noticed the new masks I bought don't have the vent holes like the old ones. Maybe I'll just try that.

[RNeil]

Try cleaning in the morning instead of the evening. Moisture in the diffuser may be affecting it. I had that problem with my F&P Bravida. Now I only clean it in the morning.

[3rdMarDiv]

I get such dry mouth that I really think I need the humidity higher. 

My mouth used to feed like a desert and I struggled with the humidifier. I thought it was going to cause me not to be able to use the machine. I was keeping a leak proof kiddie cup of water by the machine.

Just a tip that worked for me: 

Concentrate on always closing your mouth closed during the night. It won't take long to get it moist again.

Tell your brain to stop opening your mouth and to keep it shut. 



Was a huge problem when I started, not any more...