Perhaps a better question is will noise from a CPAP machine wake someone up or keep them or their loved ones awake. ย In short - no.
A CPAP machine is a device that provides Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (hence the acronym). ย This air pressure is the best known treatment for sleep apnea and snoring. ย Snoring and sleep apnea are caused by the airway collapsing or being blocked and the air pressure helps keep it clear. ย In many patients, it makes the difference between a good nights sleep and a fitful restless one. ย Many people consider the machine to be their sleep savior.
What causes the sounds when using a CPAP machine?
1 - The motor. ย A CPAP works on the same principle as a vacuum cleaner so has a similar sound but much quieter. ย
2 - The sound of air forced through the openings in the tubes. ย Air makes more sound as it moves faster and smaller tubes create more pressure and more sound. ย The pressure is what is needed for a CPAP machine to work properly so reducing this is not an option.
3 - The mask can cause some sound. ย Again, it is the sound of the air being forced through it. ย Or it is the air escaping the mask. ย The masks are designed to allow air to leave as the patient breathes out. ย If air leaves where it is supposed to, there is less sound.
4 - Natural breathing. ย Your breath pushes against the air coming in and creates a sound.
There is a difference between noise and sound. ย Noise is confused changes in sound. ย The sound from a CPAP machine is continuous and it is changes in sound levels that tend to wake us up. ย CPAP sound is continuous white noise. ย Your breathing is what causes any variation in sound. ย This creates a soft rhythmic sound that is quite soothing to many people.
Human beings are built to be aware of changes in sound but comfortable with continuous sounds like these. ย Some people like to imagine the sounds they hear are the sounds of breath (which they are) or waves from the ocean. Breath and waves are soothing. ย These can work to help lull them to sleep.ย
Some of the older machines were loud which is why some people still hold on to the belief they are noisy. ย Sound is created by the fan in the machine but this can be accentuated by forcing the air through a tube - thus creating noise. ย New fans are quieter and the machines are engineered deliberately to be quiet.
Some masks are louder than others. ย Typically those with less room for the air to move through create more sound. ย A reputable mask supplier can explain the features and sound levels coming from the various alternatives.
Another noise associated with a machine can be air escaping from a leaky, poorly fitted air mask. ย This is easily fixed and is not really CPAP noise but an easily fixed side effect.
So the sound of the machine is nominal and not a problem in most cases. ย The benefits of the machine for most people far outweigh any "noise" issues. ย
If someone is very, very sound sensitive, there are still simple earplugs that some people use.
