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Thank you for your prompt response, Sierra. Indeed, after writing my question, it occurred to me to try my "old" machine. It was one of the Phillips Respironics models affected by a massive recall a few years back. Luckily, I registered as an affected user and, a few weeks ago, was able to exchange my old machine for a brand-new DreamStation 2. I cleaned all the parts, tested the machine, found it adequate, re-cleaned everything, and put it away. It was ready to use last night and it did the trick: no annoying noise. I will now use this knowledge to troubleshoot what is wrong with the A10. The seals look good but warrant further investigation. Many thanks again!
I am a 10-year + veteran of using a CPAP machine, and 5-year + veteran of using the AirSense 10 model and the DreamWear nasal mask, which I clean and replace as recommended. Both have been awesome until very recently. Now most nights, but not every night, the elbow vent makes a loud, high-pitched whistle sound that I am at my wit's end to stop. There is no water droplet getting in the way, no condensation, no object obstructing airflow. The ambient air temperature is higher than 75F. Changing between older and newer masks makes no difference. It's impossible to fall asleep, let alone stay asleep. I don't know what else to try.
Thank you, Sierra. I'll give your activated carbon powder suggestion a try and report back.
I clean my CPAP machine weekly and change the hypo filter every 3-4 weeks, based on how grey it has become. A few evenings ago, a very strong skunk smell entered our house. We immediately closed all the windows and ran all of our exhaust fans - bathroom fans and outside-vented range hood - for about 30 min until it became bearable. We kept the windows closed all night. In the latter part of the night, I kept being woken up by a strong skunk smell coming through my mask. In the morning, I took a strong whiff of my hypo filter. No smell. While pre-heating my machine at night, I tested the smell of the air coming out of the tube. Pungently skunky! I tried changing the hypo filter and that immediately solved the problem. Conclusion: the skunk smell got trapped in the hypo filter and will be released at the range of air pressure generated by a CPAP machine. Hypo filters are expensive and should last a few weeks. I can't afford to throw them away more frequently just because a skunk lives in our neighbourhood. Has anyone else encountered this problem? How can I safely remove that skunk smell from my hypo filter? I looked into Ozium Air Sanitizer but read that the vapours are not safe to breathe in. Would the filter retain its integrity if I follow the advice for skunky clothes, i.e., wash with a regular laundry detergent mixed with baking soda in hot water, then air dry?
