Oxygen concentrator sound level

[Gordon Shumway]

We now have an oxygen concentrator in our house and it is noisy. What have any of you seen or done to reduce the sound output from one of these machines?

Thanks.

[Frank]

Can't see page. Is this US? Thought machines were quieter.

[Taxed and Spent]

That can't be! "Quiet oxygen concentrator includes Invacare HomeFill system port for inventory flexibility."

I have no idea - did the company say that your unit is "quiet"?

[bob_villain]

We had these in a nursing facility, ask kindly for another unit. They become more noisy after they have been worked-on and their aging process. New ones are definitely quieter. I'm assuming this is a rental unit? If you bought it, you can put a longer tube/extension, and put it in another room. You shouldn't enclose it.

[Gordon Shumway]

Yes it's US. Use the link that Taxed and Spent posted -- his works.

They claim to be quiet but it's relative. It is quieter than rolling along beside an 18 wheeler at 60 MPH but it's difficult to get to sleep with it running, even in when it's in a different room.

[Frank]

I see site from your url. Says quiet and another site says 58 dB which may be about normal speaking voice level or a refrigerator running. Maybe not real noisy but could be a problem when sleeping. I'd probably locate the unit outside the bed room or use ear plugs.

Oxygen output can be more than most people need and I believe there are portable battery operated units that are much smaller.

Many years ago before these units were available I almost had to use oxygen at home but fortunately didn't. It could be a pain with tanks and liquid delivered to your house and lines running all over the house.

[Gordon Shumway]

The rep that delivered it (we don't own it we rent it) said "You'll get used to it." He said the one the VA uses is "a little quieter, but not much." The nearest VA is about 60 miles away and for "a little quieter" I'm reluctant to get involved with the VA.

[Gordon Shumway]

Yes, it's a rental unit. It has a 50 foot hose on it and it's down the hall and in the family room about 40 feet away, but it's a lot noisier than a mouse pissin' on a blotter. :-(

[bob_villain]

I will assume that you choose not to engage...or you have me blocked. You're not my favorite either, but I have worked on these at a nursing home. Maintenance for 16 yrs.

[bob_villain]

They have a compressor in them and can become noisy...I would ask for another unit, preferably, newer.

[Terry Coombs]

Might be different where you are (I'm in N. central Arkansas) , but I have nothing but good things to say about VA medical care . Because I live more than 40 miles from the nearest facility , they set me up with an appointment with a local (and very very good) Ortho guy to look at the torn muscles in my arm . My visits to the nearest facility for annual physical checkups have also been great - and no extended waits for an appointment .

[Ed Pawlowski]

IMO, the Invacare units are not a quiet as some others, especially the

10 liter model. . None are as quiet as a refrigerator if that is what you are expecting.

Note also, that unit is capable of putting out 10 lpm. Most patients are on 2 lpm and rare cases to 4 lpm. If you actually need 10 liters you are in serious trouble.

Check with your supplier and see if they have other units that are less capacity, but quieter. I like AirSep or Devilbiss.

As for location, if you have a spare room where you can close the door it makes a big difference. It should be well ventilated though, at least in summer an open window.

If you are in an area of low humidity you should have a humidifier bottle too. You fill it with distilled water and the flow bubbles through it.

If you go out a lot with oxygen ask for a conserver unit and home fill system. A standard D tank is heavy and will last about 4 hours on 2lpm. With a conserver system you can get a smaller 3000psi tank that will last about 8 hours. Easier to handle in a carry case with a strap. They are expensive so many suppliers don't want to give them to you.

The only true quiet systems use liquid oxygen. They are rare these days as the tank has to be filled every 8 days or so, but they are dead quiet.

[bob_villain]

Ed is up to date, we occasionally would accept folks requiring more than 10lpm and would need 2 machines with a Y connection. Not good!

[Gordon Shumway]

I originally had a 5 liter unit, with about 29,000 hours, and the Homefill II companion. When I complained about the lengthy time required to fill the tanks I was given the 10 liter unit that had about 1500 hours on the clock. It was noticeably quieter but still not what I would classify as quiet.

I was told the Homefill II system required a minimum of 2 LPM to fill the tanks and could use up to 3 LPM. With my need of 3 LPM that put the Homefill II system getting only the minimum for oxygen.

I was hoping there was some sort of sound absorbing material that could be placed near the unit, not encapsulating it, to help reduce the noise.

[Gordon Shumway]

Neither. See my response to one of your other posts in this thread.

[bob_villain]

Alf, is this a sleeping issue? Have you tried 3M ear plugs?

[Gordon Shumway]

I had never seen one of these units before and was surprised at their noise.

I'm at 3 LPM.

Thanks for that info.

It's as far from the bedroom that the 50 foot hose allows.

Illinois is not known for low humidity in the summer.

I have one case but it's not the most convenient and will be ordering one from a different manufacturer when the retailer's inventory is replenished.

Progress is good, but there are times the good old days have appeal. :-)

[Gordon Shumway]

Hehe, not many seem to remember Alf. Yes, it is a sleeping issue, more for my wife than me though. I'll suggest the ear plugs to her... again.

BTW, I know I'm not your favorite. Uncle Monster always was. ;-)

[Micky]

Portable?

I just saw a 20-year neighbor last night and for the first time he had a portable one. There were two people sitting between me and him, at a table, plus it was probably on the far side of him, and I didn't hear it. The guy retired from the fire department on disability years ago, and he's seemed fine all this time, but I resisted drawing conclusions. But he probably was, and I guess for sure he is now.

[Gordon Shumway]

No, it's for use in the home -- stationary.

I've been looking at those. I've only been on oxygen therapy for about 4 months and haven't decided if I want to spend 3 grand on one of those units to replace the cylinders. Maybe some day.