Perhaps so you can tell if it activated or not. Plus their user base skews older so some proportion may have hearing problems.

I don’t use a CPAP machine so don’t know if this matters (perhaps it’s obvious when it’s on/off). Just speculating on your “I wonder every day” comment.

Also the CPAP machine is regulated as a medical device, so then fr is required by the FDA to certify that the machine has a certain lifespan, which includes cycle times on things like switches. It’s likely that a big mechanical device which is over specified in its lifetime is an easy way to solve a problem so design attention can be directed elsewhere.

Even so, I can't imagine there isn't a less clucky button.

It's very obvious when it's on or off. The machine has been well designed with a11y in mind, so it lights up and has icons. Also, it inflates your upper respiratory tract like a balloon, which is pretty hard to miss.

So next year they can sell "quieter buttons" as a new feature?