Heya
I am one year on. My valve is so loud - it gets louder when I breathe deeply or yawn. Other people can feel it get louder if they put a hand on my chest between the clavicals. People can hear it in a quiet room - the medical imagers tell me they hear it as soon as I walk in.
No I don't have any suggestions. Wish that I did.
But I understand.

No you are not the only one. The medical told me that I will hear it but then I will get used to it. It keeps me awake and very hard to get back to sleep. I think I am getting used to it but it is so intrusive.

Everyone who I am in close proximity to can hear my mechanical valve. One family member said "you're like a cat with a bell." It's generally louder when I try and sleep on my left side, so I've given up and moved to my right. It's louder when I hold my breath. I am sorry I don't have any solutions. When I speak to my primary doctor he repeats what others have said, "You'll get used to it." I am not sure that's true, but know that you're not alone.

My buddy had an artifial heart valve implanted forty years ago. Standing next to him, I can hear the click, click, click ot the valve. He tells me that he no longer notices it unless he thinks about it.
even then, it is sort ob.f a comfort to know that it is still doing its jo

I got a mechanical aortic heart valve at the age of 49. As most people I too had a really hard time getting used to the ticking. It took me several years to emotional accept the fact that I could not change I had this valve and the ticking. However, try to ignore the people who make uncalled comments on the ticking. (It's not funny). I'm now 81, sleep best on my right side, and yes, the ticking is constant (I have also 100% atrial fibrillation for almost 40 years now which made it harder). I have come to accept the fact sometimes I get up during the night and sit for a while in the living room with some relaxing music. It has become my life. I don't think about it anymore, just accept it. (I'm now waiting for a mitral valve replacement, but have been told that this will not effect the noise of the aortic valve).