Experience with a new Hybrid

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:05 pm

Last night after trialling the mask one afternoon last week, I decided to go for broke & run with it.

In anticipation of noise issues I actually blocked two of the vent holes (was willing to take the risk for a night).

The mask did require tight clamping & the nasal prongs did start to hurt a bit but I was pretty optomistic it would be a winner.

Then just after midnight & I gave up & grabbed my reliable trusty UMFF & went back to sleep. The main reason was nasal congestion despite being on a new nasal med. I would probably lower the nasal prongs one notch as well.

The Hybrid has so much promise - I like the way it acts as a chin strap in holding the jaw closed & thus is so easy to nose breathe.

But I think the killer is the noise - my wife commented how pleased she was I had switched back to the UMFF as she said the combination of increased noise from my machine plus the noise from the mask, was like sleeping next to a vaccume cleaner (I didn't mention I had blocked two holes to reduce the noise )

Ahh well, another one for the collection but I will try it again if I can talk my wife into earplugs

DSM

preemiern · Post by **preemiern** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:21 am

HI DSM!!

I actually have never noticed my Hybrid being noisy. I finally got the new improved headgear--the one with the grey on the inside--and it has made my hybrid my dream mask!! I used to love my activa--but now I am really loving my hybrid.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:57 am

I think the design is a winner.

It really does act as a chinstrap, mouth mask & nasal pillows mask all in one.

I may have to ask my wife to leave just so I can continue to use it

I will try it again & maybe will insist wifey uses earplugs.

DSM

quilterB · Post by **quilterB** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:53 am

The only time I notice a lot of noise with the Hybrid is if a blanket or pillow gets in front of i t. Otherwise it isn't too noisy. Have been using it for over 6 months now so maybe I am just used to it.

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:10 am

quilterB wrote:The only time I notice a lot of noise with the Hybrid is if a blanket or pillow gets in front of i t. Otherwise it isn't too noisy. Have been using it for over 6 months now so maybe I am just used to it.

Same here. The exhaust noise on my Hybrid is not noticeable to me or my wife unless I pull the sheet up to my face. Then the exhaust hits the sheet (is that like the sheet hitting the fan) and it sounds like a large mask leak.

If you have problems with noise, I would think blocking two of the vent holes would make the noise worse.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:21 am

acts as a chin strap

It works far better for me with the chin-flap cut off. Advantages:

1) 40% weight reduction

2) Lower curve of the mouth-piece fits against my mouth much better.

Maybe blocking two holes increases the noise because of the increase
in velocity through the other 4 holes? To me, my CL2's inhale/exhale
noise is more noticeable than the Hybrid noise, unless something gets
in front of it.

My experience with both the UMFF and the Hybrid are:

UMFF is very heavy, makes me sweat, and it just hurts the bridge of my
nose.

The Hybrid, like all nasal pillow masks will irritate the nares at the contact
points. However, this is controllable with ointments. Furthermore, the
Hybrid (without the chin-flap) is much cooler and lighter than the UMFF.

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:18 pm

dsm wrote:.............................................

The Hybrid has so much promise - I like the way it acts as a chin strap in holding the jaw closed & thus is so easy to nose breathe.

.......................................

DSM

I have been using the Hybrid (with chin flap cut off) nightly for six months now and have no intention of switching to another FF mask. I don't know that I ever understood the chin flap concept on an FF mask (unless it is just promotional). If the chin flap holds your mouth shut then why do you need the mouthpiece?

With the chin flap I found the mask was too hot, too heavy and too confining. Cut the chin flap off and voila!

The local Apria manager talked me into coming in to look at other FF masks since they no longer carry the Hybrid. I am going to have a look tomorrow and may take one (insurance will pay 100%) to try out for naps and keep as a backup in case my nose gets entirely too sore for nasal pillows.

oldgearhead, you really dissuade me from the Ultra Mirage FF, so I just don't know what I may bring home.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:09 pm

oldgearhead, you really dissuade me from the Ultra Mirage FF, so I just don't know what I may bring home

Rooster - I can tolerate the HC431 or HC432 better than the UMFF. I
found the HC431 was about as rough on my nose as the UMFF, but
the HC431 did not apply unbearable pressure to my lower jaw, like
the UMFF..

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:40 pm

oldgearhead wrote:
Rooster - I can tolerate the HC431 or HC432 better than the UMFF. I
found the HC431 was about as rough on my nose as the UMFF, but
the HC431 did not apply unbearable pressure to my lower jaw, like
the UMFF..

oldgearhead,

Thanks for the tips. How does the "under-chin" part of the HC431 compare to the chin flap on the Hybrid? In addition to the problems already mention with the Hybrid chin flap, I got a red patch under my chin that was looking very bad the few nights I used the Hybrid with chin flap.

rooster

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:53 pm

rooster - The UMFF trys to push my jaw back to my ears, and the HC431
is hot and slippery. The Hybrid (sans chin-flap) makes my face slippery
also, but less often, and much later in the night.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): HC431

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): HC431

patbringer · Post by **patbringer** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:56 pm

rooster wrote:
oldgearhead wrote:
Rooster - I can tolerate the HC431 or HC432 better than the UMFF. I
found the HC431 was about as rough on my nose as the UMFF, but
the HC431 did not apply unbearable pressure to my lower jaw, like
the UMFF..

oldgearhead,

Thanks for the tips. How does the "under-chin" part of the HC431 compare to the chin flap on the Hybrid? In addition to the problems already mention with the Hybrid chin flap, I got a red patch under my chin that was looking very bad the few nights I used the Hybrid with chin flap.

rooster

Rooster,

Unlike the Hybrid, you cannot cut off the chin flap on the HC431 because the chin flap on the HC431 is more "integrated" with the cushion. So, that is something to consider.

If your insurance will cover another mask, why don't you buy a Hybrid from cpap.com? What restricts you to Apria? Apria SUCKS in my opinion...

Cheers!

Pat

jasper · Post by **jasper** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:29 pm

Looks like the search for the ultimate FF continues. I started with a ComfortFull II which my DME gave me as a free sample. No wonder... probably nobody wanted to buy it. It leaked like crazy, and to stop the leaks, I had to tighten it so much that my teeth and jaw hurt the next day. Ok, so CF II goes in the drawer. Back to the Activa with tape.

I still wanted a mask I could use when I'm congested, so I went for the F&P 432. At first I thought it would really be great, maybe even my full time mask. I only had a small red spot on the bridge of my nose in the morning. Otherwise, it was comfortable to wear, I could get it sealed with only a little more tension on the straps, and I got a great night's sleep.

Unfortunately after the 2nd, 3rd etc. nights, the red spot got a bit worse, and finally rubbed raw by night 5. (I don't give up easily do I?). Went back to the Activa until my nose healed, and then tried the 432 with a bandaid over my nose. Nope, same old thing. (But this time I smartened up after one night).

I've tried padding the forehead rest to bring the mask out a bit (yeah, they didn't design an adjustable forehead piece in... MISTAKE!). Didn't work anyway.

I may have to try the Hybrid to see if I can find FF happiness there. Just bothers me a bit (actually a lot) that one has to cut off the chin flap, and maybe split the nasal pillows apart etc. to make it work. Why can't you buy a mask that works out of the box Sighhhh...

Maryb · Post by **Maryb** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:47 pm

I cut a small piece of gauze and put it inbetween my chin and the chin flap.
This makes it more comfortable for me and I don't get any red marks.

Maryb

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:54 pm

rooster wrote:
<snip>

If you have problems with noise, I would think blocking two of the vent holes would make the noise worse.

was wondering if someone would think that It sort of makes sense but is a trap in thinking.....

If all the holes are blocked there is no vent noise at all

If half the holes are blocked there is an increase in noise & if all are open there is a lot more noise.

Same applies to any mask. Most machines will maintain a constant pressure at the air exit port & blocking unblocking holes does change the back pressure to the machine - most models will then adjust their blower to maintain a constant CMS level at the exit port.

Another example, if you remove the mask completely the machine will usually got to maximum output to try to keep its exit pressure at the set CMS level (but many will shut down with a leak alarm).

DSM

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:24 pm

DSM......the noise bothered me as well. Here is my fix:

viewtopic.php?t=16906&highlight=bamalady

Simple and works for me.

Experience with a new Hybrid

Experience with a new Hybrid

Re: Experience with a new Hybrid

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