Whooshing Noise in Full Face Masks When Jaw Drops?

LSAT wrote:

SleepySunflower wrote: When using full face masks, if your jaw drops and your mouth opens, does the loud whooshing noise still occur? For anyone using hybrid full face masks, does the whooshing noise occur?

Since no one answered your question...the answer is NO. There will be no whooshing sound.

well, depending on how flappy one's face gets...

tan wrote:

SleepySunflower wrote:Hi Tan, I wear a dental mouthguard on my lower teeth for teeth grinding and the TAPPAP has a mouthpiece that goes on my upper teeth. When I use my ComfortGel nasal mask, I wear just the dental mouthguard on the lower teeth. I tried a couple different chin straps along with the mouthpieces and had limited success. The neoprene chin straps seemed to slide off of my head during the night unless I made them extract tight, then they stretched out quickly. It was annoying so I switched to using the first aid tape on my mouth.

Then, as JDS74 suggested, a cervical collar could do. For me it is a combination, of a mouth-piece and a collar.

Hi Tan,
Thanks for your input!

LSAT wrote:

SleepySunflower wrote:I've been using a ComfortGel nasal mask for years and have been alternating during the last year with a TAPPAP nasal mask, which I like even better than the ComfortGel. Unfortunately, my jaw has started to drop open during the night, causing a very loud whooshing noise that wakes up my husband. I've been using 3M Micropore tape to keep my lips shut, but I'd like to find a different solution. I've tried chin straps, but they aren't reliable.

When using full face masks, if your jaw drops and your mouth opens, does the loud whooshing noise still occur? For anyone using hybrid full face masks, does the whooshing noise occur?

I should also note that I move around quite a bit in my sleep. I'm concerned that this may cause leaks with a full face mask. Any advice on choosing a full face mask? I'm considering the InnoMed Hybrid since I like the TAPPAP nasal mask so much.

Since no one answered your question...the answer is NO. There will be no whooshing sound.

Hi LSAT,
Thanks for answering my original question! If the cervical collar doesn't work for me, I'll try a full face mask.

palerider wrote:well, depending on how flappy one's face gets...

CPAP can do a lot, but unfortunately, "flappiness" is probably out of the prescribed treatment possibilities....

SleepySunflower wrote:

palerider wrote:well, depending on how flappy one's face gets...

CPAP can do a lot, but unfortunately, "flappiness" is probably out of the prescribed treatment possibilities....

well, I meant, specifically, (when the question was about someone's mouth opening (flappy jaw)) that with a ffm, if you open your mouth wide enough, you'll get the bottom of your mouth outside the mask, and it'll get whooshy

LSAT wrote:

SleepySunflower wrote:I've been using a ComfortGel nasal mask for years and have been alternating during the last year with a TAPPAP nasal mask, which I like even better than the ComfortGel. Unfortunately, my jaw has started to drop open during the night, causing a very loud whooshing noise that wakes up my husband. I've been using 3M Micropore tape to keep my lips shut, but I'd like to find a different solution. I've tried chin straps, but they aren't reliable.

When using full face masks, if your jaw drops and your mouth opens, does the loud whooshing noise still occur? For anyone using hybrid full face masks, does the whooshing noise occur?

I should also note that I move around quite a bit in my sleep. I'm concerned that this may cause leaks with a full face mask. Any advice on choosing a full face mask? I'm considering the InnoMed Hybrid since I like the TAPPAP nasal mask so much.

Since no one answered your question...the answer is NO. There will be no whooshing sound.

well, happens to me. The bottom edge of my F10 can't hold mouth shut. I have noticed that if muscles of my jaw gets relaxed, it moves slightly backwards, which tends to re-direct air to the mouth cavity more, pressure builds up and eventually forces my mouth open, it seems.

When using full face masks, if your jaw drops and your mouth opens, does the loud whooshing noise still occur? For anyone using hybrid full face masks, does the whooshing noise occur?

SS, I use a ResMed S9 and an Innomed Hybrid mask. Yes, when my jaw drops the noise level of the air does increase and could be described as "whooshing". But it is a very slight increase and overall the noise level is very low. So low that my bed partner would never hear it.

Now when I say "jaw drops", I mean the mouth opens and I begin mouthbreathing. It could be that the increase in noise is because the path of inhaled/exhaled air has changed to a path whereby the noise is more easily transferred to the inner ear.

I would not expect that your bed partner would be able to hear the difference in noise volume. Unless .... your mask starts leaking when your mouth opens. Could this be the case?

As an aside, I use a foam spinal collar. It will not keep my mouth from opening. But it does keep my neck aligned so that the airway is in a better position. This allows me to get better therapy at a lower average CPAP pressure and avoid pressure spikes when I am in REM sleep.

But back to your problem, the increase in noise level that you described has me concerned that something untoward is going on, like, maybe large leaks.

Good luck,

palerider wrote:

SleepySunflower wrote:

palerider wrote:well, depending on how flappy one's face gets...

CPAP can do a lot, but unfortunately, "flappiness" is probably out of the prescribed treatment possibilities....

well, I meant, specifically, (when the question was about someone's mouth opening (flappy jaw)) that with a ffm, if you open your mouth wide enough, you'll get the bottom of your mouth outside the mask, and it'll get whooshy

Hi palerider,

Sorry for the late reply! I got busy and forgot to check back for replies. I misinterpreted what "flappiness" meant and thought it referred to skin sagging as one gets older. I appreciate the clarification. Thank you also for explaining that one's mouth can still drop below the bottom of the full face mask and cause whooshing.

tan wrote:

LSAT wrote:

SleepySunflower wrote:I've been using a ComfortGel nasal mask for years and have been alternating during the last year with a TAPPAP nasal mask, which I like even better than the ComfortGel. Unfortunately, my jaw has started to drop open during the night, causing a very loud whooshing noise that wakes up my husband. I've been using 3M Micropore tape to keep my lips shut, but I'd like to find a different solution. I've tried chin straps, but they aren't reliable.

When using full face masks, if your jaw drops and your mouth opens, does the loud whooshing noise still occur? For anyone using hybrid full face masks, does the whooshing noise occur?

I should also note that I move around quite a bit in my sleep. I'm concerned that this may cause leaks with a full face mask. Any advice on choosing a full face mask? I'm considering the InnoMed Hybrid since I like the TAPPAP nasal mask so much.

Since no one answered your question...the answer is NO. There will be no whooshing sound.

well, happens to me. The bottom edge of my F10 can't hold mouth shut. I have noticed that if muscles of my jaw gets relaxed, it moves slightly backwards, which tends to re-direct air to the mouth cavity more, pressure builds up and eventually forces my mouth open, it seems.

Hi tan,

Sorry for the late reply! I got busy and forgot to check back for additional responses to my original post. My sleep doctor just recommended that I switch to an F10 to solve the mouth opening problem. Good to know that it might not be the solution....

I'd definitely try a mask liner, like Padacheek, with that - I have an F10, and when my mouth falls partly open at night, the shape of my face changes enough to cause leaking at the bottom corners of the mask, with, yes, a whooshing noise. While a Ruby chinstrap helped, using a liner seems to seal up the last crannies, so my leaks are a lot less .

[quote="SleepySunflower"Thank you also for explaining that one's mouth can still drop below the bottom of the full face mask and cause whooshing.[/quote]
you are more than welcome, and I hope you have good luck with the F10, it's a popular mask.

also, I second Darthlady's recommendation of mask liners, Karen at padacheek.com is a really nice lady who started her business to help folks like us sleep better... and she offers a quality product, and will tell you if she doesn't think it'll help you, instead of just taking your money and running.

VVV wrote:

When using full face masks, if your jaw drops and your mouth opens, does the loud whooshing noise still occur? For anyone using hybrid full face masks, does the whooshing noise occur?

SS, I use a ResMed S9 and an Innomed Hybrid mask. Yes, when my jaw drops the noise level of the air does increase and could be described as "whooshing". But it is a very slight increase and overall the noise level is very low. So low that my bed partner would never hear it.

Now when I say "jaw drops", I mean the mouth opens and I begin mouthbreathing. It could be that the increase in noise is because the path of inhaled/exhaled air has changed to a path whereby the noise is more easily transferred to the inner ear.

I would not expect that your bed partner would be able to hear the difference in noise volume. Unless .... your mask starts leaking when your mouth opens. Could this be the case?

As an aside, I use a foam spinal collar. It will not keep my mouth from opening. But it does keep my neck aligned so that the airway is in a better position. This allows me to get better therapy at a lower average CPAP pressure and avoid pressure spikes when I am in REM sleep.

But back to your problem, the increase in noise level that you described has me concerned that something untoward is going on, like, maybe large leaks.

Good luck,

Hi VVV,

Thank you for your reply! I'm sorry for not replying sooner. I got busy and forgot to check back. I don't think it is large mask leaks because I'm using a nasal mask that doesn't cover my mouth. When my jaw drops and my mouth opens, there is definitely a loud whooshing noise as the pressurized air comes rushing out of my mouth. (My pressure range is 9 - 13 cm H2O.)

I appreciate you letting me know that you have only a slight noise when the mouth opens while using the InnoMed Hybrid full face mask. I'm interested in trying it but have seen reviews that indicate leak problems for active sleepers or people that sleep on their side. Do you have any problems with leakage? Can anyone comment on the InnoMed Hydrid mask vs. the Resmed F10 Full Face mask for mouth breathing, side sleeping, active sleepers?

Subsequent to my original post (Nov 2014), I got a foam cervical collar to keep the jaw from dropping but had difficulty finding the proper fit. I found an adjustable cervical collar, which has a string that can be tightened on the foam under the chin to modify the collar's height. This kept my jaw up and stopped the mouth opening for a few months, but I think the foam broke down or compressed and I started whooshing again so it was back to taping!

For people that use a foam cervical collar to handle jaw dropping, how often do you need to replace the collar? My adjustable cervical collar has super LOUD velcro that attaches behind the neck. Are all cervical collars like that? If I put it on too loose, I have to RIPPPP! the velcro off and reposition it.

Darth Lady wrote:I'd definitely try a mask liner, like Padacheek, with that - I have an F10, and when my mouth falls partly open at night, the shape of my face changes enough to cause leaking at the bottom corners of the mask, with, yes, a whooshing noise. While a Ruby chinstrap helped, using a liner seems to seal up the last crannies, so my leaks are a lot less .

Hi Darth Lady,

Thanks for your reply! So, are you using both the Padacheek mask liners and the Ruby chinstrap? Also, do you have any issues with increased leakage when sleeping on your side or tossing and turning?

palerider wrote:you are more than welcome, and I hope you have good luck with the F10, it's a popular mask.

also, I second librarylady's recommendation of mask liners, Karen at padacheek.com is a really nice lady who started her business to help folks like us sleep better... and she offers a quality product, and will tell you if she doesn't think it'll help you, instead of just taking your money and running.

Thanks, palerider! I had used Remzzz liners with my ComfortGel nasal masks but found them a little annoying to use. The Padacheek liners looks promising since they are fitted around the mask instead of loose between your face and the mask.

SleepySunflower wrote:

Darth Lady wrote:I'd definitely try a mask liner, like Padacheek, with that - I have an F10, and when my mouth falls partly open at night, the shape of my face changes enough to cause leaking at the bottom corners of the mask, with, yes, a whooshing noise. While a Ruby chinstrap helped, using a liner seems to seal up the last crannies, so my leaks are a lot less .

Hi Darth Lady,

Thanks for your reply! So, are you using both the Padacheek mask liners and the Ruby chinstrap? Also, do you have any issues with increased leakage when sleeping on your side or tossing and turning?

Darth Lady (or whichever Lady I am today, PR ) replies: Yes, that's what I'm doing. The Ruby chin strap (search that on Amazon; it will come right up) stays in place well, unlike some of the others at least for some of us. I also use a buckwheat hull pillow (CPAPfit, also available on Amazon), which you can mold to accommodate your mask. That seems to keep it under control pretty well.

I have the worst problems when I'm on my back. Avoiding sleeping that way also helps (in many ways; usually you need less pressure when you are not on your back), but sometimes I need to do it for back and hip pain.

Another hint I can offer is to use a hose control system, like a Hose Buddy, or a home-made system with rubber bands - something to hold the hose up over your head (perhaps hanging from the headboard). Having the hose yanking on the mask as you turn over in bed is a surefire way to shift it on your face, causing leaks. Getting that hose off of your bed will be the best thing you ever did for yourself, CPAP-comfortwise.