Creating Custom Headgear? (not mask)

Now that I've managed to find a full-face (FF) mask I can tolerate, the ResMed Ultra Mirage, I'm interested in improving it's comfort as much as I can.

My principal problem seems to be that by the standards of the people who design the headgear for FF masks (at least the 3 I've tried so far), my head seems to be shaped more like a bowling ball! Specifically, the top portion of every mask's headgear, the 2 straps that go across the temples and attach to the forehead brace (or whatever it's called), is always too high. No matter how much I adjust it, it always seems to slide up the back of my head till it sits on top of my head.

What I would really like to do is take about an inch or so out of the middle of my current headgear. Since I don't really want to risk ruining what already works (however loosely), I would like to take a crack at creating my own custom headgear.

The idea would be to use my current headgear, suitably shortened using pins, as a pattern to cut a new one out of an appropiate material. Then I could have a friend of mine who is rather talented with a sewing machine (she made a really nice hose cover for me when I complained of not being able to find one in a 8' length), hem the edges and attach the velcro.

Voila! Custom headgear, right? Does this sound doable? Has anyone already managed to do this?

Does anyone know what sort of material I should make this out of? Any suggestions where I could find something that would work?

Hello Sick & Tired


I think I know the osa mask you are talking about........Here, try this website:www.sleepapenamasks.com.au

I have had a look at the website and I think it suits those who cannot find the correct mask due to the shape of their faces etc. I have read it and looked at and I think it quite good website.

That is a very interesting concept in nasal masks on that site you provided, but I guess that I wasn't clear enough.

Because I can't draw air through my nose very well, thanks to an accident, I'm forced to use full-face masks.

Also, I was trying to refer to creating my own custom headgear... not mask, but the gear that holds the mask on your head.


Some Thoughts on xPAP Vocabulary:
I noticed when I tried doing some searches for information on this, that some people tend to use that word to refer to all of the gear we're forced to wear on our heads, while others use it to refer to just the straps that hold the mask on.

So, what exactly is headgear? If it does include the mask, then is there a better way to refer to the straps?

Could we get an official ruling on this? <grin>


Perhaps a definition could be added to the CPAPopedia (a great reference resource BTW!!!)...

SickAndTired...I have the exact same problem as you and it drives me nuts. I have also thought about getting my cousin, who's a seamstress, to come here and help me make the headgear shorter. I think we need people to tell us how beautiful we are so our heads will swell....then the headgear will fit...now that might work....

SickAndTired wrote:
What I would really like to do is take about an inch or so out of the middle of my current headgear. Since I don't really want to risk ruining what already works (however loosely), I would like to take a crack at creating my own custom headgear.

I do a lot of sewing and I think I have an easier option. Don't bother making a whole new headgear until you play with the one you have. Take the section that's too big and pinch an inch or so. Then you could use a safety pin to hold that inch out of the way. Try wearing it and see if it does the trick. If it does, anybody who knows how to sew could permanently alter the gear for. I have the same problem with my headgear but I hadn't thought of making it smaller...that makes alot of sense. I would be happy to do the sewing for you...I live in Indiana...where are you?

My principal problem seems to be that by the standards of the people who design the headgear for FF masks (at least the 3 I've tried so far), my head seems to be shaped more like a bowling ball! Specifically, the top portion of every mask's headgear, the 2 straps that go across the temples and attach to the forehead brace (or whatever it's called), is always too high.

Didn't realize my parents must have flattened my head (with a plank?) in infancy until I experienced the same problem with the Breeze headgear.

My latest solution is simply two latex-type cosmetic sponges (the disk shaped ones) attached to the high parts with glue (used repositional dry roll-on stuff). Someone on this message board mentioned using weather stripping for that purpose.

Prior to that I tried stripping off the headgear and substituting various get-ups made of pantyhose. But that always loosened during the night, in part perhaps because the stretch in the material increases as it gets hot and sweaty as the night progresses.

It's good to know that I'm not the only one with this problem!


yawn: I appreciate the sewing offer, but I have a friend who has already made a hose cover for me.

I had thought of trying to shorten my existing headgear temporarily with pins, but I figured that trying to sleep with safety pins poking the back of my head wouldn't be much fun. Since I only have the one set of mask/headgear, I really don't want to risk modifying it.

Any suggestions for what material I should get (and where I can find it)?


gracie97: That sounds like a great way to adjust any headgear that goes over the top of the head. Unfortunately, mine only goes around the back of the head.

If the headgear is made of cloth and not that foamy/rubbery material, have your sewing friend modify it with just a few stitches. You would do the same thing, just pinch an inch and instead of a safety pin, just put in a few hand sewn stitches. You wouldn't be endangering the headgear with just a few stitches (that are easily removed). If you're dealing with the rubbery stuff, you can't really put any stitches into it.
RE: what type of material to use....I guess I would try to find something that's the same "weight" (or thickness) as your current headgear. Hopefully your friend can either "serge" the sides of the material or maybe just do a zig-zag along the edge to prevent fraying (she'll understand this).
Let me know how this turns out for you.
Amy

Thanks for the help Amy!

My headgear is made out of the "foamy/rubbery" material... in fact the headgear on the other 2 FF masks I've tried have used the same sort of material. It doesn't seem to need edging, at least my current one has clean-cut edges.

Do they carry this type of material at most fabric shops? Any idea what this stuff is called (what I should ask for)?

Hi S&T,
I'm not sure I can help you with the rubbery stuff. I haven't seen it at the stores I shop in but then, I also wasn't looking for it. You could try going to a craft store like JoAnn's Etc. or Hobby Lobby and see if they can help you out. You are correct in that you don't need to worry about fraying with this type of material.
You know, I just thought of something Just because it's made of rubber doesn't mean you have to make your custom headgear out of rubber. You could make yours out of a heavy duty cloth....now that's something you could find at JoAnn's...maybe in the back up the store where they have the drapery type material. I'm sure a sales associate could help you out too...or maybe your friend that does your sewing.
Good luck!