Tiara Full Advantage Full Face Mask

JerryR · Post by **JerryR** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:48 am

I am seriously considering this mask - since I've tried sooooooooooo many others with limited or no success. I tend to be a mouth breather. Can't tolerate taping and can barely tolerate chin straps so FF masks seem to be my best option. I use a ResMed Vpap III machine which has given me good service and is pretty quiet. My most successful, leak free mask is the wonderful Activa. But, as I said, since I tend to be a mouth breather, it isn't working too well for me anymore. Masks I've tried: ResMed UMFF, Comfort Curve, Mirage Swift, F&P HC401 Nasal, F&P HC 431 FF, Activa and the new Hybrid - which I tossed in the trash just this morning. Good concept - needs work. Have been using the F&P 431 for several weeks after retrieving it from the closet where it lives with all the others I've pretty much given up on. Works "ok" but, with my high cm setting - 18 - I have to keep it cranked down onto my face so tight that it is now giving me sores on the bridge of my nose and is just plain uncomfortable. Also, the only way I can keep it from leaking is to sleep on my side with my face kind of pushed into the pillow. I prefer sleeping on my back.
Anyway, back to the Tiara. There are finally two user reviews on CPAP.com for this mask. One rating I'd call "ok" and the other is definitely negative. This mask claims to hold up well to high pressure/air flow which is likely why I have such a tough time finding one that works for me. Has anyone here used this mask successfully at higher settings? One user review said the sides of the mask "blew out" at high pressure - something the manufacturer claims it is designed not to do. Before I invest still more $$ looking for the Holy Grail of cpap masks, I'd sure appreciate any comments from those who have used this mask. Thanks.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:10 pm

Hi, just for the record, I've had agents at 1-2 online companies tell me it's not a popular mask at all (don't know why). It looked good to me too at one point, but I kept checking, ended up with the new FP Flexifit 432 and it's great.

JerryR · Post by **JerryR** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:35 pm

Julie wrote:Hi, just for the record, I've had agents at 1-2 online companies tell me it's not a popular mask at all (don't know why). It looked good to me too at one point, but I kept checking, ended up with the new FP Flexifit 432 and it's great.

Thanks Julie. If I may ask, what is your maximum cm (air volume/pressure) setting? If high like mine (18), does the FP 432 handle it without big time leaks? I've been considering the 432 as well but concerned I would have to keep it cranked down on my face as I do the 431.

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:05 am

Jerry-cpap.com has insurance that you can buy(believe $37)so if before a months time the mask is not a keeper you can return it for refund. Masks are so individualized. I went through same thing. I had seen the F/P Oracle and was very intrigued by the concept. Went on line and researched it and 98% or so people who tried it thought this mask was crap. I decided to order it anyway and all I can say is that I've been in LOVE since July. I had to use my old F/P 431 one night and was shocked as to how heavy it is(never though so when I was using it) and what a pain having to adjust it everytime that I moved. Check and see if you can order through cpap.com and buy the optional isurance. Who knows-this mask COULD be the one for you.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:11 am

I haven't read any positive reviews on it. Tiara used to be popluar with their nasal mask years ago, since there have been a lot of new designs come out and they have seemed to go by the way side as a result.

I would wait until Jan 1 for the Somnotech Yara, I'm using their nasal version of the same mask now and love it, I am also waiting for it to come out, got a email message tonight it will be Jan 1, that is only a couple weeks away so I'm going to hang out till then.

I've used pretty much everything listed in your dud drawer, the Soyala is better than them all even the Activa, I think it even seals better, sure is a lot quieter, I'm hoping the FF Yara version will be just as good, if not I'll
stick with the Soyala and use tape.

You can download a PDF brochure on the new Yara here (scroll down, click on Product catalog Patient Interface), there is a pretty good picture of it in the brochure:

http://www.weinmann.de/1457/?L=1

If it is like their Soyala (Soyala is called Joyce in Germany) it is silent, no hiss or exhaust leak noise at all at 10cm pressure. Exhaust is around the elbow ring and diffused so well you have a difficult time figuring out where it is coming from.

I don't know what it is with their silicone cushion, but it sticks to your face and seals great, my leak rate is around 30L/m, I sleep on my side and don't even worry about knocking it out of place. As for leak, I have rarely been that low before, machine is sure a lot quieter, my UMFF avg'd 50L/m and that extra leak sure added noise.

I have no idea what the Yara will be selling for, I'm sure it will be competitive with the others, cpap.com is supposed to be selling it, they sell the Soyala now.

They are supposed to have two different cushion softness available, the soft for up to 30hpa/cm and hard one for up to 40hpa/cm.

The Somnoplus uses the same exhaust system as the Soyala and the Yara (FF has the entrainment valve built-in the elbow), but exhaust is same, below you can see how the noise level compares to the UMFF and others you may have already used:

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:58 am

Hi - re the FP 432 - my pressure is set quite low, so I couldn't really comment on what happens at high pressure... sorry!

JerryR · Post by **JerryR** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:06 am

Thanks for the comments everyone. I am aware of the return insurance CPAP.com offers on most masks - but not on the Tiara. And, when I originally purchased most of my masks, they did not offer this.
I am intrigued by the Yara Snoredog. I will take a close look at it when time permits. I did order the Tiara yesterday - desperate for a mask that really works and I had some Flexible spending account $$ to use up by 12-31. I will post a review after I have used it for a bit.
I didn't see the Comfort Curve in the comparison of mask noise levels. That thing would be off the charts! Aside from the extreme noise at high pressure levels, I never could stop the darn thing from squealing - even after trying all the tips other folks here suggested.

Mask

Additional Comments: Machine:Resmed S7 Elite; Oracle Mask(YES! My DREAM mask!!)