Aura mask... question about pillow size (need small)

[lummusc]

I've been reading about the Aura mask here and I think I would like to try it, but on cpap.com it says it only comes with M and L pillows. With all the masks I've tried, I have to use the small and even petite on some of them. What do all of you use? (pillow size, and have any of you found that the pillows are too large, and you can't use the aura because of it?)

[ozij]

The Aura is strange in that way - most people have found the medium too small for them, and some had to wait for the extra-large to make this wonderful mask work.

I've been using this mask for close to two years, and have recently decapitated it. As long as it was on the headgear - I used medium sized pillows and a folded tennis between the headgear and my head. Headgearless I prefer the large pillows.

Using Rested Gal's pantyhose strap solutions for the the Aure (Headrest / Twilight NP) makes it a very light and versatile mask.

Here are pictures of Linda with the modified (decaptiated Aura).

I dislike the touch of anything on my cheeks - and sometimes I can do fine without the lower strap. However, that second strap does stabilize the mask and lower the leak rate, and I started using it too - took me a couple of nights to get used to it.

The strap are flexible and soft, they keep the pillows in place gently.

Now, for some people, with really narrow, slotted nares nasal pillows masks dont work, but others have reported they do.

The Aura has a brilliant exhaust vent - pointing upwards so it never hits any part of your body, your bedding or your partner.

On the other hand, it really is not the quietest mask around.

You won't know it works for you till you try - but IMHO it's worth the try, beacause once decaptiated, it does'nt rely of the size or shape of your face and nose - it's one of the most versatile masks around.


O.

[lummusc]

Thank you for your response. I may order it then, and try it out. I'll need lots help from you all on how to deconstruct it though.

[ozij]

Use your fingers to disconnect the flexible Aura hose from the the hard plastic hose in the the front - it's a gentle, somewhat repetitive sideways motion where those pieces are connected - no rough pulling - just like you're supposed to do with other hose connections. Stead and gentle, to make sure you don't tear the hose.

When the flexible hose is free of the nasal seal assembly, pull it backwards through the headgear - it slips out very easily. You'll have the short flexible Headrest / Aura hose in one hand, and the rest of the headgear in the other. Put the hose in a safe place away from sharp objects.

Use gardening scissors (secateurs - maybe even normal scissors) to snip the headgear away from the business part of the nasal seal / vent assembly, just at the point where the vertical nasal seal track joins the plastic track coming down from the headgear. A snip for each side - that's all.

Reconnect the flexible hose to the vent and seal mechanism. Here's catnappers picture of what you're left with - the snipping was done at the left, just beneath the curve.

viewtopic.php?p=184374#184374

O.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, Aura, seal

[rested gal]

The pictures ozij referred to of Linda wearing a Headrest (Aura/Twilight NP) mask with homemade straps and all the headgear removed are among the first topics at this link:

LINKS to Evo Medical's HeadRest (previously named Aura and Twilight NP) nasal pillows mask topics
viewtopic.php?t=3098