Swift FX for Her question (ear irritation)

[DottyG]

I know this topic has to have been discussed at some point, but I'm not finding it in my search. If it has, could someone help me out by directing me to the right thread. I've found a lot of answers to other questions about the mask, but not the one I'm searching for!

I just got a new mask - this time the Swift FX for Her. It's so much more comfortable than the LT! I might actually start using my machine again. (The LT had become such a pain that I stopped using the machine at all - I found myself getting so angry at night trying to get that stupid mask situated that it eventually wasn't worth even bothering with. I sure wasn't getting any rest. Plus, the darn thing leaked so badly that even if I did start to doze off, I'd awaken with air blowing on my face.)

I love the new mask except for one little thing. The silicone piece near my ears is rubbing and causing discomfort.

I have 2 sets of the little wraparound cover things that were sent with the mask. I did kind of a makeshift thing with both sets to cushion that little piece as much as possible last night. However, that was more of a quick fix type thing to let me get some rest last night; I need something more cushionier and more permanent than that for the long-term.

Anyone have any solutions that they've found?

The mask seems to be fitting correctly. It's just that one piece on each side that's kind of digging into the top of my ears.

[DreamLady]

I also have a very tiny face, and I keep the silicone piece 'ear' piece that the back strap goes through just above the level of my ears, then the piece that goes at the back of my head I snug up to hold the pillows in place. It's a delicate balance of getting everything adjusted just right, but once you do, the pillows are awesome! You might be trying to pull it too tight? I found it worked it best if I not do anything to disort the natural curve of the silicone, and just keep fiddling until I find the right combo. If you are cranking the pillows in too tight with the back strap, that could cause the problem you described.

For me the 'sweet spot' seems to be with the silicone a little longer than I would think appropriate, then the back strap stays where it belongs better.

If that won't work for you, perhaps someone else will have a suggestion that will work.

[robysue]

I love the new mask except for one little thing. The silicone piece near my ears is rubbing and causing discomfort.

I had a similar problem---the spot where the slicone and the cloth backstrap come together was digging into my head in some of my favorite sleep positions. I think the silicone piece you're talking about just may be that same place that was irritating to me. I solved my problem by going to Pad-a-Cheek. The owner Karen is a poster here (under the name of padacheek, if I recall correctly) and she's got a website at padacheek.com. The standard cheek pads at http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_SwiftFX.html were not what I wanted. I wanted something that covered the area where the backstrap comes into the headband. I emailed Karen with a description of what I wanted. She emailed me back with instructions on how to order what I wanted. And when it came, I was delighted. My Swift FX pad goes all the way around my head and keeps all the silicone from the mask's frame from touching me.

Karen also makes and sells barrel cozies for the Swift FX's pillows that will prevent the bottom (barrel) part of the pillows from hitting and rubbing and irritating the area below your nose and above your upper lip too.

[Janknitz]

Be sure to check out the video on ResMed's website for the Swift FX (it's pretty much the same as the FX for her except the FX is reported to have a few more notches in the top silicone strap).

If you have the headgear placed correctly, it should be midway between your eyes and ears, and shouldn't be touching your ears.

[robysue]

Be sure to check out the video on ResMed's website for the Swift FX (it's pretty much the same as the FX for her except the FX is reported to have a few more notches in the top silicone strap).

If you have the headgear placed correctly, it should be midway between your eyes and ears, and shouldn't be touching your ears.

But if your head is really, really small (like mine is) and you've got that top strap on one of the tightest notches (and it's still plenty loose), that place where the back strap comes in winds up being closer to the ear than ResMed intends for them to be. But since the size of the strap from the pillows to that point is not adjustable, there's not really much you can do except try to protect the top of the ear a bit. Or have the strap too close to your eyes for comfort.

[DottyG]

I think robysue is getting which piece I'm talking about (and I'm going to try your suggestion - thanks! )

For the others of you who might not be understanding the piece I'm talking about - see the picture here: http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-dis ... P-Mask.htm

There is a little piece of silicone that sticks out slightly right where the top of her ear is. It's not covered by the thingamajiggy (it has a name, but it's been a long day, and my brain isn't remembering it at the moment) that you can put over the cheek strap. It's kind of in the middle of the strap that goes around the back of the head.

In fact, I would suspect that the lady in the picture would, if she were lying down, have that little piece right in the top of her ear. I can see where it is even in the picture.

[robysue]

Yep, DottyG, we're talking about exactly the same part of the mask. I think the Pad-a-Cheek cover for the whole silicone part of the mask will work for you since it completely covers that particular part of the mask. You have to pull the pad-cover back a bit to loop the back strap through it's hole. And then pull the pad-cover back over that part when you put the pad-cover back on to the mask. It's not hard to do.