My experience with the Hybrid vs. Mirage Liberty

[ChelseaChestnut]

I took advantage of the loaner program from sleep nation tv and tried out the Hybrid. I did not actually sleep with the mask, only laid down on my bed and checked it out. Unfortunatly, it's not going to work for me. I had the same problem as I did with the Mirage Liberty. The shape of the mask forced my mouth to close, and then I couldn't breath. I also felt like the nasal pillows were going to pop out with the slightest movement. I did not experience any problems with the nasal pillows on the Mirage Liberty. The clips on the Hybrid were very tricky. I am sure I could get used to them, but it was very frustrating trying to get them to snap into place all while positioning the chin cup and the nasal pillows. The Mirage Liberty was very easy to clip and unclip.

Now that I know I can not use either of the hybrid type masks, I am now in search of my perfect full face mask, if there is such a thing. The Zzz mask is working for now, but it has a few things that are annoying. If I don't have it resting on the almost tip of my nose, it leaks into my eyes. The headgear is also quirky. I have to readadjust it about once a week and the plastic edge of the tips of the headgear rubs in to my neck if not place just right. It clips on an off easily enough, but could be better.

[Sudsy]

Hello

I tried the liberty and found that if i stayed on my back it was ok. move to my side and then all the leaks began. I used the large with the large pillows because it seem with the small i could not get the leaks to stop.

It also felt like the pillows were going to pop out. I am waiting to try the hybrid out but have not received it yet from the loaner program.

Sudsy

[harry33]

its important to get the correct size mask, this involves measuring the face and trying different brands of masks

if you are a mouth breather, becoming a nose breather will improve your health

[ozij]

For those reading ChelseaChestnut's experience: it took me a couple of weeks (if not more) to set up the Hybrid to give me good therapy -- but it was worth the struggle.
Sometime you can tell, within a very short time, that a mask won't fit, or isn't worth struggling with. But sometimes, the struggle (with a read and re-read of the intructions, and view and re-view of the video) really pays off. I now have a silent, non-hurting full face mask, mask which keeps me from loosing treatment air through my mouth, and ever lets me scratch my nose

In order to get the Hybrid to work, I had to be very careful with my hose routing too -- but there are 3 other full face masks in my home that I couldn't get to work half as well as the Hybrid.

My point is: some masks are worth struggling for -- and it may depend on your facial feature which one is and which is not.

O.