Anyone use a chin strap with a Liberty hybrid mask?

[sleeping_in_ny]

I have been using CPAP for just a week with a Liberty hybrid mask. The respiratory therapist who fit me started out with too tight a fit and my top lip was numb for the first two days before I figured it out. I refit the mask so it was as loose as possible and still had a snug fit and it was much better, with no discomfort, but I noticed that it occasionally leaked and woke me up. I didn't understand at first why it leaked only sometimes until I realized it was happening just as I was falling asleep and my jaw was going slack. So I took out the chin strap that the respiratory therapist said I would not need (same one who fit me wrong) and put that on the next night. It worked great at first, keeping my jaw from dropping, but it keeps slipping and I wake up and have to move it back. It just barely gets on my chin over the mask, and the straps go over the plastic part of the mask, so of course they are going to slip. Do I just tape the darn thing on? Any ideas? I don't really want to switch to another mask, because this one feels pretty comfortable, otherwise.

[sleeping_in_ny]

Ok, so I'm a newbie and maybe my terminology is not quite right. My mask is a Mirage Liberty full face mask with nasal prongs. Seeing as there were 46 views with no replies, I figured I was barking up the wrong tree, chucked the chin strap and tried re-adjusting the mask. I got it somewhat better by making the upper straps as loose as possible and the lower straps tight enough to keep my chin under control, but I still have some discomfort of my upper lip and occasional air leaks when I move. Do I need to keep trying to perfect the fit? Am I being too fussy and do I just need to get used to the mask? Should I try switching to a different mask, like a nasal mask only?

[roster]

If the mask is fitted properly (right size for your face) and adjusted properly, it will be able to maintain a seal even when your mouth opens. That is what full face masks are for, i.e., allowing the user to breathe through the mouth and still get good therapy.

Here are some tips on adjusting the original Hybrid by Innomed: wiki/index.php/Hybrid_Mask_Modifications
You will find that some of these tips also apply to the Liberty mask.

You may well have been better off to have acquired the original Hybrid by Innomed, however some adjusting may make the Liberty effective for you.

Here is from an old post of mine:

But I do always recommend the Hybrid (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html) over the Liberty because:

1. The Hybrid comes with all three sizes of mouth cushions. The Liberty only one.

2. The Hybrid has a built-in chinflap. The Liberty has no chinflap (Hybrid patent prevents this).

3. If you prefer the mask without a chinflap (as I do), the Hybrid chinflap can be easily cut away with a pair of scissors.

4. Some people have complained that the headgear on the Liberty mask is inferior to the headgear on the Hybrid Mask.

5. On cpap.com the price for the Hybrid Mask is $119 and the price for the Liberty mask is $207 (Those clowns at ResMed!)

IMO the ResMed Liberty is a more expensive and inferior copy of the Hybrid.

Good luck and let us know if you have more questions.

[Irene P.]

I have the Innomed Hybrid mask which is similar to the Liberty Hybrid. It does take quite a bit if fiddling and tweaking to get it right. There are also some lab rat fixes on this site that may be helpful. Just search either liberty mask or lab rat fixes.

[sleeping_in_ny]

Thanks for the replies. I don't seem to be able to get this mask fitted properly. I have an appointment with the respiratory therapist tomorrow. Luckily, I have the option to change masks for the first few months until I get one that works for me.

[xenablue]

I use a Mirage Liberty mask, and use a PapCap chinstrap with it as I was waking up with desert-mouth. Air entering through nasal pillows, exiting through mouth.
I still need to set the mask reasonably snug, but when tried the Innomed Hybrid had to do the same.
Have found though that I don't need the chinstrap nearly as firm as it seems I'm training myself to keep my mouth closed (only during sleep though LOL).

Cheers,
xena