Aloha Pillow Mask Review

[Starlette]

Sorry it took so long to get out.


Comparison of two mask: Swift FX for Her and Aloha
WINNER: Aloha!

PILLOWS
• 2nd night both nose and nares became comfortable with the pillows
• Pillow is different in texture, much firmer which I REALLY like. The feel is more cushiony.
• Doesn't need to be tight for a great fit which doesn’t increase leaks which is surprising. I really thought the design of the pillows would be intrusive on my face and interruptive on my sleep which hasn’t been the case because of the pillow design. It reminds me of a little squishy square box.
• Angle adjustment before going to bed, I have it in all the way. When I wake up, the dial (prongs) is set on the third notch on both sides.
• No longer using Lansinoh as I did with Swift FX for Her

SEAL & LEAKS
• Awesome seal – Any pillow leaks can be dealt with right away laying down and off to dreamsville ya go!
• Leak reports – Three out of four nights were pretty good. The fourth, I’m not going to worry about.

HEADGEAR
• Very comfy. As the women has stated, I would like to see a smaller headgear created for smaller heads.
• I use forward strap insert for top strap. Top strap didn’t work for me.
• I’ll also be attaching Velcro to the side straps due to my small head
• No longer create ponytail to secure headgear for Aloha as I did for Swift FX for Her

HOSE MANAGEMENT
• One thing that is surprising is now I have the option of flipping the hose over my head which didn’t work with the Swift FX. Love that I have that option now. Don’t need to at the moment. Hose is very light.

CHINSTRAP
• I put on after I put on mask. Currently considering getting a new chinstrap.

FACIAL MARKINGS
• Some, but they don’t last

MISCELLANEOUS
Mask status will be as follows:
Swift FX for Her – Secondary Mask. However, as Squid told NateS (Aloha vs Opus 360 Mask), “I’ll take poor Swift FX out of hiding for a one night fling every now and then….” *Still chuckling*
Mirage SoftGel Nasal Mask – When I can’t use Aloha due to runny nose, colds, allergies, etc.
ComfortGel Blue – Soon to disappear
Ultra Mirage FFM – Soon to disappear

SUMMARY:
Aloha will be my primary mask. SleepyHead data is looking great. I’ve not yet arrived at 0.0 AHI.
Currently my only complaint is too dry nares. Tonight, I’ll be increasing humidity to 4.

[avi123]

Mirage SoftGel Nasal Mask – When I can’t use Aloha due to runny nose, colds, allergies, etc., This is the mask that I prefer over the Swift FX, b/c it is more sturdy and does not get disloged by the air hose or the chinstrap.

[rosacer]

Great report

Could you please add some comments about the sleeping position, kind of pillow do you use, chin strap? Thanks Stalette

[NateS]

Thanks for such a thorough and well-organized analysis, Starlette!

I found this comment especially interesting:

• Angle adjustment before going to bed, I have it in all the way. When I wake up, the dial (prongs) is set on the third notch on both sides.

On several mornings, I have noticed that the prongs have been at a different position than where I thought I had set them - all the way in - the night before, and I had wondered whether maybe I had just been careless in setting them. Are you suggesting that perhaps they are self-adjusting? I'll have to watch that more carefully. If so, that would certainly be another amazing new feature for this mask!

Very interesting! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krD4hdGvGHM

Best regards, Nate

[Starlette]

@ NateS - Yes, I suppose I'm suggesting that. Like I said, I wake up to the same setting every morning, 3rd notch on both sides. *chuckles at the video*

@ Rosacer - I'll respond tomorrow. Done with the dishes and Hubbs has for some time with his wife. Being treated out for some yogurt, yay!!!

[Elle]

I noticed the prongs pull out further with an unintentional tug when rolling over and one time came out on one side.

I too noticed the dry nostrils and after adjusting humidity to 5 it was better.

[jacks321]

Thanks Starlette great review, very informative, answered questions I never thourght I needed answered.

[rosacer]

@ Rosacer - I'll respond tomorrow. Done with the dishes and Hubbs has for some time with his wife. Being treated out for some yogurt, yay!!!

I'm so jealous Yogourt Yum Yum Yum, Enjoy Starlette

[Issac]

So...this Aloha has intelligent pillows that self adjust during the night.
What in the world will they think of next ?

[portiemom]

Great review Starlette, I too noticed that on the side I sleep on most, the pillow did slip in one notch, I checked this doing a 5 morning check, and 4 times it slipped in 1 notch, I also set it to the third position, slipped to 2nd which for me prevented leaks that I get with the swift Lt, and the breeze. Could be a weird coincidence, who cares, I LOVE THIS MASK. I would add that, when I tightened this mask too much, it did not leak, but my AHI went up significantly, left deeper strap marks, but they go away fast. Karen may want to research this fab material the side covers are made of. It's soft, stable and cool to the face. All other covers ie. swift light, do wiggle and slip, and add to the heat factor

[Starlette]

@ Rosacer
Sleeping position - Side-sleeper
Pillow - Tempurpedic, I use the side-sleeper side
Chinstrap - Respironics deluxe chinstrap

@ Portiemom

when I tightened this mask too much, it did not leak, but my AHI went up significantly, left deeper strap marks, but they go away fast. Karen may want to research this fab material the side covers are made of. It's soft, stable and cool to the face.

I agree with you on the mask tightening. I really like the material also.

[jimnsc]

Outstanding review - there is nothing I could add except my pillows "self-adjust" to the 4th notch. Had I been introduced to the Aloha at the onset of my treatment I could have purchased a spare machine for what I've spent on masks.

Twinkle Starlette

[NateS]

On this "self-adjusting" issue, I am wondering whether there might be another explanation. I take the mask off in the morning by lifting the back strap and pulling the straps up and forward over my head. I am wondering now whether that's when the pillows get cranked back partly out of hooks - when I take it off in the morning rather than self-adjusting during the night.

I like the "self-adjusting" explanation better and it sounds wonderful if true. I am just now wondering whether there is a less exotic explanation and that it just happens during removal of the mask.

For those finding the pillows on a different setting in the morning, how do you take your Aloha off?

Maybe I will try putting the mask on at full insertion and immediately taking it back off and see where the prongs/hooks land. Can anyone else please try that too?

Regards, Nate

[Elle]

Unless there is a teeny magician in the mask the prongs are "adjusting" when you nudge them out of place with movement. To think it is anything other than that defies the laws of physics.

[xenablue]

Starlette - thanks for the awesome review on the Aloha! Great details!

I'm picking up my latest version SleepWeaver next week, but the Aloha is definitely on the top of the list for my next mask if I don't break down and just buy it anyway.

Cheers,
xena