Mask Fit or Jaw Drop Causing Leaks?

[CPAPExplorer]

Hi everyone,

I recently switched from the Airtouch N20 to the Evora full face mask due to a deviated septum and congestion, necessitating mouth breathing during sleep. Despite ensuring that the mask straps are tight enough, I'm encountering leaks. I'm trying to figure out if the leaks are due to the mask fit—whether the straps need to be tighter or if I should consider trying a smaller size mask (SX) as I currently wear size S-M—or if my jaw is dropping during sleep. Any insights or tips on distinguishing and addressing this issue would be greatly appreciated!

Oh! and should I put my Expiratory Pressure Relief on 2 or 3 ? I raised my minimum last night from 6 to 7 and changed EPR to 1 instead of 3.

Pressure 7-9, EPR 1
https://postimg.cc/PPqRnNQm

Pressure 6-9, EPR 3
https://postimg.cc/JHXtsRbK

Thanks in advance!

[Miss Emerita]

The lowest pressure the machine can produce is 4, so you don't get the full benefit of an EPR of 3 unless your minimum is at least 7. Your numbers are pretty good, so if an EPR of 3 feels good to you, then use it, setting your minimum to 7 or 8.

About your mask leaks:

Try watching a video or two about how to fit your new mask. Often it helps to loosen straps rather than tighten them, which is counterintuitive, but looser straps can allow the silicone or foam interface to conform more easily to your facial contours.

You can try using a chin strap to see whether that helps. I've seen people give a thumbs-up to the Knightsbridge strap, which pulls the jaw up rather than up and back.

I'd suggest trying those two things one at a time, so that you can see which one does or doesn't help. Your next experiment might be a different mask size, as you suggest.

Do the leaks bother you? As far as your therapy goes, they're fine. Even that little bit of leakage above 24 is so close to 24 that the machine is probably compensating just fine.

But let me ask the obvious question: why are you using the machine for only 4-5 hours per night?