Tried the new Hybrid Mask

kjarels · Post by **kjarels** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:17 pm

And I must say this is by far the worse mask I have tried. No matter what I have tried the leaks are still there. I have a Resmed Elite cpap machine and it continues to tell me that the fitting is very poor. I wish I could return it for a refund but I realize after you try something thats been on your face they can't refund. By the way I did not purchase it from this site.

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:46 pm

Sorry to hear that you are having such problems with the Hybrid. Leaking is a problem for me as well, but the advantages of the Hybrid are such that I have been trying different sizes and methods to keep the leaks under control.

I've experimented with the different size combinations, and now use the small oral cushion with the medium nasal pillows set low on the mask. It seems that there are many combinations that can be tried without even considering using one medium and one small nasal pillow, etc.

A tip I picked up on another forum may be of some use to you. There is a product, called Mack's Pillow Soft Earplugs ( http://www.macksearplugs.com/) that is made of Silicone Putty. Using the earplug as a putty, I have been able to cut the leak rate way down.

Just roll the plug between your hands until you get a long rope (I usually do this in sections). Place the rope around the oral cushion, gently pressing on it to hold it in place. When you put on the mask, the warmth of your skin will cause the silicone to mold itself to your face. It is just sticky enough to stay in place until you remove the mask. It should be good for a few days use before it loses its "stick-ablility," even with taking it off and reshaping it every night.

It's not a perfect solution, and it doesn't eliminate all leaks, but it is a fairly cheap way to reduce them. And it beats giving up!

Good luck,
Susan

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): nasal pillow, Nasal Pillows

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:16 pm

Have you tried Roosters fitting tips? I think they are they best instructions around for fitting the Hybrid.

viewtopic.php?t=14422

Keep in mind everyone is different and will have success with different masks. Try posting in great detail what the problem is with the hybrid(where does it leak, does it leak all night, does it always leak from the same spot, etc).If you really can't get it to work for you, sell it on cpapauction.com.

Brenda

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:35 pm

Thanks for the link, Brenda!

Those are great directions.

Susan

roster · Post by **roster** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:37 pm

It is a great mask for me. Getting the sizes right and the headgear adjusted properly can take some time and study.

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:43 pm

Great tips, Rooster!

BTW, I believe need the chin cup to keep my jaw from dropping open, but I have found that the end of a panty liner will protect my chin from the irritation you mentioned. Once I get my replacement cushion I will try cutting it off the old one to see if I can get a better fit that way.

Thanks,
Susan

roster · Post by **roster** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:48 pm

Perchancetodream wrote:Great tips, Rooster!

BTW, I believe need the chin cup to keep my jaw from dropping open, but I have found that the end of a panty liner will protect my chin from the irritation you mentioned. Once I get my replacement cushion I will try cutting it off the old one to see if I can get a better fit that way.

Thanks,
Susan

Susan,

I need to update that post after I do some experimenting. Someone here said you can fold the chin flap back and tape it to the mask. This would be one way to do trials sans chin flap without permanently removing the flap.

Roost

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:50 pm

Why not just get a mask that fits and doesn't have all the leak problems of the Hybrid??

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 5:56 pm

The Hybrid lets me wear my glassed and read a book while letting the PurSleep essential oils relax me to sleep. If there were another option, I'd love to try it.

Susan

WearyOne · Post by **WearyOne** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 7:30 pm

I found cutting off the chin flap works great for me. I don't know if everyone who has cut off the chin flap is, eh, shall we say, not of ideal weight like myself, but for me, that "extra stuff under the chin" seems to be what makes the chin flap cause leaks. The mask is fine, unless I tilt my head forward. When I do this in the least, the, um, "extra stuff" under my chin pushes the chin flap out a little, which is just enough to make the mask leak. Cutting the chip flap off eliminates that problem.

For me, the Liberty is great in that it doesn't have that chin flap to begin with, and although the Liberty is now my second favorite, it still doesn't seal as well for me as the Hybrid (Plus, I like the high vent rate the Hybrid has.).

Pam

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): seal

kjarels · Post by **kjarels** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:32 pm

That my Resmed says poor fitting?? No matter what I have done the Resmed still says poor or very poor fitting.

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 8:37 pm

Not sure what criteria ResMed is using. Do they list the Hybrid or the Liberty on the list of masks?

marymoon · Post by **marymoon** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:24 pm

I *despised* my Hybrid when I first got it back in April. It leaked horribly and was a bear to get situated every night. I don't know if the silicone just needed to soften up or what, but after a couple months, it just suddenly stopped leaking and fit perfectly every single night! As a mouth breather, it is my favorite mask.

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:01 pm

The Hybrid is by far my favorite mask. No other mask teaches you to breath with your nose and still allow you to mouth breathe whenever you want. I find it very comfortable.
You have such an unlimited sizing selection. if you play around with all the pillows and mouth cushion combinations, your sure to find a fit. If you nose is small, try a rubber band around the pillows to bring them very close together.

Maryb · Post by **Maryb** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:10 pm

I like the hybrid too and have been using it exclusively since it first came out.
It completely eliminated my mouth leaking problem.

I use the chin flap because it holds the mask in place. I tried cutting the chin flap off and then the mask wandered all over my face. I cut a piece of cheesecloth to stuff into the chin flap against my skin but I like the idea suggested above of using part of a panty liner. I'll try that.

Also, I've always had problems with leaks around my right nare.
The nasal pillow are a bit too oblong for me. I have round nares. Anyway, last night I substituted one large nasal pillow on the right side and kept the medium pillow on the left. Voila! No more leaks!

Maryb

Tried the new Hybrid Mask

Tried the new Hybrid Mask

Couild the high vent rate be the reason