speaking if Hybrid

new2 · Post by **new2** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 11:59 am

Just got back from Massachusetts where my mother had heart valve surgery and Mom's cardiologist and I got on the subject of CPAP and OSA. He told me he and another cardiologist in his practice both have OSA and are wearing the Hybrid. He said that mask is the best thing he's seen in 10 years. he also said I could close off one of the holes if I wanted because there was enough washout for two noses (I get high leak rates with my Resmed Elite).
Is he right?

greyhound · Post by **greyhound** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 12:03 pm

I've had similar thoughts about plugging some of the exhaust holes to correct excessive leaks. As long as the actual leak rate is at least equal to the mask's "intentional leak rate", what harm is done by plugging some of the exhaust holes. What's the difference if the air is exhausted under the chin, for example, or through the holes?

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:51 pm

Not sure that I would plug up or not, but I was just wondering..... what material is used most commonly for plugging vent holes?

Arizona-Willie · Post by **Arizona-Willie** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 6:21 pm

I used a round toothpick. Just shoved it in till it would wedge in there and marked it with a pen and then pulled it out and broke it off and shoved it in the hole again.

Seemed to work ok. I left just enough to get ahold of and put the extra little bit on the inside so it wouldn't stick out and scratch. There is plenty of room inside so that it doesn't touch me either.

But I gave up on the hybrid and am waiting for the new headgear and hopefully for an improved version.

greyhound · Post by **greyhound** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:45 pm

I've been thinking of just using medical tape to cover the exhaust holes. That way I can easily take it off for cleaning and to make any needed adjustments.

tooly125 · Post by **tooly125** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 9:24 pm

Electrical tape will block the hole.
I would only block one though because when I tried two it felt stuffy in the mask which probably is not a good sign.
Since then I have purchased a machine with recording capabilitys and found with all holes unplugged I have an AHI of less than 1.0 consistently.
As long as the AHI is good I don't care what the leak data says.

sidesleeper · Post by **sidesleeper** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:16 pm

taping up one hole won't hurt. There is a big washout with the hybrid. I would only do it if the alarm were going off from the leak rate (and you know your not leaking)

rdjw · Post by **rdjw** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:50 pm

Interesting. I just got my Hybrid today and am really hopeful that it will be the thing I have been looking for. The technician at my sleep center covers her ears and yells "LA LA LA LA LA..." when I mention "tape."

So, Sidesleeper - please explain term "washout?"

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:56 am

please explain term "washout?"

Most CPAP masks have what is know as passive exhalation port flow. This is just a long name for a few holes. The job of these holes is to provide a place for your exhaled CO2 to exit the mask. The mask manufacturer usually supplies a graph showing the amount of this flow at various pressures. It is easier to say "washout" than passive exhalation port flow.

You can find some more information here:
http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/

speaking if Hybrid

speaking if Hybrid

Plugging holes