Leaky

[jrcpapuser]

Mouth breather - Side sleeper -- Full face mask Machine S9 by Resmed

According to Sleepyhead

Avg Leak rate 25
95% level 40
Max level 45.60
Above threshold 75%+/-

Some new facial hair and I tried changing masks to AirTouch™ F20 Full Face from Mirage Quattro Full Face without much difference.

Suggestions?
Should I be concerned?

[Pugsy]

I would be concerned with anything over 35 L/min that was prolonged in duration and happening night after night.
If it never got over 30 very much and I slept through it...I wouldn't care so much but once you get over 35 it can affect the machines ability to respond, sense, and record.

Facial hair really can screw up the seal.

[jimbud]

My beard is over 2" long.
I normally wear a pillow mask.
I do have a FF mask and have tried it out with my beard.
Leaks are not a problem for me.

It could be that your short facial hair interferes with the seal and if it was longer the hair would mash down and seal better (more or less). Probably would depend on how course your beard is and other factors.
There are a number of members on here with beards.
They are able to control leaks. Others not so much.

Good luck,
JPB

[jrcpapuser]

Should I be able to feel the leak if I'm awake?

I'm sure I do, but if I did it is on the inhalation that the leak occurs-- is this possible?

I tried the "mask fit" feature and the only way to get a happy face was to hold my breath. Is there another problem going on?

[jimbud]

You probably should be able to feel/hear a mask leak.
We do not know what machine/humidifier you have, but you could have a leak where they connect.
You could have a leak in body of the hose or where it connects at the machine/mask.
That's about all I can come up with.

Others may have other ideas.
JPB

[Okie bipap]

If you are using any kind of exhale pressure relief (EPR), the exhale pressure is less than the inhale pressure. The higher the leak, more leak. The mask fit function wil check the mask at the highest pressure the machine is set for. If your machine is set for 4 to 20, the mask fit function will put out 20 cm of pressure. For me, this is about the only time my machine comes close to it's highest setting.