Sizing Tool Reliability, esp. for Nasal Masks

[Ramie]

Do you trust the sizing tools for the CPAP cushions? Are some brands' more reliable than others? I'm struggling with finding good masks, and with the combination of covid restrictions and a very unhelpful respiratory therapist at my medical supply company, I haven't been able to try different sizes on. So I'm stuck at home, printing out sizing guides and making private-pay orders, and since my face isn't the exact proportion of what I think the mask makers consider to be standard, I'm a little less confident about the sizes that the unhelpful person has recommended to me.

One specific one that I'm looking at is the Philips Comfortgel nasal mask. I printed the template and watched the video of a guy being sized, but his face is rounder than mine (the bone structure of my face is a somewhat long and narrow). Width-wise, I'd fit the small cushion, but vertically, it looks like the medium would cover the same amount of nose as the guy in the video. I haven't worn this type of mask yet, so I don't know how high up the nose the nasal mask has to be to keep it from pushing in on the nostrils from above, and I also don't know how far out to the side a nasal mask can go before it leads to leaks with side sleepers.

Any thoughts on either general sizing reliability or the fit of that specific mask?

[LSAT]

I think the Comfort Gel is on the way out. Prices have been reduced down to $33. That would not happen if the mask was going to continue,

[Ramie]

I think the Comfort Gel is on the way out. Prices have been reduced down to $33. That would not happen if the mask was going to continue,

Interesting point. Is there a nasal mask (over the nose style) from Philips that is newer than Comfort Gel? They don't make it easy to figure out which ones are the most up to date.

[chunkyfrog]

Of course it's not. They want to sell masks that will never fit.
I suggested using 3d imagery for no-touch mask matching over ten years ago.
They do it for eyeglasses, but . . . GREED.

[Ramie]

Of course it's not. They want to sell masks that will never fit.
I suggested using 3d imagery for no-touch mask matching over ten years ago.
They do it for eyeglasses, but . . . GREED.

Wouldn't surprise me. And wouldn't that 3d imagery be wonderful? Instead I had a Resp. Therapist watch me attempt to size myself in a zoom meeting, and advised me to get sizes that are too small. On the other hand, if they start using 3d imagery, it will definitely be with a proprietary machine that will make it harder to measure without their involvement.

[chunkyfrog]

Your zoom "fitting" sounds like a DISASTER!
Obviously, the 3d tool would have to be independent of all manufacturers to be useful.
The computing power of most smartphones should be equal to the challenge.
Even a single lens video could be processed to generate fair 3d images.
3d images of different masks could be compiled into an online database,
--with or without permission--as long as the service is non-profit.
Facial recognition is done all the time--mask matching is next.

[babydinosnoreless]

Interesting point. Is there a nasal mask (over the nose style) from Philips that is newer than Comfort Gel? They don't make it easy to figure out which ones are the most up to date.

I don't know about phillips but resmed has an over the nose, the N20, that works well for me. The smaller the better IMO less area to leak from. Take a look at it, if you like I'm sure I have an old small cushion I can send you to give you an idea on sizing.