Hybrid Mask Pressure Question

[Guest]

Is there an upper pressure limit for use of the new Hybrid mask?

I read an article in the Collective Wisdom section that showed over 70 on the mask leak index at higher pressures. Unfortunately, I don't know what the leak index means so I don't know if this is good or bad (but I think it is bad).

I will be getting my first machine and mask soon and would like to know as much as I can before I deal with the DME.

Thanks,
Susan

[birdshell]

All I can tell you is that we have members who use the Hybrid successfully at higher pressures. One uses a pressure of 18. Then, there are others who don't find it works for them.

The Liberty is another mask, very similar to the Hybrid, but sans chin flap and with improved nasal pillows, IMHO. I have a moderate pressure, but I suspect that the Liberty may meet your requirements.

Best of all masks to you! Remember, I don't think ANYONE has found the perfect mask yet!



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

[Guest]

Thanks for your response and the information!

The tech at the sleep clinic talked about the Hybrid when I was in for the titration, as she was hooking me up. (Unlike some clinics - I guess - this one also sells the equipment.)

Susan

[comtech5]

I've been using a TeleFlex Hybrid for about a week. My first impression was that it was like breathing through two straws (I've never used nasal pillows before), so that was a shock and takes some getting used to (if you can). Second, it does start leaking (from sides near mouth) late into the night but I havn't been able to figure out exactly why yet. But then again, all of my full face masks leak from the sides as well. This is turning into quite a quagmire.

[Perchancetodream]

I read on another forum that someone used the smaller cushion and that stopped his leaking problem.

For myself, I have only used the full face mask at the sleep clinic. The nasal mask caused my sinuses to feel congested, but my understanding is that the hybrid can also be used by mouth breathers so if the congestion returns I will still be able to breathe.

Susan

[inacpapfog]

As to the side leaks on the Hybrid, I find that to happen more often when on my back. Once relaxed, facial muscles just seem to fall away from mask! I can usually solve this by tightening the straps.

[oceanpearl]

Mine which has been used for about a week is up for grabs. All three face plates, prongs and new headgear are included.What do you have to offer??

[tillymarigold]

Mask leak index is just how much air is vented through the exhaust holes. The Hybrid does have a high leak rate but I doubt that affects treatment.

I mostly get leaks at the nasal pillows and it's usually because my mask needs a good cleaning. Unfortunately it's hard to put back together after cleaning, so I try not to take it apart too often. But I do wipe it down at least once every couple days with Method wipes and I also do take it apart and clean it with their dish soap once a week or so.

Comtech5, are you using the right size pillows? With properly fitted pillows and appropriate humidification, you shouldn't feel the air at all (well, my pressure maxes out at 12, so I don't know about higher pressures than that, but I can't feel the air in my nose at all).

Perchancetodream, the problem was more likely the lack of humidifier causing congestion, not the mask itself.

[Perchancetodream]

Mask leak index is just how much air is vented through the exhaust holes. The Hybrid does have a high leak rate but I doubt that affects treatment.

I thought that the air was supposed to be vented out through the exhaust holes?

The humidifier was turned on. We live in the high desert of California and the sleep clinic was down near Palm Springs. They always use a humidifier for tests. (We run a couple of the household air humidifiers year round at home!)

Thanks for all the info everyone!

Susan

[tillymarigold]

Mask leak index is just how much air is vented through the exhaust holes. The Hybrid does have a high leak rate but I doubt that affects treatment.

I thought that the air was supposed to be vented out through the exhaust holes?

It is, but the machine doesn't know that. So the software will tell you an absolute leak rate, and you have to know what the mask's leak rate is to tell whether you have any additional leaks you shouldn't have. (The exception being Resmed machines, you tell them what sort of mask you have and they do the math automatically.)

The humidifier was turned on. We live in the high desert of California and the sleep clinic was down near Palm Springs. They always use a humidifier for tests. (We run a couple of the household air humidifiers year round at home!)

Really? I also live in the high desert, and they don't use humidifiers here for the tests. There may be in-hospital air humidifiers, I don't know.

It's been crazy humid here this summer though, our swamp cooler's not doing jack because the humidity rarely drops below 40%. We even had a day last week with 95% humidity!

[Perchancetodream]

Now I understand! Thanks so much for taking the time to explain that. I feel much better about the high score it got on the Index.

I did ask the tech about the humidifier and she told me that they always start the mask test with it on.

I think Albuquerque may be a little higher than we are; our elevation is only 3000 feet (in California that is considered High Desert ), and the humidity is usually in the single digits. Except now, when we are waiting for the monsoon rains. We keep hoping, although so far we've had nothing but clouds.

Thanks for your help.

Susan

[roster]

Hybrid Mask Adjustments: Just One Man’s Opinion at One Point in Time (updated 12/28/2006)


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