Ultra Mirage Full Face Noise

[tater pie]

I have been trying to find a full face mask to use since I am a terrible mouth breather. I tried the Respironics Comfort Full Full face mask and it made my nose really hurt and I had to get the straps really tight and it would still leak so I am now trying the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask. It's much more comfortable and doesn't irritate my nose so bad and forms a seal much better. I only have one problem. The exhaust port is really noisy on mine. My new DME who, by the way, has been really helpful and patient, (ain't that a shocker!!!!) seems to think it has some kind of faulty valve in it and is going to get a new one directly from his representative. Do Ultra Mirage Full Face Masks make a lot of noise? If so, has anybody figured out a way to reduce the noise. I really like the mask but the noise is a bummer. I currently use the Breeze Nasal pillows and the exhaust on it makes hardly any noise at all. I would be interested to hear from anybody out there with any information they can give me.

[coffee]

I have heard that there was a bad batch of noisy ultra mirage masks out there... Apparently Resmed will replace the faulty one with a good one. Sounds like you're heading in the right direction by getting a replacement.

[Dot]

I use the Full face mask- Comfort Full- and it only has noise when air is leaking from poor face fitting. Does your mask have the soft plastic added where it touches your forehead. My second mask was one without that extra forehead section and it was very hard to fit right. Last one has that insert and fits much better. Instead of the rounded curve at the top, this one has a flatter area bending inward instead of curving outward and fits much more comfortably. One with the adjustable section that curved outward made my nose real sore. Adjustable flatter section bending in some doesn`t bother my nose.
Glad they are getting you a new one so it will be quieter- it must be defective. Have used 3 of them over the year- none made that loud noise.

[pemoha]

I got a new ultra mirage full face mask at the beginning of April. Mine does make a noise when the machine is turned on and starts to blow but as it warms up the noise stops.

[tater pie]

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't think the Ultra Mirage should sound that loud. I really like the feel of it. I used the Respironics Comfort Full and it really messed up my nose and I just couldn't keep a seal. Your replies about the faulty valve give me some hope. I really appreciate all of the help and advice I get here.

[JiEmiN]

Hi everyone,

I've discovered that the soft silicon membrane of the mask makes the noise (most likely a whistling sound).

One way I've found works is to run water thru the frame of the mask and out of the swivel area where air comes in a for a while and vice-versa.

Alternatively, try removing the anti-asphyxia (the silicon piece in swivel) and roll it between your fingers for a few seconds.

That should save the trouble of making a trip and waiting for the exchange.

[HoseNose]

The first Ultra FF I tried made a lot of noise. Upon close inspection of the exhaust ports, there was a small piece of silicone in one of the holes that did not get completely removed during molding. I picked it out and that solved the exhaust noise.

The big problem with that mask is the very very thin outer skirt on the seal is just to thin for use at higher pressures (I am at 14 cm). Thus all the "farting" sounds others have talked about. If only ResMed would use the Activa seal on the Ultra FF mask, they would really own the full face market. I guess they're waiting to re-coop their investment in the Ultra FF first before the introduce the "Mirage Activa Full Face" mask.

[Guest]

I was getting the whistling sound on mine and it was from the anti-asphyxia valve as well. I found that it takes a certain amount of air pressure to get it to close properly . Its supposed to close fully when air pressure begins and opens in the event of a power failure when air pressure drops. Anyway, I had to set the minimum apap pressure to 6 to stop the whistling. Anything below that was not enough to keep continous pressure on the valve. My mask was fairly new at the time, maybe now that its worn in the valve may be more pliable a require a little less pressure to close it. Haven't checked that yet. So if your noise is a whistle and you are on low pressure check that out.

[loonlvr]

I use this mask and have heard this complaint. I hAD THE SAME PROBELM. iT TURNS OUT THAT THE LITTLE RUBBER HALF MOON LIKE INSERT THAT FITS INTO THE EXHAUST PORT WAS NOT FULLY SEALED. i HAD TO PUSH IT AROUND INTO MASK TO BE SURE IT WAS SEALED,MAKE SURE YOU SEE A LITTLE RIM OF IT INSIDE THE MASK. AND THAT THE HOLES ARE CLEAN. SORRY ABOUT CAPS. I AIN T YELLING.

[ballast949]

The first time I cleaned my mask I got the exhaust port (with the 5 little holes) in backwards when I reassembled the mask. The exhaust noise was VERY loud (but not a whistle). Took about an hour to figure out what was going on. The re-assembly instructions the come with the mask tell you that there is a small bump/nub on the outside of the seal - just make sure you get it on the OUT side.

[tater pie]

Ballast949 you hit the nail right on the head! That was exactly my problem only the DME gave it to me that way. I checked the little exhaust port and it was in backwards and wasn't sealed thoroughly either. I turned it around with the nub on the outside and sealed it and the noise went away. I was wondering if any of you had problems with dry mouth and throat with the full faced masks. I turned my heated humidifier up all of the way and my mouth was still dry. I just had turbinate reduction surgery and my nose is stopped up so I breathed out of my mouth almost completely last night. I used up almost all of the water in my humidifier container (as I said earlier, I had it turned up all of the way) and my mouth still dried out pretty bad. I didn't have any leaks around the mask so I don't think that air leaks caused the dryness either. May when my nose opens up again, maybe the dryness will go away. I hope so. I'm a terrible mouth-breather. That's why I had to go to a full face. I really like the Ultra Mirage. It seals better and is a lot more comfortable than the Respironics Comfort Full Face Mask. I just didn't know if I was doing something else wrong or if anybody else had this problem.

[ballast949]

While I try to breath through my nose most of the night (even with a FF Mask) and I find that the pressure of the xPAP tends to help keep my nose clear, there are times when I fall back to mouth breathing. When I do, I wake up with dry mouth. The humidifier helps some, but it is the mouth breathing that seems to dry out my mouth & throat. On the other hand, before I had the xPAP machine, I woke up every morning with dry mouth & tongue (and a stuffy nose).

[bikernc]

I too use the Mirage FF and had a noisy time!!!! I had the elobow replaced with a new one and no longer have the problem. It could be a combination of problems. I had heard also, that RESMED had recalled a number of the Ultra Mirage FF
Bill

[tater pie]

I'm getting a brand new Ultra Mirage Full Face from my DME's supplier either tomorrow or Monday. That should solve the noise problems. Thanks for your replies about the dry mouth. I went to my sleep doctor today and he said extreme mouth breathers (which I am) just have that problem. At least it's not as bad as before I had cpap treatment. Then I would wake up with sores in my mouth and my lips cracked and peeling. I guess I'm not alone with the dry mouth thing. This is probably a stupid question, but does anyone out there wear a chin strap with the full face mask? If so, does it interfere with the seal around the mask and what kind of chip strap do you use if you do use a chin strap with the full face mask? I wondered if that might help with keeping my mouth from falling open and breathing so much air through it.

[chdurie2]

tater pie-- i'm surprised they didn't give you the F&P 431, which has a chin rest built into the thing to try to keep mouth closed. if you're a serious mouth breather, you can beat that, too, but you might want to try it. also, pre-heat your humidifier to turn off the marching band noise in any mask/nasal pillow device.

caroline