Swift LT user looking for a quiet FF mask

[feeling_better]

OK, this topic has been probably covered many times before. I did a bit of searching around, but thought would ask anew, since products might have changed. I have only used nasal cushions so far in 9 months, Swift LT is my favorite, quietest. I also like the very light, uncluttered headgear, the swiveling elbow connection, and the very flexible connecting tube.

I feel I need to get a backup full face mask for those times when I might get a cold. So far I have not had any experience with a FF, never even put one on. So any help is appreciated.

I am a slide sleeper, use very low pressures; extremely sensitive to noise. I have seen references to a Soyala type being very quiet, but that was a nasal type. Some people mentioned Soyala FF may be very quiet too. So any suggestions?

BTW, neither one of my DMEs carry Soyala; anybody knows if Soyala is carried by any DME? I probably should look at other brands than Soyala. Has Resmed got any good quiet FF ones?

[plr66]

Well I just went through the very same process of wanting a FF mask for the "just in case" scenario. I am a die-hard Swift LT user, and had a lot of trouble with early-on trials of nasal masks and FF masks. Last week, I tried out the Ultra Mirage FF mask and was really amazed at how easy it was to sleep on my side without even noticing it. Stayed in place without leaking, and I really didn't even know I had it on when I awoke in the night. Seems even quieter than my LT. Not interested in switching, as it does leave a major ring on my face in the morning for several hours....but it sure was a pleasant surprise, and is now in my ready-supply.

[feeling_better]

Well I just went through the very same process of wanting a FF mask for the "just in case" scenario. I am a die-hard Swift LT user, and had a lot of trouble with early-on trials of nasal masks and FF masks. Last week, I tried out the Ultra Mirage FF mask and was really amazed at how easy it was to sleep on my side without even noticing it. Stayed in place without leaking, and I really didn't even know I had it on when I awoke in the night. Seems even quieter than my LT. Not interested in switching, as it does leave a major ring on my face in the morning for several hours....but it sure was a pleasant surprise, and is now in my ready-supply.

plr66, Thank you for the prompt reply with encouraging info. What pressure do you use? I use 4-5cm, yes that low What was the exact model of the FF? Do you have a link to it? The reason for this extra query is that there may be multiple models with very similar names for a company, with quite different user experience for each. Thanks.

[plr66]

plr66, Thank you for the prompt reply with encouraging info. What pressure do you use? I use 4-5cm, yes that low What was the exact model of the FF? Do you have a link to it? The reason for this extra query is that there may be multiple models with very similar names for a company, with quite different user experience for each. Thanks.

Sorry. Here's a link for that mask. I am very aware that face shapes have everything to do with whether a mask can work for any of us, so my experience may or may not be of value to you. My pressure is at 10, and I use the Small/shallow size of this mask.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

PS--I can hardly believe that you can breathe at all with a pressure that low!!

[feeling_better]

Sorry. Here's a link for that mask. I am very aware that face shapes have everything to do with whether a mask can work for any of us, so my experience may or may not be of value to you. My pressure is at 10, and I use the Small/shallow size of this mask.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

I just looked at it. I also saw a FF with a nasal pillows type there. It looks so much less cluttered, and close to our LT. Did you try that at all?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/mirage ... llows.html

PS--I can hardly believe that you can breathe at all with a pressure that low!!

I fully appreciate your disbelief. That would be the typical reaction of most users in this forum. I have run with Auto 4-5, and most of the time it is staying at 4, and I hardly have any OA's at all, a few isolated FLs and Hs. I was diagnosed with AHI of 30, and initial prescription was for 6cm. I do have much obstruction. If even slightly higher pressure is set such as 6cm or 7cm, AHI and especially HI starts really goes up fast!! Yes, I understand, rather uncommon My AHI is now typically below 2 with auto 4-5!!

[plr66]

I just looked at it. I also saw a FF with a nasal pillows type there. It looks so much less cluttered, and close to our LT. Did you try that at all?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/mirage ... llows.html

Well I hate to be the only responder here. I know there are a lot of fans of the Liberty "hybrid" mask as well as this Hybrid mask https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=2204&PAID=301.
However, I was looking for a FF mask without the nasal pillows for when I'm all clogged up & snotty. Can't imagine dribbling into the nasal pillows all night while trying to breathe through my mouth into the mask Yuk.

[CpapMasks]

My tech in the sleep lab prefers the Fisher 431 or 432. We use all brands of masks on all types of people and that seems to be their mask of choice. Full Face Masks are a tough road to go down......it boils down to patient preference, and we all have different opinions. I'd suggest you call your local sleep lab, and ask them if you can stop by and see and "hear" what full face masks they have, before you spend extra money. cpapmasksonlinedotcom

[feeling_better]

Well I hate to be the only responder here. I know there are a lot of fans of the Liberty "hybrid" mask as well as this Hybrid mask https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=2204&PAID=301.However, I was looking for a FF mask without the nasal pillows for when I'm all clogged up & snotty. Can't imagine dribbling into the nasal pillows all night while trying to breathe through my mouth into the mask Yuk.

plr66, I thank you very much for continuing to respond. I would not have thought of the problem with the hybrid for my purpose --- since I never had a cold after starting on cpap. Also, even though I had heard the 'hybrid' term so many times, only now I know what it is So far this single thread has saved me many hours of research. Thank you again for responding so many times.

[echo]

feeling-better, snoredog has often said that the Soyola FFM is a piece of crap compared to the nasal one.

I personally found that the Liberty was veeeeeery quiet. I use the UMFF so I can only speak for that one - it's not very quiet and mine gets the squeaky hissing thing happenning to it now and then - very annoying! Also it doesn't fit me well. I've heard good things about the Quattro (and it seems that if the Quattro fits you well then the UMFF won't and vice versa), but I can't attest to its noisyness.

[feeling_better]

feeling-better, snoredog has often said that the Soyola FFM is a piece of crap compared to the nasal one.

I personally found that the Liberty was veeeeeery quiet. I use the UMFF so I can only speak for that one - it's not very quiet and mine gets the squeaky hissing thing happenning to it now and then - very annoying! Also it doesn't fit me well. I've heard good things about the Quattro (and it seems that if the Quattro fits you well then the UMFF won't and vice versa), but I can't attest to its noisyness.

echo, I was leaning towards UMFF, because I cannot get any Soyala thru my insurance since the DMEs I know do not carry it. Now you gave another reason I probably should look into the Liberty and Quattro...

Regarding the squeaky hissing noise (for Resmed's): This is what I traced it to in my Swift LT. Swift LT has two types of hissing sources.

First type: If I use the small cushions, I get some hissing when I breath out with a bit of force, but it is not there for my normal breathing. Also the medium cushion does not produce this sound, but the medium is a slightly worse fit for me; I do alternate between them. I think, for the small cushion, the combination of its thinner wall and dimensions of the portion of the tube ending inside the cushion is causing it. Since I alternate between the small and medium, I can say with fair certainty this type of noise is size dependent for me.

Second type: This noise is almost a faint continuous high pitch note, either a single note or a combination of notes. The note may get modulated when you breath in or out, sometimes you get one note when you breath in and another when you breath out. This is independent of the cushion size. I am fairly certain that this is caused by the very tiny droplets of water condensing in or at the edge of the small holes. If I heat the hose near the cushion well, use no humidifier, or most importantly if my bed room temperature stays up, this would not happen at all for me.

I am guessing your problem is the latter type for UMFF, with the many small out port holes, similar to that tof LT. If it is, I would be able to eliminate that with the methods I mentioned above.

[echo]

I think you're right, on the second one. The problem is that no matter how well I dry it out the whistle still comes back (and sometimes starts off right when I put the mask on). Very very annoying.

The LIberty's vents are nice because there is no overlap between plastic and rubber, they are just holes in the plastic mask. For the Activa, or the UMFF, for example, you have the air going through the rubber piece, which is set into the plastic mask (or elbow). I wonder if it also has something to do with that?

Good luck with the mask hunting! I'm thinking of trying the Quattro. But the Zzz ffm has also had some good reviews here.

[DreamStalker]

I have tried the 431, 432, UMFF, Hybrid, and Liberty ... I'm definitely a nasal pillow mask user and also find he Swift LT (after trying many others) to be my keeper.

The Hybrid and Liberty are the only ones that I considered keeping after trying the FF masks ... but I'm a strictly nasal pillow type preferred user.

The Liberty fit me best in the end although the Hybrid may well fit others better ... everyone's face is shaped different.

[feeling_better]

I have tried the 431, 432, UMFF, Hybrid, and Liberty ... I'm definitely a nasal pillow mask user and also find he Swift LT (after trying many others) to be my keeper.

The Hybrid and Liberty are the only ones that I considered keeping after trying the FF masks ... but I'm a strictly nasal pillow type preferred user.

The Liberty fit me best in the end although the Hybrid may well fit others better ... everyone's face is shaped different.

So, DreamStalker, can you still use the LT when you have a cold? If not which one do you use at that time?

[DreamStalker]

I wouldn't know ... I have not had a cold or flu since starting my PAP treatment and my sinus related allergies are gone too. I still get irritated eyes due to allergies but no more sinus congestion.

The Liberty is just a backup just in case I do get a cold and cannot breathe through my nose.

[feeling_better]

I wouldn't know ... I have not had a cold or flu since starting my PAP treatment and my sinus related allergies are gone too. I still get irritated eyes due to allergies but no more sinus congestion.

The Liberty is just a backup just in case I do get a cold and cannot breathe through my nose.

DreamStalker, Thanks you have answered the question I had in mind I wanted to know which one you had selected. From the msg I quoted, I thought you did not select any FF since you did not like any at all... Thanks. Do you kindly provide a url to your Liberty? I always check this, because in the past I had gone down the wrong path with an approximate name not knowing the exact model number. Thanks.