Aura, Twilight, or Headrest Leak Rate?

[Kiralynx]

So... my first test of a mask other than my trusty CL2, though I suppose you could say I've tried three masks, since I've used all three seals for the Comfortlite 2, and like the direct seals best.

But, it's coming on summer Way Down Yonder, and I wanted something cooler, so my Headrest arrived today.

Yup, smaller and lighter.

But, Gawd, why didn't they make it so you could remove the nubby rubber? If they'd put the loops at the front the way they did at the back, I could just put a spare CL2 strap on it, and add some Pad-a-Cheek fleece over the rest of the rubber.

Funny thing: doing a search for the Headrest leak rate turned up a gazillion discussions about this head gear here on CPAPTalk. But not leak rate charts. Yet. Will keep looking, but is someone knows where they're stowed, I'll be obliged...

[SaltLakeJan]

Hi Kira,

I was interested that you decided to try the Headrest mask. It is one I have been considering. Many people say it is the greatest. I hope you will post your thoughts about it. That might help me decide.

For a couple of weeks before your sister visited Ogden, we had very nice early spring weather. But it has been just plain awful since then. We either have record winds, very cold weather, or it either rains or snows. Sometimes does all four in one day. You will have to tell her, at Utah's high altitudes, if she doesn't like the weather - wait 10 minutes and it'll change.

The best you., Jan

[rested gal]

Funny thing: doing a search for the Headrest leak rate turned up a gazillion discussions about this head gear here on CPAPTalk. But not leak rate charts. Yet. Will keep looking, but is someone knows where they're stowed, I'll be obliged...

You can see the leak rate for the Headrest here:

http://www.tnlc.com/Lara/laura/osa/Mask ... illows.jpg

The Headrest's original name was "Aura" -- same mask.

You might want to check out the Lab Rat fixes for the Headrest mask -- some of us have removed ALL the headgear and added our own homemade straps. A "deconstructed" Headrest (Aura):

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

[Gerald]

Kira.....

Like you, I migrated to the Aura Headrest from the CL-2. I learned of it by reading what Rested Gal had to say.....and I've been using it for almost 2-years. I do not anticipate changing to another mask.

I'm running a "M" series auto with CFLEX and integral humidifier.....at an Average CPAP pressure of 10.4....and an average 90% pressure of 11.3. My AHI continually stays below 1.0

My average Max leak is 59.9, the average 90% leak is 42.6, the average leak is 38.5, and the average large leak lasts 3-seconds. This data has accumulated since Nov 3 of last year when I shifted to "Viewer" software.

I'm using Lansenoh Lanolin for extra comfort and sealing, the headrest has been modified with a soft pad for my nearly bald head, and I conquered exhaled breath produced rainout by inserting 2-pieces of cotton string inside the nose-piece. I haven't had any rainout since Sept. of last year. The humidifier is set on "1" and the room stays around 70 degrees while sleeping. Relative Humidity in the room is about 45%.

My hose is suspended over my head from a swinging arm clamped to the headboard, it's equipped with "quick-disconnect" fittings, and has an insulated cover to prevent humidifier induced rainout.

I "mouth tape" using 2" Blue 3M Delicate Release masking tape....from Lowe's paint dept.

Hope this helps..........

Gerald

[Kiralynx]

I was interested that you decided to try the Headrest mask. It is one I have been considering. Many people say it is the greatest. I hope you will post your thoughts about it. That might help me decide.

Well, I've heard plenty of people rave about it here, so I figured it was worth a shot, especially since i was able to obtain a very good deal on it. <g> I admit to considering the Swift Lt, too, but maybe I'll let my DME provide that one at my six month mask replacement.

I figure I will give it at least a week before I start deconstructing it, but I've already got plans....

For a couple of weeks before your sister visited Ogden, we had very nice early spring weather. But it has been just plain awful since then. We either have record winds, very cold weather, or it either rains or snows. Sometimes does all four in one day. You will have to tell her, at Utah's high altitudes, if she doesn't like the weather - wait 10 minutes and it'll change.

My sister found a house not too far from the air base. <g> She went to college at UNM and NMSU, and we lived in Farmington, NM for five years, so high altitude living is no surprise.

Oh, and my husband is already planning a trip next spring to visit the area.... just think -- by then, we'll both be veterans at this CPAP stuff!

[Kiralynx]

You can see the leak rate for the Headrest here:

http://www.tnlc.com/Lara/laura/osa/Mask ... illows.jpg

Thankee kindly, ma'am -- interesting, the leak rate at my pressures is somewhat lower than it is with the CL2. I've already tried the mask on... you're right that the "lock box" is smaller than it looks in the picture.

The Headrest's original name was "Aura" -- same mask.

Yep -- I had learned that from discussions here, which is why I posted all three in the title of this thread!

You might want to check out the Lab Rat fixes for the Headrest mask -- some of us have removed ALL the headgear and added our own homemade straps. A "deconstructed" Headrest (Aura):

LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
viewtopic.php?t=15104

Oh, I've been reading those all along... while deciding whether I wanted to try the mask. I expect that if it doesn't work for me, it wouldn't be hard to start a mask trial with it....

Be interesting to see what the Dachshund Duo, who like to sleep wrapped over the top of my head, will make of that upward-pointing vent!

Thanks for the chart, and the Lab Rat links!

[Kiralynx]

Gerald,

Thanks for the tips on using the Headrest. It will be interesting to see how it fares with my tri-level pressures on the Auto-SV.

Since I got my pressures in range, my leak rate has been within parameters for the CL2, and my AHI consistently 1.0-2.0, with more 1.0 than 2.0.

Be interesting to see how the Headrest partners with my Brandy Keg -- I can't do tape at all!

[SaltLakeJan]

Kira, Let me know when you get around to visiting your sis. In honor of your Louisiana stay, I'll start practicing a Southern Accent - It will take a long time to get rid of the western twang.

If you deconstruct the Headrest, please bring blueprints with you - I am not the keenest-figure-it-out person.

Jan

[Kiralynx]

Kira, Let me know when you get around to visiting your sis. In honor of your Louisiana stay, I'll start practicing a Southern Accent - It will take a long time to get rid of the western twang.

If you deconstruct the Headrest, please bring blueprints with you - I am not the keenest-figure-it-out person.

Jan,

Gawds, don't bother with the accent for me, honey-chile! <g> My mom's from New Jersey, my Dad's from Ohio, I was born in Pennsylvania, and have lived in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Louisiana, in addition to traveling to 42 of the 50 states.

When I'm in the North, they claim I have a Southern accent. When I'm in the South, they say it is a Northern accent. In the West, it's called an Eastern accent, while in the East, it's called a Western accent. Darned if I know what it is. And then there are the practical sorts who just say, "You're not from around here, are you?"

Blueprints, huh? Take a took at Rested Gal's great tweaking links... Aeiomed wouldn't know its own mask by the time she gets through with it!

Tried it last night, and I do like it, although I'm going to have to go find a widget for putting string in the nose piece, 'cause when I rolled over this morning, SPLASH!! Hmm, I wonder if anyone has a "Plus" they want to get rid of cheaply for a hose-drier?

I don't believe I like the rubber strap on it... nubby-rubber pulls on long hair. But as the various fixes demonstrate, that need not be a major obstacle.

Just went back and tinkered a bit, and determined that a CL2 strap works just fine on this -- I have not yet deconstructed, but I pulled the rubber strapping out of the way, then attached the CL2 strap to the back tabs of the Headrest. As there are no front tabs, I used a small piece of velcro to join the two front tabs together across the top of the Headrest. I'll give it an all-night test tonight and report back. I think that for those who like the CL2, and aren't inclined towards such radical deconstruction as some other folks around here, this may work well, since the only thing required would be to cut the rubber straps off at the front. I have some wicking fabric which I may tuck a piece of between my hair and the rubber.