Swift vs. Aura and other questions

laurel · Post by **laurel** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:07 pm

Hi everybody,

I've been a CPAP user since my sleep study on September 1st. Titrated at 13.

Am in the process of ordering some new equipment and I'm unsure of what mask to order. I've been using a Mirage Swift and it's okay-- but I can't help but wonder if there's something out there that would touch my face less, if that makes sense. The Aura looks like it's more like a hat you wear, but someone I talked to made it sound like it will feel like a lot more stuff around my nose. Has anyone out there tried both? What did you like best about each? Dislike? How do they compare to each other?

The ComfortCurve looks intriguing, too, if only all those straps weren't necessary! Maybe it seals better than the Swift? Most of the time I have no trouble, but occasionally I do.

(I'm also ordering a REMstar Auto C-Flex CPAP and can't wait to try it and get data from it, etc).

laurel · Post by **laurel** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 4:07 pm

FWIW: I sometimes sleep on my back and sometimes on my sides. I've mostly had the hose from the swift up over my head to keep it out of the way.

The more I look at the Comfort Curve, the more I think that'd just be adding more stuff that would touch my face.

Is the Aura really the only one that is so "off the face" as it seems? The DME I talked to thought it would seem like a "lot more stuff" than the Swift and I'd find that annoying.

Anyway. I've been reading stuff in the FAQ (did before my post too) and realized I should add more info. I know this is all terribly subjective, but I guess the DME got me doubting my selection of Aura for my next mask.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 4:35 pm

Laurel,

I'm short on time... so I'll be brief.

I (and many others here) use the aura... it is as comfortable as you think it is. It BARELY touches your face.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 4:40 pm

I agree with Wader...the Aura ("Headrest" by Aeiomed) has practically nothing touching your face...just the tips of the nasal pillows. Wonderful interface for sleeping in any sleep position. It's my favorite.

The Breeze is my close "2nd favorite"; very good for side sleeping but not so good for sleeping on one's back.

The mask you already have -- the Swift -- is very popular (and rightly so) with a lot of people. But if you plan to try another one soon, the Aura is a good one for many.

Good luck!

mikemoran · Post by **mikemoran** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:01 pm

I have used both and the Aura wins for me hands down. The Swift still has too much hose sticking out one side to allow me to lay my haed directly agaisnt the pillow. I find myself avoiding the side the hose is on, even if I am running it over my head.

The only bad postion with an Aura is face down (and that is with any mask). No you can't read with it on like the Swift adn that is the only thing where it has too much in the front of your face. I find it real easy to put on so i read until I get drowsy and doff my Aura.

The Brreeze is good too, but if you accidently roll on your back you really know it.

The only other mask i find okay for side sleeping is my Activa.

My $1.50

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:06 pm

Aura first, Swift second, Activa third.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 11:26 pm

As far as touching you face, the Aura (Headrest) wins hands down.
And you don't feel it on your head either.

Your DME probably never slept with either of them.

O.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME, Aura

th · Post by th » Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:21 am

[

Ditto

quote="Sleepless on LI"]Aura first, Swift second, Activa third.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, swift, Aura[/quote]

Jerry69 · Post by **Jerry69** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 11:41 am

The Aura is my favorite because it seals good, the hose is out of the way, and it stays sealed when I change position. Doesn't touch the face except at the nares and I hardly notice that.

The Swift hose can get in the way, and the cheek straps and the nasal pillow 'tube' are in contact with cheeks and upper lip. Not really uncomfortable and not a bad interface. Nosier than the Aura, I think.

Jerry

laurel · Post by **laurel** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:15 pm

Just wanted to thank you all for your reassurances, it can be disconcerting when you think you have everything figured out and then are told something that doesn't match your expectations.

Just heard from BillMyInsurance.com that my order is going through for the REMstar Auto and an Aura mask. Yay! And I just placed an order for a card reader from 2factors. I'm really looking forward to being able to look at my data.

This board has been invaluable and I've already pointed some folks in this direction (seems that I know at least a dozen hoseheads and probably more who need sleep studies).

kevder · Post by **kevder** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 pm

Mask discussions are so interesting because likes and dislikes vary so much. I wanted to present a dissenting opinion not to be negative but to try and give a broad perspective. I've been using the Swift for some time but was not real happy with the results. The positive feedback, and my need to try something else, convinced me to try the Aura. I tired many times to use it but it just didn't work for me. The two main issues that I had with the interface were:

1) There was such a difference in the noise produced between the inhalation and exhalation that I could not sleep. The Swift is noisy too but it is a constant noise instead of a varying one.

2) I almost drowned several times from the rainout. I tried everything short of the heated hose to correct this to no avail.

I don't get great results form the Swift but so far it is the only interface I've been able to consistently use. The Aura is totally unusable for me.

I wish you the best of luck with it though.

Kevder

Jerry69 · Post by **Jerry69** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:49 pm

laurel wrote: And I just placed an order for a card reader from 2factors. I'm really looking forward to being able to look at my data.

Laurel, don't use the driver on the CD that comes with the card reader. Use the one in Rested Gal's post on this topic: viewtopic.php?t=6491&highlight=

Her post has all the information you need to get up and running with the software.

Jerry

Jere · Post by **Jere** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:03 pm

Those are basically the only 2 masks I have ever used. I started with the Swift, which I thought was the living end. Then I bought an Aura and I have not used the Swift since. A couple of observations:

1. The Aura is more of a contraption than the Swift. It requires nightly adjustments and sometimes gets dislodged in sleep. However, at its best, you can hardly feel it (and the what does it for me).

2. The Swift is very comfortable, but it is definitely THERE on your face. It is noisier and the exhaust shoots across the bed. I also find that it is slightly uncomfortable when I am on my side (but this can be easily remedied by proper pillow placement). The Swift does not require the fiddling that the Aura demands.

On balance, I prefer the feeling of 'nothing there' over the more stable Swift.

Hope that helps!

Machine	Mask

Machine	Mask

Swift vs. Aura and other questions

Swift vs. Aura and other questions

Aura

Driver for card reader