Why does headgear wear out so fast?

[reader2580]

Why the heck does headgear for CPAP masks wear out so fast? I am currently using a Sleepweaver Elan mask. I had the first set of headgear for 8 months which was a few months too long. The velcro was totally shot and the headgear kept coming undone.

Why can't manufacturers make something that lasts longer? Do they just not make them to last since they know insurance will replace on a regular basis?

[Julie]

Mine lasts for years... I guess I'll have to give Resmed that

[Wulfman...]

Mine also last for YEARS. First headgear on my primary mask (UMFF) lasted for four years. I'm still using the second set.
Same thing with seals/cushions.......about six years on the first one and still using the replacement.
My primary mask is also the one I started therapy with.

Been at this for close to nine years.


Den

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[herefishy]

My first headgear lasted 8 years, but it was really worn out by the time I thought it was a problem. I would think if you are a restless sleeper, possibly friction might make it wear faster.

[chunkyfrog]

Every time elastic is stretched, a little breaks, until it no longer stretches.
The harder/more often you stretch it, the quicker it will wear out.
Velcro can become less sticky if too many of the little hooks or loops break,
or if the surface becomes fouled with fibers. In the latter case, the bonding surface can be brushed clean.
I use a small stiff brush to clean my Velcro, or even a tiny metal crochet hook.

[Wulfman...]

Why the heck does headgear for CPAP masks wear out so fast? I am currently using a Sleepweaver Elan mask. I had the first set of headgear for 8 months which was a few months too long. The velcro was totally shot and the headgear kept coming undone.

Why can't manufacturers make something that lasts longer? Do they just not make them to last since they know insurance will replace on a regular basis?

If you're taking the Velcro apart when you wash it.......DON'T. Or, if you feel you must, put it back together when it's being washed to keep fibers from getting into the Velcro.

Once I get my mask headgear adjustment tweaked, I hardly ever take the Velcro apart. I leave the clips in my headgear when I wash them.


Den

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[Stormynights]

My husbands head sweats really bad and his headgear wears out really fast. 3 months is the longest he can get before it is trashed.

[Goofproof]

My headgear lasts a long time, but parts of it do degrade. Elastic loses its stretch fast, no cure for that one. Watching the olympics, it would be nice if they would use better straping like on the goggles, mush better products are out there, but the idea is low cost-high profit, the opposite of what we want.

On Velcro, Den's solution answers that, I only open it to adjust it, just slip it on and use the clips to fasten it. Only adjust it to refit when the elastic stretches. I'd be willing to live with wider elastic straps, to get longer life, I'm sure many here would complain about covering too much area and or too hot. I'd be thankful to have more mask stability. Jim

[reader2580]

I read a lot of posts here about people having trouble with headgear wearing out before Medicare or other insurance will pay for new headgear so I don't think I am alone.

The Sleepweaver Elan has no quick release so the velcro pretty much has to be undone every day. Circadiance recommends replacing the headgear every six months and the mask every three months.

[Country4ever]

I use the headgear for the original swift nasal pillow and it gets really slippery after a year or so and I think that contributes to leaking.

[Pugsy]

Velcro just gets tired with lots of use especially when the only way to remove the headgear is by undoing the velcro.
One can add new velcro on top of old with a bit of sewing or glue which will buy a little more time with headgear.

Lets face it. Mask manufacturers would rather we replace something rather than make it so it lasts longer. Planned obsolescence I believe it is called.

[Wulfman...]

I read a lot of posts here about people having trouble with headgear wearing out before Medicare or other insurance will pay for new headgear so I don't think I am alone.

The Sleepweaver Elan has no quick release so the velcro pretty much has to be undone every day. Circadiance recommends replacing the headgear every six months and the mask every three months.

Do you use strap covers......something like Pad-a-Cheeks? They can also be made cheaply out of fleece material. I believe they help improve the longevity of headgear.

The headgear I looked at for the Elan (on CPAP-dot-COM) appeared to have some type of quick-release clips.


Den

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[Sir NoddinOff]

In my experience (and as Pugsy said), when I'm using a new mask for the first time I tend to unfasten the velcro a lot and readjust the mask tightness to find the optimum for me. Once you get the right settings, whether it takes one day or a month, then you don't have to rip the velcro off so much. My point is that I've found that it's the velcro fasteners/connection that tends to wear out first. People who wash their headgear in hot water with detergents, (or even use the washing machine) sometimes report that the stretch goes out of the elastic very quickly. I don't do that, so have never had that problem. Cold water and some Dawn is fine once a week Apria, my DME, only replaces headgear straps once every six months. I make a big point of moaning and groaning when I speak to the phone reps that this is not nearly often enough. Oh well, we do what we can

[JDS74]

My Oracle mask has quick release clips so I don't have that particular problem.

Has anyone tried going to a fabric store to get quick release clips that can be added so that, once the Velcro has been adjusted, you don't have to use the Velcro any more?

[RogerSC]

I recently replaced the first and only headgear that I've used, lasted for two years. No washing *smile*, velcro worked fine, it just lost its elasticity. Going to new headgear reminded my how nice it is when it's stretchy *smile*, easier to adjust and more comfortable, been getting some "0" 95% leak nights since changing headgear. I'm thinking that I'll try a one-year replacement next time instead of waiting two years, and see how that goes *smile*. I think that insurance has me on a 6-month replacement schedule, but that seems too frequent. So I've got one or two unused ones laying around, waiting for use...my DME is anxious to send me anything that they can bill to insurance, so I've had to slow them down some.