Hybrid/face shape relationship

I thought I would conduct a parallel survey to the current Hybrid poll on krousseau’s thread. In previous posts, some had noticed a correlation between face shape and how well the Hybrid mask fit. I believe the relationship term being used referred to having "chubby cheeks", which I interpret as a round face. I noticed that the guy that models the Hybrid on the CD and Innomed website also had a round face.

Since the Hybrid is one of the more expensive masks on the market, I thought it might be helpful to see if indeed there is a relationship between one’s face shape and how likely they are to succeed in using the Hybrid. I realize that some will have shapes intermediate of the choices provided but do the best you can to put yourself into one of the three.

... the Hybrid Guy ==>>

- roberto

Let's see how this works ...

Great survey idea! I'd sure like to know if I'm the only one with a "long face" having trouble with severe hybrid leaks (seem to be around the corner of my mouth)

Great idea bro! Looking forward to seeing the results!

Chuck

bump

Thanks for the bump Guest. I had planned to do it myself with an update discussion to the thread. Also thanks for the encouragement Chuck and greyhound.

Anyway, I wanted to add a few more comments regarding this survey. In order to have a statistically significant meaning of the results, we will need to have a sample size of at least 30 to 32 Hybrid users … the more we have the better. I’m pretty sure we have enough Hybrid users in this forum. In addition, I hope that folks vote/participate once and only once in this survey and do not see it as a competition to root for their specific group.

If it turns out that there is little relationship between success with the Hybrid and the three generalized face shapes, it may be that a more detailed survey is needed that would include more objective 3D measurements of specific facial features.

I will attempt to remember to bump this thread up occasionally to increase the sample size. Thanks for participating.

- roberto

Roberto,
I'm convinced it is the side to side curve of the face in the mouth area and
experience with nasal pillows that predicts Hybrid success/failure. A simple set of cardboard 'curves' might help to decide if it will fit.

If I frown all night, will that change the curve of my face so it fits better?

Roberto,

Great post, my face is round and I have mucho leaks, but I am working on tweaking it!!!!!!!!!!! Ellen

oldgearhead wrote:Roberto,
I'm convinced it is the side to side curve of the face in the mouth area and
experience with nasal pillows that predicts Hybrid success/failure. A simple set of cardboard 'curves' might help to decide if it will fit.

You are correct about the lateral curvature being a dominant factor. However, there is also an important vertical component from the base of the chin to the opening of the nares and also the shape of the nares themselves (ie. round vs. slotted) that come into play. Some had problems with getting the pillows to seal as opposed to the mouth cushion.

I had thought about conducting the survey with all these parameters in mind and then opted to follow Ocam's Razor (simpler is often better) instead. Let's see how the results turn out after we get 30 or so sample observations.

Thanks for the suggestion,

- roberto

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): seal, Nasal Pillows

Have always been a fan of Ocam's Razor. Glad you mentioned that, Roberto.

like greyhound, I have a long rectangular face and I get cushion leaks at the corners of my mouth. Whether it is due to my long face or curvature of the cushion or whatever, I don't know. If I crank the mask on relatively tightly and sleep on my sides these leaks aren't too bad but if I sleep on my back, it's just too leaky from the mouth cushion corners.
So I try to sleep on my sides.

Maryb

I tried to vote for "long face, success" but it didn't seem to record it.

Maryb

maryb, did you log in before trying to vote? That might be the cause of your problem.

In that regard, I'm a back sleeper and maybe that's also an important factor in my hybrid problem.

Gee Roberto -I didn't think you looked like a man who would use Ocam's Razor !

Well, I'm not sure how to vote. Face is round but sucess or not..I'm not sure. My numbers are still way too high but I love the way the Hybrid feels. I do have a sort of flapping of the inner mouth seal at times when I inhale but not too many leaks. It certainly fits and feels better with the Pad a Cheeks but I still think there should be definite sizes of headgear, not just straps to adjust. I'm so determined to wear this one that I may be overlooking what is happening. I'll let the doctor to decide.