Airsense10 bad mask fit indicator

I have been using a ResMed Airsense 10 for about two years and have used a full face mask since I started, but I have decided to switch to a nasal mask (just goes over my nose). All of my equipment is ResMed. I changed the mask type to nasal in the setting and I've run the mask fit test and it shows good, but when I use it the mask fit indicator always show bad, even though I can detect no leakage. I've tried different sizes, but no luck. I know I'm getting good air while sleeping from my pulse oximeter, but I would like to figure out why mask fit indicator keeps showing bad.

A few questions to help figuring out the causation of the leaks…

• Any chance you could post one or more OSCAR graphs? Maybe one with a full face mask and one with the nasal mask?
• Which nasal mask specifically?
• What pressure/EPR settings specifically?
• Where there leaks reported with the full face mask?
• When you awaken, does your mouth feel dry?

It is likely that you are experiencing mouth leaks that happen whilst asleep without realising it. You should consider trying some mouth tape or a soft cervical collar, both of which should greatly reduce or stop the mouth leaks.

Atom wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 19, 2022 3:11 pm

I have been using a ResMed Airsense 10 for about two years and have used a full face mask since I started, but I have decided to switch to a nasal mask (just goes over my nose). All of my equipment is ResMed. I changed the mask type to nasal in the setting and I've run the mask fit test and it shows good, but when I use it the mask fit indicator always show bad, even though I can detect no leakage. I've tried different sizes, but no luck. I know I'm getting good air while sleeping from my pulse oximeter, but I would like to figure out why mask fit indicator keeps showing bad.

what does oscar show?

are you able to sleep through these leaks?

Jlfinkels wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 19, 2022 3:45 pm

A few questions to help figuring out the causation of the leaks…

• Any chance you could post one or more OSCAR graphs? Maybe one with a full face mask and one with the nasal mask?
• Which nasal mask specifically?
• What pressure/EPR settings specifically?
• Where there leaks reported with the full face mask?
• When you awaken, does your mouth feel dry?

It is likely that you are experiencing mouth leaks that happen whilst asleep without realising it. You should consider trying some mouth tape or a soft cervical collar, both of which should greatly reduce or stop the mouth leaks.

I never had bad fit indication with my full face mask, and I know there is/was leakage, but apparently not enough to affect the indicator. One of my issues is that when I sleep, my jaw drops which creates problems, including dry mouth (and snoring of course). The full face mask was a way to mitgate the jaw dropping problem. However, with the onset of winter, I've had more dry mouth, so I decided to try something different. Up to now I've tried many things to keep my mouth from opening, but not so much luck. Obviously, one thing to do would be add water, which I have never used, because I didn't want the hassle of it. I also don't really care that much for the full face mask because it is often uncomfortable. So, I decided to try 1) adding water, 2) using a nasal mask (for comfort). The nasal mask head gear I have I modified slightly to add a chin strap to help keep my mouth closed. I can't tell if this works, but when I sleep with the nasal mask, my O2 numbers (all I care about) are very good). After my first post, I remembered that I have a second Airsense 10, so I did the mask fit test on it, and no problem. My other machine is either defective, or perhaps there is some setting in the clinical menu that would cause this? With the machine with the bad mask fit indicator, it is on from the get go, so it's not something happening while I'm sleeping.

zonker wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 19, 2022 4:45 pm

Atom wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 19, 2022 3:11 pm

I have been using a ResMed Airsense 10 for about two years and have used a full face mask since I started, but I have decided to switch to a nasal mask (just goes over my nose). All of my equipment is ResMed. I changed the mask type to nasal in the setting and I've run the mask fit test and it shows good, but when I use it the mask fit indicator always show bad, even though I can detect no leakage. I've tried different sizes, but no luck. I know I'm getting good air while sleeping from my pulse oximeter, but I would like to figure out why mask fit indicator keeps showing bad.

what does oscar show?

are you able to sleep through these leaks?

That's just it, there are no leaks. Either the machine has a defect or there is a setting issue somewhere. My other machine (same model) does not give a bad mask fit indication with the same mask.

Atom wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 19, 2022 5:19 pm

That's just it, there are no leaks. Either the machine has a defect or there is a setting issue somewhere. My other machine (same model) does not give a bad mask fit indication with the same mask.

i understand your desire to know why. and perhaps someone can enlighten us.

but if'n it were me, i wouldn't worry about it.

good luck!

Atom wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 19, 2022 5:19 pm

zonker wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 19, 2022 4:45 pm

what does oscar show?

are you able to sleep through these leaks?

That's just it, there are no leaks. Either the machine has a defect or there is a setting issue somewhere. My other machine (same model) does not give a bad mask fit indication with the same mask.

Back to the original request from Zonker and myself, do you have OSCAR data available? There are many here who can divine truth from it, but without it the best anyone can do is guess. Mask fit is fine for fitting masks, but is not representative of what happens when lying down and asleep. You already said that you have experienced jaw drops, which again would seem to be the problem, at least without OSCAR data for someone to review.

You mention there are no leaks, which I take as there are none while you are awake. When you are asleep leaks show up as Mr. Frowny face. If you don’t have OSCAR, at least provide the information from the “Sleep Report” screen. The information there is no where near as complete as OSCAR, but at least it gives a 95% percentile of the data.

Interesting that you have two of the same machines whereby one shows leaks and the other does not. Is it the exact same hose, water chamber, and mask, which you move from machine to machine? Or is the it the same make/model which only gets used on one?

My feeling is that there is some mouth breathing going on.

The thing is, the mask fit indicator is saying bad fit from the instant it is turned on and when I am awake. Only one of the two machines does this, so I'm concluding it is a fault with that machine unless someone else has a bette explanation. As I also said, I rely on my oximeter to tell me if I getting proper air or not. I think that is the objective, no?

Switch the mask, hose, and water chambers between the two machines. Then try it again. Does it follow the equipment?

Atom wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 19, 2022 8:16 pm

The thing is, the mask fit indicator is saying bad fit from the instant it is turned on and when I am awake. Only one of the two machines does this, so I'm concluding it is a fault with that machine unless someone else has a bette explanation. As I also said, I rely on my oximeter to tell me if I getting proper air or not. I think that is the objective, no?

You've convinced me that you have one machine that will give you excellent therapy with a nasal mask.

Jlfinkels wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 19, 2022 8:24 pm

Switch the mask, hose, and water chambers between the two machines. Then try it again. Does it follow the equipment?

I did this, and once again the backup machine did not show the red frowny face, but when I moved it all back, the first machine did not show the red frowny face either. Problem solved! Thanks.

Atom wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 20, 2022 6:25 am

did this, and once again the backup machine did not show the red frowny face, but when I moved it all back, the first machine did not show the red frowny face either. Problem solved! Thanks.

Excellent. Glad we could help.