Does your CPAP nasal mask have this often-lost separate filter clip (is it even needed) (what does it really do)?

Does your CPAP nasal mask have this often-lost separate filter clip?
1. Is the F&P Eson2 nasal mask clip even needed (as I keep losing them)?
2. What happens if you use the mask without it?
3. Can the clip be bought separately (probably not)?
4. If not, do you think breathable athletic tape can sufficiently close the leaking air holes?

And, since I'm sick of losing those clips (I have to move them from one mask to another)... and since I don't care at all about "filtered air"...
5. What nasal mask do you recommend that does NOT have that silly clip?

Besides, the air is coming out of the machine, right?
So why do I need to filter my OUTPUT air?

It's not a "filter"...it's a diffuser and it is available as a separate purchase if you look for it using correct terminology.

And its role it to diffuse the air coming out of the machine so that it:

1. is not so noisy
2. doesn't feel so unpleasant when it hits your arm or your sheets/covers or your bed partner.

You can try sleeping without it, and no, athletic tape won't do.

ozij wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 01, 2024 10:36 am

And its role it to diffuse the air coming out of the machine
You can try sleeping without it, and no, athletic tape won't do.

Thanks for that information as I thought it was an input filter and so I didn't realize it was an output filter.
Why they filter output air is beyond my current comprehension.
Do you know why?

I mean, it's OUTPUT air?
Why should it be filtered?

Anyway, in the interim, I tried two things, one of which failed miserably & the other of which worked wonderfully, based on your advice.

1. I removed the stupid diffuser from a new mask and tried that and it works just fine. I like it better, actually, as it is easier to breathe out with the stupid diffuser removed.
2. I taped up the stupid diffuser holes just to test it out, and that hurt my lungs which means that the pressure was probably too high in my lungs with it taped up.

So while it boggles my mind why an OUTPUT has a filter on it, I now realize the following two things:
a. The stupid diffuser itself isn't necessary so I will just remove it on all my new masks.
b. However, the HOLES are necessary (otherwise there is too much pressure in the lungs).

Thanks everyone for the wonderful advice as I had no idea the diffuser was for OUTPUT air (and not for input air - as it was filtered).
Much appreciated.

cpapsnorechild wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 03, 2024 11:00 am

Why they filter output air is beyond my current comprehension.
Do you know why?

The diffuser helps a lot of people a lot with a reduction in vented air noise.
Also helps the people who complain of the cold vented air blowing on them somewhere. Like my husband is happy he no longer gets cold air blowing on the back of his neck.

Lots of masks come with diffusers.

Just because you don't see the need or the value.....doesn't mean it isn't there.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 03, 2024 11:09 am

The diffuser helps a lot of people a lot with a reduction in vented air noise.

I appreciate you defending the design as I have no doubt it's there for a reason.
My main complaint it that it constantly falls off - which defeats its purposes.
Hence, in my opinion, it's a flimsy design.

Nonetheless, certainly I agree with you that it's slightly noisier with the stupid diffuser removed.
No doubt about it.

Me?
I don't care about noise, especially noise so slight you'd have to be within inches of it to hear it.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 03, 2024 11:09 am

Also helps the people who complain of the cold vented air blowing on them somewhere. Like my husband is happy he no longer gets cold air blowing on the back of his neck.

Gives new meaning to the term "breathing down one's neck", doesn't it!
I sleep alone so I don't have that problem.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 03, 2024 11:09 am

Just because you don't see the need or the value.....doesn't mean it isn't there.

I agree with you as I don't need a soclean, nor a humidifier, nor supplemental oxygen, nor heated hoses, etc., and yet, I'm sure there are benefits to others of each.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 03, 2024 11:09 am

Lots of masks come with diffusers.

There are diffusers which are designed well - and there are diffusers which are not designed well, right?
Given how badly designed this diffuser is, the engineer who designed that stupid clip for the F&P Eson 2 mash should be taken out back and shot, IMHO.

By way of example of good diffuser design, I have a few new masks here in my hand - each with a well-designed built-in relief valve that has no flimsy crappy poorly designed diffuser clip that falls off.