Whistling mask & squeaking elbow

I have the flex fit 406 mask and have noticed the last week or so that when I exhale it whistles... it's kind of like a drippy faucet in that it's driving me batty. Anyone have an idea how to make it quit?
Also the swivel elbow at the front of the mask where the hose connects squeaks when it turns... how do I keep something like that quiet? Can you lubricate plastic?

Been having some trouble sleeping since I got back from vacation. Lots of tossing and turning. I have been 100% compliant the last two or three days again (I started removing the mask on vacation) but am having trouble getting comfortable. Hopefully that will pass. I need my rest for school starting.

Thanks if you have any ideas for the two issues!
Karen

I've not had much experience with that mask, but the elbow on my Mirage Activa has started to squeak too! I thought that when I cleaned it that might help. It stayed quiet for about a night and then started squeaking again. So far it isn't a bother. I have tended to not move around as much with the xpap. But I also would like to know how to stop it if there is a way.l It didn't do that until about a week or so ago.

try this post

viewtopic.php?t=20904&highlight=squeek

My Mirage Activa started squeaking quite soon after I got it. I just rubbed a little Vaseline on the joint parts. That has held for about 5 weeks. It's time to use the petroleum jelly again. The bridge joint over my nose is also sounding a little rusty, so I think I'll grease it also.

Jane

Hi, I used a little petroleum jelly (vasaline) to lubricate my squeaky elbow.
I figured its totally safe and just a little bit took care of the problems.
The whistles, I dont know. I dont have that mask.


[quote="khallow"]I have the flex fit 406 mask and have noticed the last week or so that when I exhale it whistles... it's kind of like a drippy faucet in that it's driving me batty. Anyone have an idea how to make it quit?
Also the swivel elbow at the front of the mask where the hose connects squeaks when it turns... how do I keep something like that quiet? Can you lubricate plastic?

Been having some trouble sleeping since I got back from vacation. Lots of tossing and turning. I have been 100% compliant the last two or three days again (I started removing the mask on vacation) but am having trouble getting comfortable. Hopefully that will pass. I need my rest for school starting.

Thanks if you have any ideas for the two issues!
Karen

I've had a lot of masks in the last 7 months and the sound of leaking can be a big compliance problem if it constantly awakens you. I've finally found the best thing that works for me is to get some of those foam ear plugs, trim them down a bit so they're not so uncomfortable and sleep with them.

Once in a while a still hear a high pitched squeal and when I do I just readjust the mask, pulling it slightly away from my face and resetting it. That usually helps. The other thing that I've found helpful is to wash the mask regularly to get rid of the face oil.

One final thought has to do with the swivels. Someone on the site mentioned wrapping thread in the small crevices between the parts if that's possible. It does work on the rotating piece on the Hybrid rather well. I actually use a particular type of serving string (used for bow and arrow), but any good strong thread should work fine.

Hope that helps.

You've already gotten some good advice on how to stop the squeaks.

Now, about that whistle:
If the whistle is coming from the exhaust area, it could be due to rain out or condensation collecting in that area. I find if water droplets form at the perforations that form the outlet, I get whistling. If that is the problem, the solution is to control the condensation. Insulating your hose with a hose cover, or using a heated hose, or turning down your humidifer setting may do the trick. If you wash your mask or the seal right before putting it on (like I sometimes do), make sure it is dry so you're not starting out the night with water droplets in your mask.

If you are getting whistling around the area where the silicon seal (that frosted flexible thingy) meets the rigid mask frame, it could be due to the seal not being properly seated on the frame. If you take the silcon seal off to wash it, it is possible to reassemble the mask so that it looks good to go but without the mask frame and silicon seal being securely mated. Check to make sure the seal is seated securely on the frame.
Hope this helps.

P.S. I couldn't get Spell check to work, so I hope this is readable.