CPAPtalk.com

Hey Aura fans...
I threw my Aura in the back of the drawer in frustration. Apart from the leaks, which I never could stop, the noise (hiss) from the exhaust was ridiculous. It was like sleeping beside a steam train! There's no way I could sleep with that. Way worse than any Respironics or ResMed masks I've tried. Why don't I hear any other complaints about the noise???

Derek

Derek,

I don't understand the noise. Mine is one of the most quiet ones I've ever used, although maybe at the higher pressures? Sorry it didn't work for you. But did you ever try to pantyhose leg trick? Sorry to mention it...

Lori,

I used a couple stretchy velcro straps instead, Worked great so far and easy to undo and tight en as necessary. Not gonna worry about the head gear now that this is working.

Switched to Aura from Swift using only a velcro strap around the head and over the plastic bridge last night. The remainder of the stuff (box, etc) is gone. It is VERY light, and VERY quiet. You may want to check out all the connections as the Aura is one of the quietest nasal masks. What pressure are you?

Guest,

Another deconstruction artiste, eh???

With the head band stabilizing it the Aura was held agaisnt my forehead and the rest of the head gear was superfulous.

Yup, that's how it works when you put a homemade strap around at forehead level - worn like a sweatband.

A homemade strap worn down low across the front of the nasal part takes care of leaks, especially at some pressures.

Some can wear the Aura right out of the box with just a bit of bending and fiddling.

Some need only an additional strap at forehead level.

Some need only an additional strap down at the nasal pillows area.

Some need both.

With one or both additional straps, the headgear is just up "there", doing nothing much at all. Doesn't matter then if the headgear doesn't fit. Or even if it's removed altogether.

Caution: If a person goes for the radical deconstruction and removes all the headgear straps and lockbox, you need to cut off and save the longest rubber strap from the headgear. That slightly curved strap is perfect for laying horizontally across your forehead (smooth side against your skin, nubby side out) to act as a PAD between your forehead and the hard plastic of the exhaust area. If you don't put a pad of some kind there, a deconstructed Aura would be painful against your forehead.

Drawings of a deconstructed Aura with homemade straps added:





You can use one or both of those homemade straps to secure it, even without removing the headgear. On the one Aura I have that still is intact (I've deconstructed three of them...yeah, I collect them! lol) I don't even bother adjusting the headgear since the "real" straps are going to just "float" up above my head. They don't bother me up there, so I'll leave that one as is. I'm sure it breathed a sigh of relief. LOL!!

Apart from the leaks, which I never could stop, the noise (hiss) from the exhaust was ridiculous. It was like sleeping beside a steam train! There's no way I could sleep with that. Way worse than any Respironics or ResMed masks I've tried. Why don't I hear any other complaints about the noise???

Derek, I don't know why your Aura sounds unusually noisy. All of my Auras have made the same sound the Breeze nasal pillows interface does...a soft shussssh (yeah, it could be described as a hiss) sound only when you inhale. Not a constant sound.

I still think that for you, the Extra Large nasal pillows might make a world of difference in stopping leaks down where it matters. Maybe. If not, and if no one else PM's you trying to buy it, let me know what you want for your poor little orphan Aura.

rested gal wrote:If not, and if no one else PM's you trying to buy it, let me know what you want for your poor little orphan Aura.

What, 3 deconstructed Auras isn't enough for you? .

Argh! got my Aura yesterday and started off with the dog afraid to come near me when I had it on. Not a good start! Being of unwavering determination, however, I am committed to trying all the strap tweaks to make this thing work. Two questions, though - the instructions indicate that the interface should not be exposed to "disinfectants." Other than daily washing of the actual pillow portion, what do those of you who use this interface to do clean/disinfect? Second, I had water running in my nostril from condensation in the loop. Woke up twice to shake it out and go back to sleep. Thanks for help and words of encouragement!

Beth - week 6 and still searching....

Beth,

I'm laughing and almost afraid to ask it, but TRUTHFULLY, how did you like it? Sorry, I couldn't resist!

The Aura does have a tendency to create condensation. The short period of time that I used the hh with mine, I turned it down from 2 to 1. If you have to have a higher number, and you do end up liking the Aura, you should definitely invest in an Aussie heated hose to stop the rain out http://www.sleepzone.com.au.

In the meantime, make sure the machine is lower than your mattress so that the water drains with gravity and it makes it harder to get to your mask. That is always a good idea.

Did you end up being able to sleep with it on all night? And if so, how were the leaks, if any? Did it feel more comfortable to you than the past mask you were using? You were a Swifter, weren't you? I'd be interested in hearing the details of your night, other than the condensation and your dog's fear of you (LOL). I know, it's not funny.

As far as disinfecting mine, I just clean it with soap and water as I'm afraid to do anything that might hurt it. You must treat the ones you love gently and with care...

Beth,

I made a polar fleece cover for the "pig tail" hose on my aura. I also use the Aussie heated hose. This two accessories have eliminated all rainout...and I have my HH at 5.

Interesting idea about the pigtail fleece cover. Any chance you have a photo of that? I'd be interested in how you constructed that.

As for rain-out, I have not had any condensation in the hose or anywhere before. Now it is only in the pillow section of the Aura. I think I was lying in one position for awhile (at least I slept some!) and the water had pooled in there. So it came back at me when I turned. Wading may be right, the pigtail probably is cold - it was chilly in the room last night! With a little help from my friends here perhaps I can make it it's own little cozy?

Lori asks (cautiously, as appropriate) do I like it? Too soon to tell. I know it takes time to establish a suitable relationship with one of these things, so I'm not making any decisions yet. I really like no side straps. I like the light weight. The headgear did stay in place without any problem. I did have leaks around the pillows and they slipped out of my nares more than a few times. I got a free nasal rinse I didn't expect.

I've adjusted the lockbox apparatus to pull the pillows more snug against my nose. I stopped short of feeling like I was being hung by my nose. As always, the expert guidance of the group would be most appreciated! I'm still working on it. Any suggestions about how to position the pillows? Should I try the next size? I so want this to work. I think it has potential but, as all interfaces do, it needs a little help. Thanks for your support.

Meanwhile, I will work on desensitizing my dog to my latest accoutrement !

Beth,

I'm going out on a limb here and assuming (hate to do that) that you used the medium pillows last night since you said you may try the "next size." I'm guessing that means larger? I use the mediums now and really like them. I think the real trick to getting the Aura to work well is the adjustment of the wire in conjunction with the positioning of the lockbox. I pull up on the lockbox just a bit so that the pillows don't fall out during the night (the pillows, that is) and since they are so soft and squishy, it never hurts my nose at all. OR...you can try what RG recommends with the panythose leg to keep them secure. I think it's still far too early to pull out the heavy hosiery/artillery since it was just one night so far, but it's always an option. It doesn't budge an inch with that, though.

I would suggest playing with the wires and then putting the palm of your hand over the nosepiece, like cupped, to see if you feel any pinholes of air coming out of anywhere. If so, continue to adjust them until you feel NOTHING. Once you've got it and it's set, you shouldn't have any problem during the night as the headgear stays put. Sometimes it's a question of getting the headgear properly positioned, too. But it does work when the two are in agreement with eachother. Then it's the best night you will have with any interface, IMHO.

I hope tonight is better than last night. Sounds like it has potential for you since you said that at least you slept some with an exlamation point, so I felt that mean it was an improvement from prior to. I'm hoping that is a positive.

Many thanks, Lori - I was wondering just how much I could bend those little wires (and wanted to make sure I was calm with I did so!). Yes, I did sleep some, at least as much as with the Swift, maybe a tad more, but that varies night to night. I try not to look at the clock any more during my mid of the night awakenings. Except for when I changed position and got the nasal irrigation (or turned to the other side and scared my dog) I did find the interface quite comfortable. I need to adjust the bed pillow a bit since I spend some time on my back, too, and the pillow would push the interface forward just a bit. Thanks for the advice - I remain hopeful if I can just get it to stay put. And yes, you guessed right about the Mediums. they seemed a good fit. I think the angle was just off a bit so I appreciate your guidance.

But I was really hoping to rip up all those panyhose! Maybe this weekend?

I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the help--I want to join the "I love my Aura" club!

I want to join the "I love my Aura" club!

Beth,

I want you to, too! Keep me posted.