Breeze vs. Aura?

Is the Breeze any better at staying in place on the head, compared to the Aura/Everest? My Aura is very comfortable, WHEN it's in the right position, but I just can't get it to stay in place (despite trying many of the fixes you all have suggested, including Velcro and pantyhose). I am an active sleeper and have medium-length, slippery hair so the headgear just slides around.

Is it worth it to try a Breeze? What about one of the cap-style headgear?

Thanks for your advice,

Tina

Tina,

My guess is that if the Aura slides around for you that the Breeze would not do the same.

Have you tried routing the bottom strap under your hair? If you could make that work the weight of your hair would help hold the Aura in place.

Tina,

Another thing I find works is if you make a bun out of your hair, but no clips or pins, and then put the bottom-most strap over it. It kind of keeps the headgear tighter and it won't move or shift as much.

Throwing it out there in the hopes something works. Wader's suggestion is good, too. I've done both, especially with the Swift. It's a bit harder to do with the Aura.

Thanks for the suggeistions! Unfortunately, my hair isn't long enough to help hold down that bottom strap.

I also am an active sleeper with long hair and I also have trouble with the Aura. I don't have the same trouble with the Breeze and have found it to be the best mask for me, so I'd suggest you give it a try.

I also found that the Aura was lacking in stability compared to the Breeze. I wondered if this is because the Aura nasal pillow is sooooo soft whereas the Breeze nasal pillow is somewhat firmer, allowing it to hold to ones' face a little better. However, you might find that the Breeze is more intrusive/less comfortable.

I ended up ditching the Aura as I could not keep a seal whereas the Breeze works beautifully for me.

Good Luck!

[quote="WillSucceed"]I also found that the Aura was lacking in stability compared to the Breeze. I wondered if this is because the Aura nasal pillow is sooooo soft whereas the Breeze nasal pillow is somewhat firmer, allowing it to hold to ones' face a little better. However, you might find that the Breeze is more intrusive/less comfortable.

I ended up ditching the Aura as I could not keep a seal whereas the Breeze works beautifully for me.

Good Luck!

I agree with Jerry. The Aura is lightweight and stays put. The Breeze was top-heavy and never stayed in place for me. But that's why it's always said that everyone takes to masks in a different way and what works for you may not work for someone else. Unfortunately, too, the only way to know if it will work for you is to try it. And, unfortunately, that's why the question you always see on these boards such as "What is the best nasal mask," and questions of that same sort are not able to be given an answer that everyone will ever agree with.

Both stay put fine for me -- with an extra strap. Lucky, I guess.

The Breeze works well for me and stays in place. The Aura did not. (I also have long hair.)

You really can't base your decision upon what works for the majority of people who respond. First of all, the majority of people who respond here represents a tiny minority of all Breeze and Aura users. Secondly, my (or anyone else's) opinion is worthless with regards to how well any mask will work FOR YOU.

neversleeps wrote:The Breeze works well for me and stays in place. The Aura did not. (I also have long hair.)

You really can't base your decision upon what works for the majority of people who respond. First of all, the majority of people who respond here represents a tiny minority of all Breeze and Aura users. Secondly, my (or anyone else's) opinion is worthless with regards to how well any mask will work FOR YOU.

Unless, you get a preponderance of really bad reports for a given mask. Then, I'd shy away from it.

The Breeze and Aura both have a contingency of satisfied users, so it is hard to say which would be best for you.

I have them both [and the Swift]. Frankly, I could settle on any one of them, now that I've tried all of them. Not that much difference. But, I sort of like using one one night and another another night. Too bad it costs $100 a pop to 'try' them.

I've been on CPAP for a little over 2 months, now. What I object to most is the same thing that bothered me greatly the first night: the loud breathing sounds emitted by the machine and the interface. Actually, it is the louder sound emitted upon inhaling.

The Swift and Aura are both so loud that they mask most of the machine noise. (Machine is on the floor, partially under the bed.) My Breeze is quieter, but I can hear the machine when wearing it, so not much improvement.

I've read reports that some of the nasal masks are 'totally quiet'. But, what good would that do if you can hear the machine whooshing?

And, some on the forum have commented that the noise doesn't bother them and at least one said, "I like the noise."

I've just got to get acclimated to the noise. Got to! Then, I'll sleep with Breeze or Aura or Swift as my fantasy dictates.

Jerry

Tina, you get that Breeze?

After reading and posting to this topic, I got mine out and used it last night.

First, I read the directions for adjusting it, again. The back pad is supposed to go down low, at the base of you head, not dead center where it will make a lump if you sleep on your back. I have four holes showing.

Next, I extended the top slider so that four spaces were showing on the graduation.

Then, I moved the front slide about half way to get a good connection with my nares.

Finally, I rotated the pillow plenum to get a good seal.

I'm using the straps connected to the clip in the most extended position of the clips.

I'm using the X-large pillows.

Felt pretty good.

During the night, I moved the top slider a notch or two depending on whether I was on my side or back. Yes, I can sleep on my back with the Breeze back pad down low, at the base of my skull. I even rotated the nasal plenum a time or two to improve the seal. Easily done.

The engineer in me likes being able to adjust the contraption.

I had a good night. Encore Pro revealed few leaks. (These are not always mask leaks. They may be mouth leaks. The other night, it was a bad seal between the humidifier and the machine, so...)

Jerry

Thanks everyone for the information! As usual, it's a YMMV (your mileage may vary) situation, but at least a couple of you found the Breeze to be more stable than the Aura, so maybe I'll try it.

Tina

i am a very happy breeze user, the same mask for over a year, only changed the short hose because i had one and it was getting a little loose on the plenum.
as stated elsewhere, had a problem with the seam on first one but replacement has been fine despite the fact that i am a very active sleeper, starting ALWAYS on stomache and ending on back after multiple sides events.
i think the secret to my success is the chin strap. at first i had one of the simple three inch wide straps. this quickly became obvious that the width was anoying and generated sweating. I found that if I put a single twist in the band it would be wide at the top for stability and wide under my chin to keep my mouth closed [necessary] and keep the mask stable. unfortunately, on a business trip, i left my chinstrap in a hotel. i went out and bought a simple chinstrap made of a velcro'd strap with a little chin cup at the bottom. i kept trying the angles coming down over my head to get the chin cup to hold my jaw up and not too far back as well as the top strap not being so far forward that it dragged the mask down and forward. i found the sweet spot, put a little piece of duck tape over the strap and have only adusted it a little in over six months. in the morning i pull the chin cup up and in front of the plenum ready for the night. and now, because it is taped to the mask, i can't loose it when i travel. best of all worlds.
i have considered the other pillow masks and the aura looks interesting but the swift does not appeal to me. i like the hose going over my head and i seem to be able to sleep in any position without breaking the connection. i bought a hose sock and now can run HH one notch up without problems in a bedroom that has a window open all year.
hope this helps someone else.

peace