behind-the-ear cpap mask

[alm751]

As someone who has a tremendous amount of claustrophobia, I've been told that a mask that loops behind the ears might be the best option. I have now tried 6 masks that have not worked. I'm desperate! Has anyone tried a mask that loops behind the ears? Pros and cons? Other recommendations welcome. TIA.

[Pugsy]

It would be nice to know the exact names of the 6 masks that you tried and they didn't work so we won't waste our time or yours by mentioning something you already tried and failed with.

What does "behind the ear" mean exactly?

[zonker]

please note posters history. never comes back in to let anyone know whether past suggestions have worked or not.

maybe this time it'll be different.

[robysue1]

As someone who has a tremendous amount of claustrophobia, I've been told that a mask that loops behind the ears might be the best option. I have now tried 6 masks that have not worked. I'm desperate! Has anyone tried a mask that loops behind the ears? Pros and cons? Other recommendations welcome. TIA.

If you are talking about the Resmed Swift FX with Bella Loops mask, then I can provide some insight since I have tried that mask in the past.

If you have earlobes that are not attached, this can be a great little mask. But it shares the pillows unit and the short hose with the Swift FX mask, and the exhaust venting is not diffused. For some people, that non-diffused exhaust venting is deal breaker. It can feel like a jet plane, and if it hits your bedcovers, it can be noisy. Because the vent holes are angled downwards, the exhaust flow also can hit the user right in the chest. (I use a homemade, unauthorized "diffuser" on top of the vent holes on my Swift FX, but most people are not comfortable with that idea.)

If your earlobes are attached (like mine are), the Bella Loops can pull on the earlobes, and after a while that can be a bit painful. I have found that I really can't use the Bella Loops for more than one or two nights before my ear lobes are screaming for a break. Adding some Bella Loop Covers from Padacheek helps, but does not eliminate the problem for me. As a consequence, I've pretty much given up on the Bella Loops even though they provide a lot more "freedom" to move my hair around (and off my neck) while I'm in bed on hot, sticky summer nights when we don't have the AC on.

Because the Bella Loops mask shares the pillows unit and small hose with the Swift FX nasal pillows mask, it also has some of the same potential problems with stability that the Swift FX has. Some people find that they have to work pretty hard to keep the Swift FX masks to maintain their seals. Other people (like myself) have no problems with this at all. It's important to note that both normal version and the Bella Loops version of the Swift FX should be worn quite loosely; the seal is an air cushion seal, and if the straps are pulled too tight, that prevents the nasal pillows from fully inflating. Another potential problem is that the short hose is quite heavy. For some people, this seems to cause the pillows to pull away from the nostrils, but again, for some reason that's never been a particular problem for me. It may be that I tend to sleep on my side and I usually hold that small hose in my hand as I go to sleep.

Finally, there's also this to consider: If you're a dedicated mouth breather*, then nasal pillows masks will require you to find some way to minimize mouth breathing in your sleep. Given that you have claustrophobia, adding a chin strap or taping your mouth may be a deal breaker if you are also a dedicated mouth breather.

*By "dedicated mouth breather", I mean someone who breathes through their mouth most or all of the time, even when awake.

PS: I think I still have some lightly used Bella Loops in my stash of stuff. If you would be interested in trying them out, PM me.