Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

Mask longevity
#1
Mask longevity
Wondering what the tell tale signs are that you need a new mask and how long do they last.

In my experience the Profile Lite Gel lasts a few years. It's maybe not 100% as firm but it still seals and will do the job.

I've seen here and there some mention of people getting new masks or cushions in a relatively short period of time. How about you?
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Mask longevity
It kind of depends on the mask.
A Fitlife will easily go a year or more.
Eson I can get several mos out of a cushion.
Using Dreamwear now, seems fine after a month
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: Mask longevity
I am kinda wondering about this issue too. I am also curious about prolonging the life of a mask. I have decided to stop using hot water on my Amara view cushions everyday. They kinda do not seal as well as they age but mine is unintentionally 2 months old because my dme does not like me anymore. I have one coming tomorrow from amazon. It seems as though the hot water softens it too much so it is more likely to have blow-outs.
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Mask longevity
My nasal pillows last a couple months before they start leaking. Not sure if you are referring to these or not.
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: Mask longevity
The company from which I've bought my masks recommended that I get a new one every 3 months because there was evidence that it retained bacteria after that. I never followed that advice. But I did get a new one every year, on average because of what they said. The mask I have now I have had for well over a year. It's a little floppy around the edges but works just fine.
Post Reply Post Reply
#6
RE: Mask longevity
My Simplus FFM is coming up 2 years and going strong. My P10 pillows need replacing about every 6 to 9 months. As far as I know there isn't any hard and fast rule on this. I keep using a mask until I start getting significant leaks.
Crimson Nape
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com
___________________________________
Useful Links -or- When All Else Fails:
The Guide to Understanding OSCAR
OSCAR Chart Organization
Attaching Images and Files on Apnea Board
Apnea Helpful Tips

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#7
RE: Mask longevity
I suspect much of it depends on who is paying. If it insurance, then more frequently. If out pocket, less so. I beleive the masks would last longer than suggested replacement. The question is about hygiene. The Medicare guidlines are two cushions per month, strap replacement at 3 mo, full mask at 6 months. The reason for this is the mask, tube, and certainly the water chamber is a perfect spot for bacteria to grow; warm, moist, and dark, well the water chamber anyway. As this is respiratory equipment, there is a high risk for bacteria. Viruses could also be a problem if there is an illness.

Clean your mask daily, and I am sure you will get more than a few weeks. I sispect much if it depends on what you are using and how long it lasts with proper care. That said, you are runing warm moits air through it that is going into your lungs for 6-8 hours every day... How long should it last?
Post Reply Post Reply
#8
RE: Mask longevity
Before insurance. I would go a year on a Quattro FFM. Now with insurance, new Airfit F10 FFM mask frame every 3 months, new mask cushion every month, new headgear every 6 months. Using mask wipes nightly can reduce how often I give it a full soaking and wash which I do weekly. I keep the wash water (and white vinegar and baby shampoo) warm and not hot so I reduce the damage to the silicon from the heat.
Post Reply Post Reply
#9
RE: Mask longevity
Retailers and manufacturers used the Medicare guidelines mostly to push their product, not because of hygiene concerns. If you regularly wash your equipment, it's a non-issue for 99% of folks.

You do not need hot water to wash your equipment. Tepid is fine. It's the cleaner you use - 1:8 vinegar, Dawn, disinfectant - that eliminates bacteria and such. Replace your cushions when leaking becomes excessive, your mask frame when it's not working or breaks and your mask headgear when the velcro fails or the thing is so stretched it is too loose.

You can extend the life of your leaky cushions by boiling them for 5 minutes. It will either work or it won't. If your headgear is loose, try washing in hot water and drying or even removing from mask and tossing in washing machine/dryer. Very often you can shrink it and it will be useful again for a period of time. Mask frames depend on what they are and how they work. The P10 has problems with that mesh gumming up over time. A longer soak in vinegar seems to help, but I know I'll just have to replace the thing annually. Someone found one of those high pressure tooth sprayers (Waterpik) will help clean that out, so if you have one of those, try it out.

I've had my Dreamwear cushion for over a solid 2 months and it is just now starting to have some leaking issues. So, I'll switch off tonight to a new one (my first!) cushion and try the boiling method on the other to see if it works with this new design.
Post Reply Post Reply
#10
RE: Mask longevity
Boiled my wisp cushion after past 4th month, and it worked for a couple more weeks. Boiled it a second time and it didn't function so well compared to a new one. Had already written it off by then but curious about how these consumables perform.

Visual inspection shows the cushion edge shape, where it hugs the bridge of the nose, appearing to straighten out a bit compared to the new one. Lost a bit of its curve. Not sure if it's due to boiling or just wear pressure over time.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  CPAP mask straps are loose and no longer keep the mask on my face WWu777 8 2,526 03-29-2023, 08:12 AM
Last Post: DaveL
  Resmed P30i pillow mask user unable to get beyond 1.5 hr on mask Roy289 28 3,215 09-27-2022, 10:47 AM
Last Post: Roy289
  Advice for f and p vitera mask leaks full face mask accetableplaintain 2 3,757 03-23-2022, 09:37 AM
Last Post: SarcasticDave94
  Help with mask, Definition of EPAP/IPAP and Mask Pressure wesozzzz 1 1,094 11-15-2019, 07:57 PM
Last Post: Sleepster
  What's the mask setting of Dreamstation for Bleep DreamPort mask? ChinaMan 5 2,426 10-11-2019, 07:17 PM
Last Post: ChinaMan
  Changing mask from p10 resmed to philips respironics: Mask seal issue Visitor 10 4,833 10-11-2019, 07:25 AM
Last Post: Sleeprider
  Personal Experience On Nasal Mask Compared with Full Face Mask ramphil2019 19 4,531 04-07-2019, 12:01 AM
Last Post: ramphil2019


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.