Not your father’s sleep apnea mask: 4 reasons to give new CPAP masks a try

It’s bulky. It’s complicated. It’ll cover my whole face. I won’t be able to move all night. I’ll sound like Darth Vader.

These are common thoughts to have when you learn that you need sleep apnea therapy. Sleep apnea is a medical condition with symptoms that can leave you feeling fatigued and groggy. Yet the thought of strapping a mask to your face every night may seem like even more of a hassle than your symptoms.

But what if those stereotypical masks were becoming a thing of the past? What if there were new, modern CPAP masks that were smaller, easy to use and didn’t make you sound like a sci-fi character all night? Here are 4 reasons to give new CPAP masks a try.

#1: Modern CPAP masks are designed to be smaller, lighter and more comfortable

Years of innovation based on research and user feedback has resulted in different CPAP mask technology that’s made them more comfortable and easier to use than older models. “Our goal is to help people get a better night’s sleep,” said Rowan Ellis, Director of Mask and Resupply at Resmed. “They can’t do that if they’re uncomfortable, so we’ve been developing masks that are smaller, lighter and just make sense with how people sleep and how they live.”

For example, Resmed AirFit™ N30 is a small, lightweight and quiet nasal mask option that blows away those old CPAP stereotypes. Rather than being bulky, heavy or covering the whole face, AirFit N30’s cushion (the part that sits on your face) rests under the nose without covering the mouth, or much of the face at all. If you’ve been hesitant about starting CPAP therapy because of how it looks or feels, this minimalist design should put you at ease. Plus, 94% of CPAP users in a recent study found AirFit N30 to be comfortable to wear.¹

With AirFit N30, starting therapy has never been easier.

#2: The smallest CPAP masks can also be less complicated

CPAP masks don’t need to have complicated straps, buckles or belts to stay on your head all night. Some of the smallest and lightest CPAP masks on the market – like AirFit N30 and the AirFit P10 nasal pillows mask – are also designed to be super easy to use:

• The headgear for these masks is designed to be so quick and easy to put on it’s called QuickFit™ and goes on like a pair of swim goggles.
• It’s designed to fit right out of the box and adjusting it is as simple as moving the placement of the split straps on your head.
• The AirFit N30 also includes a single side-clip if any further adjustments are needed. As one user who tried AirFit N30 in a clinical study put it, “It can’t get any easier than this.”¹

#3 New CPAP masks give you the freedom to sleep however you want

If you think you have to sleep in one position all night with CPAP therapy, think again. While past masks could lose their seal or become uncomfortable when you rolled on your side, newer masks are designed to help you sleep comfortably in whatever position works best for you. The cushion on AirFit N30, for example, has a narrow profile designed to hug the curves of your nose so it stays in place and keeps your therapy effective.

Models such as AirFit N30i and AirFit P30i are designed with the air tubing connection on top of your head rather than in front of your face, keeping the tubing out of your way. So if you’re an active sleeper, don’t worry, there are a variety of options designed to let you roll onto your side, change positions and find what’s comfortable for you.

#4: Whisper-quiet masks are helping to make CPAP noise a non-factor

You may imagine every exhale of your CPAP mask is going to sound just like Darth Vader’s respirator, but sleep apnea therapy doesn’t have to make you sound like you’re part machine. Many Resmed masks, including AirFit N30 and AirFit P10, feature QuietAir™ vent technology, which breaks up exhaled air so it spreads out lightly and quietly.

Now wearing a CPAP mask sounds more like a whisper than a monster, so you, your partner, your dog, your cat and anyone else in the room can enjoy peace and quiet.

New CPAP masks could mean an all-new you

Starting something new like sleep apnea therapy can be intimidating. Maybe you’ve even tried it and gave up because you didn’t have the right mask. But with so many modern CPAP masks available today, don’t let those notions of what CPAP therapy was like in the past keep you from discovering how it can help you today.

If you’re not already on CPAP therapy and think you may have sleep apnea, take this sleep quiz to see if you’re at risk. If you are on therapy but are looking for a new mask, find out more about Resmed AirFit N30 and ask your equipment provider if it’s right for you.

*As of October 21, 2019. The total weight of AirFit N30, which includes the headgear and excludes the packaging, is 45g.

This blog post contains general information about medical conditions and potential treatments. It is not medical advice. If you have any medical questions, please consult your doctor.

References

1. Source: Resmed guided external clinical study of 17 evaluable CPAP mask users from Feb. 12–25, 2019 in Sydney, AU who trialed Resmed AirFit N30 at home for 7 nights in place of their prescribed mask, Resmed AirFit P10. CPAP users rated objective criteria for AirFit N30 and AirFit P10 on a Likert Scale of 0-10.