AirSense 10 leak rate baseline issue

[Phil7]

I have a new AirSense 10 that is 2 months old.   No matter what mask I wear, and no matter what parts I replace (water tank, seals, hose, etc.), there is always a base line leak rate floor of between about 2.5 to 13.

For example, two nights ago I was wearing a P10 mask.   The baseline leak rate floor was 2.4.    Today with the same (new mask), and where there are no leaks anywhere that I can feel, the leak rate floor is static at 10 to 12 (depending on test).    This includes the fact that while testing I thoroughly cleaned hose, water tank, mask, etc (sink filled with warm water and soap, rubbed down all parts and connections with a pad).    Pressure range tests (4 though 20) make almost no difference at all.   I even did tests to check the leak rate with an empty water tank vs a full water tank (no difference of course).

I'm going a bit bonkers trying to figure this out.   No matter what day it is (randomly) and no matter what I clean well, or what part I replace, there is always a baseline leak rate floor of 2.4 to 13 (with a 10 being the normal day to day average base leak rate).   Also, through years of using Dreamstations, I always had a baseline leak rate of 0.   I'm out of ideas for anything new to try at this point.

Thanks

[SarcasticDave94]

Make certain all your connections, hose, mask, humidifier, are solidly seated in place. Try that first then look at the humidifier donut seals, holes in the hose, etc.

[Phil7]

Well this is interesting.   I just tried a short test.   Then I switched out the water tank with an old one (tiny improvement maybe).   Then I put the newer water tank back in and there was a big improvement on that re-seating.   Then, I tried a full face mask (from a P10 on the first 2 tests), and the full face mask had almost the same base leak rate as the pillow mask, after the reseating of the newer tank.

I've changed both the seals on the machine also.    So weird. I never once had a leak problem on a Dreamstation and never once changed any part (after years of use).

Thanks, I'm going to keep trying to figure this out.

[Phil7]

OK interesting (yippee).   

With a full face mask still attached, I removed the removable seal and thoroughly wiped it down with a mask wipe.   I also wiped down the inlet port seal (that I don't think is removable or changeable).   Then I did 4 tests where between each test I removed the water chamber and pressed it back in.    3 of the 4 tests showed a zero leak rate period, with the first and last test being the best.    What's interesting is the 2nd test had a baseline of 4 (just from that 1 out of 4 random chamber insertion).

It's much more relaxing knowing exactly what the problem is now.  But, what else could I possibly try to make this less of a problem?

[cathyf]

Hmmmm... I have this problem where I get a really loud squeal, which I can make go away by pushing the water chamber in really hard. I can't detect any movement at all, but the squeal stops. Sometimes that doesn't do it and I have to pull the tub out and almost slam it back in.

This didn't start until about 6 years in, though, and I have chalked it up to some slight deterioration in the seal(s). Maybe you have a seal that's kind of flakey from day zero? But also my experience is leak=noise -- and a LOT of noise. I'm puzzled that you are seeing the leaks in the data and not hearing them?

[Phil7]

Right, nothing seems wrong with the noise level of the machine to me.   I don't normally use a full face mask, but left one on last night.    The last water chamber reseat I made showed a zero baseline leak rate.  At the very least, I was happy to see that the zero leak rate baseline actually held all night last night.     All from just removing and reseating the (2 week old) new seal and the random nature of one of those 4 water chamber inserts afterwards.

I'm super happy I understand what's going on now though.

[FriedRice]

I also have an Airsense 10 and can't get my leak rate below 7L/min. I'm using Bleep Dreamports too which don't leak at all. Can't figure it out. I use mouth tape as well. I even tried mouth tape + chin strap last night and still had a 7/min leak rate.

Could it be the machine itself? I took out the water chamber and put it back in. No difference.

[earnerd]

I want to revive this thread for ideas on how I can resolve my mask leaks. I am typically running a 14-17 95% leak rate.

Could these baseline leaks not be related to the natural venting of the masks?

[FriedRice]

It's really heard to say. I was previously using a Resvent ibreeze machine (terrible machine btw). I started off with a full face mask then tried several others. The P10 Nasal worked well for me however it was giving me hair issues. That led me to try the Bleep Dreamports. I haven't looked back since.

I also tape my mouth which did wonders for my leak rate. With the other masks I was using a chin strap which also worked well.

Since I got my Airsense 10, my leak rate will vary from 0L/min to as much as 15L/min depending on the night. I believe mine is coming from small mouth leaks even though I'm using Hush Strips mouth tape. It also will depend on the position I sleep in.

I think the Airsense 10 does a better job than the ibreeze at accurately measuring leak rates. With the ibreeze my leak rate was always 0L/min.

[Deborah K.]

Keep in mind that unless the leaks are physically bothering you, such as getting in your eyes or something these leaks are harmless.  The numbers you are talking about are not high enough to interfere with your therapy.  They have to be 24 or more to be a problem.  I would not worry about them.