I cannot count the number of times that someone has called to ask why there is always air leaking from their CPAP mask. In many cases that leak is an issue, but in just as many cases it is no issue at all. Let’s take a look at the different reasons for mask leak.
CPAP Mask Exhalation Port
No matter which CPAP mask you own, there will be air constantly blowing out of the designated exhalation port. This “leak” is essential in the performance of your CPAP mask. The air escaping from your CPAP masks exhalation port is designed to flush CO2. That is obviously essential to your breathing, so it is important that your exhalation port remain open and free of obstruction. The port is usually on the front of the mask. It may make some noise or may be difficult to notice at all.
General Mask Leak
If the air leaking from your CPAP mask is not coming from an obvious exhalation port, then it may be a problem. In most cases the leak is coming from a gap between your skin and the CPAP mask. The most common area is around the nose. For others the leak may be on the cheeks at the side of the mask or below the lip. All of these leaks are usually corrected with very little issue. So, let’s break it down in more detail.
Mask Leak around the bridge of your nose– This is usually when a standard nasal mask or full-face mask doesn’t match up to the users nose well. In these cases, you should start by tightening the mask slightly until the leak goes away. If the tightening becomes uncomfortable or painful, then you will need to check out a different style mask that avoids this problem area. Typically, a low-profile mask like the DreamWear line or ResMed versions does a good job. They will provide a seal without any contact to the bridge of the nose at all.
Mask leak on the side of the nose– This leak is usually caused by the exact opposite reason as the previous mask. If you start with a low-profile mask like the DreamWear or N30i, then you may have an issue with leak at the side of the nose. The first step to resolve this is to size down one cushion size and slightly tighten the mask. If that doesn’t work, and you like the fit of the mask then you may want to consider ordering the pillow version of that mask, such as the DreamWear Pillows or P30i. The pillows will stay in place much better than the cradle design. If all those steps fail, then it is time for a more traditional style CPAP mask like an Eson 2 nasal mask or the Vitera full face mask.
Mask leak to the sides or below the lip- This is another very common leak. In most cases you can slightly tighten the mask incrementally to account for the leak. If it gets to the point where the tightening is causing discomfort, then you may need a mask change. The more surface area that you have to seal the better the chance of a leak. That means the larger the mask the better chance it will have an issue. When you are in this scenario the best bet is to go to a smaller style mask. If you are on a minimal contact full face like the Amara View or the DreamWear Full, then you may want to consider something smaller like the DreamWisp or N30i Nasal Mask. If you are on a more traditional style full face like the Simplus, then you may want to consider a traditional nasal like the Eson 2 or maybe even a nasal pillow mask.
What if the leak isn’t from the mask?
In many cases you may hear air escaping, notifying you of a leak, but the noise isn’t coming from the mask. This can occur for a few different reasons. These are the main leaks that we have encountered outside of the mask leak:
Bad Tubing– It is very common that tubing will tear or pull loose from a connection point. Start at the junction of the mask and work your way down to the connection at the back of the CPAP. As you inspect the length of the tube look for any stretched areas or tears. It may also be a good idea to disconnect and reconnect the tubing to make sure that it has a solid connection.
Humidifier Chamber Leak– You humidifier chamber on the CPAP typically has silicone seals that keep it airtight. If one of those seals is torn, or bent, you may experience air leaking from that point. To inspect the humidifier chamber, you should remove it from the CPAP, open it up and take a look at all the seals to make sure that there is no damage. Then reinsert the chamber, making sure it is snapped in place securely.
Internal CPAP issues– Inside of the CPAP are seals and a blower motor. Over time these parts can go bad. If the noise is coming distinctly from the CPAP itself, then the only troubleshooting method is to inspect the filter. If the filter is clean, then you will have to contact your provider or a repair facility. For more information on CPAP repairs, click here.