Your CPAP Mask Fitting Guide (Plus 6 Tips On How To Fit Your Mask At Home)

Finding a CPAP mask that fits can be quite the undertaking. Aeroflow Sleep offers 4 CPAP mask styles: full face masks, nasal masks, nasal pillow masks, and hybrid masks. Every one of these treats obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) through continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP,) but not every one may be right for you.

Today, we’ll go over the ins and outs of CPAP mask fitting, provide tips on how to fit your mask at home, and share some products covered up to 100% through insurance when you choose Aeroflow Sleep as your CPAP equipment supplier.

We are certain Goldilocks had sleep apnea in another life, because a common problem among OSA patients is whether their CPAP mask is too small, too big, or just right. The truth is CPAP mask sizes vary between brands and models, and the only surefire way to know if yours is perfect or not is to try it on.

How Do I Pick The Perfect CPAP Mask?

Start by asking yourself these 3 questions when determining which CPAP mask is right for you:

Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach says a lot about the type of mask you should  be wearing. OSA patients who sleep on their backs will have the least amount of difficulty adapting to a CPAP mask and can generally choose from any of the different mask styles.

Meanwhile, finding a comfortable CPAP mask for side and stomach sleepers can be challenging. In this case, try to avoid full face mask designs and opt for either a nasal mask or nasal pillow mask. Aeroflow Sleep recommends the Fisher & Paykel Evora Nasal CPAP Mask, because the tubing connects at the top of your head and pushes the air through a hollow mask frame. If you are also an active sleeper who tosses and turns at night or if you like to cuddle your bed partner, the tubing swivels, so it never gets in the way.

Sleeping with your mouth open at night is another important trait to identify when asking which CPAP mask is right for you. Nasal masks and nasal pillow masks leave the mouth free, which you may think is the best solution given that nothing is blocking your mouth. Think again! CPAP therapy is meant to treat your breathing, and air pressure can actually escape from your mouth when left exposed. Therefore, you wouldn’t be getting the proper CPAP therapy. A full face mask or hybrid mask is best for mouth breathers.

The ResMed AirFit F20 Full Face CPAP Mask is a popular choice among sleep apnea patients who breathe through their mouths, because it covers both the nose and mouth. If you do choose to wear a nasal mask or nasal pillow mask, you may also want to invest in a chin strap to keep the jaw closed while you sleep, and if you suffer from dry mouth, we recommend adding a humidifier to your collection of medical equipment too. Either is the ideal CPAP mask setup for mouth breathers.

Facial hair is the pride and joy of many, and there is a CPAP mask solution for having both a beard and sleep apnea—and it’s not shaving. A nasal pillow mask will do the trick, because unlike nasal masks, CPAP nasal pillows are physically inserted into the nasal passages. How to tell if CPAP nasal pillows fit is if they are cradling beneath the nose rather than over it, and it is for this reason that we recommend the ResMed Air Fit P10 Nasal Pillows CPAP Mask for patients with facial hair. 

6 CPAP Mask Fitting Tips

One of the benefits of joining the Aeroflow Sleep Program is that we schedule an initial setup with you, in person or via telehealth. During your setup, a clinician will show you how to use your CPAP machine as well as how to wear your new mask. You don’t have to be fitted for a CPAP mask, but it can help to know how to adjust yours at home if this is your first time.

Here are 6 tips our clinicians share:

1. Loosen the headgear, and then tighten it slowly
2. Make sure you can get one finger under each strap
3. Make sure your mask is not sitting too high or too low
4. Practice putting your mask on in front of the mirror
5. Make adjustments while lying in your preferred sleeping position
6. Fit your mask in the daytime BEFORE you need it

Doing this will also prevent nose sores and red marks. Remember, a perfect fit is only as good as its application, so be diligent and thorough.

CPAP Mask Fitting FAQ

These 3 questions are frequently asked by OSA patients who have a poorly fitting mask, so let’s review the answers together!

A strong indication of your CPAP mask being too tight is if you can’t get one finger under each strap. To loosen your CPAP mask, adjust either side of the headgear until it lays flat against your temples. Go ahead and turn your CPAP machine on, so you can feel the air blowing. Finally, tighten the mask until there are zero air leaks and do not tighten any further than that.

Take care and know the difference between when it is your mask and when it is claustrophobia. New OSA patients often feel like the mask is stifling when they first put it on. Over time, this feeling should pass. If that feeling does not pass or that feeling doesn’t apply to you, then you may want to consider if your CPAP mask is too small.

If you notice the mask cutting into your skin and leaving red marks in the morning, it’s time to call Aeroflow Sleep about swapping out your CPAP mask for a different size. Luckily, Aeroflow Sleep has a free 30-day mask swap guarantee if you are not 100% satisfied.

Recurring mask leaks and air blowing in your eyes may tell you if your CPAP mask is too big, and the same opportunity applies; Aeroflow Sleep will let you swap it for another within the first 30 days. No questions asked.

Sleep Well & Live Better With Aeroflow Sleep

We understand that having a sleep disorder is tricky enough without navigating mask sizing, so ask your doctor or healthcare provider if a new mask is right for you. Then, reach out to Aeroflow Sleep for excellent service and a customized experience. Fill out our online qualify form below, if you've never worked with Aeroflow Sleep before. You'll soon find out we’re here to help!