Struggling With CPAP? Here’s How to Make Therapy Comfortable Again

No one really tells you how tricky the first few nights of CPAP therapy can be.
You lie there, trying to sleep, but the mask feels wrong. The air pressure feels off. The hose pulls when you move. And sleeping with something strapped to your face? Yeah… not exactly cosy.

We get it, when something that’s supposed to help you sleep ends up keeping you awake, it’s easy to feel frustrated. And you’re not alone. Comfort issues are one of the biggest reasons people give up on CPAP too early. 

But just like breaking in a new pair of shoes, CPAP takes time. It might feel awkward at first, but once everything fits the way it should, things start to feel right. This guide will help you get there, one small adjustment at a time, so you can finally start getting the sleep you’ve been looking for.

What Makes CPAP Uncomfortable

So what’s actually making CPAP feel so uncomfortable? CPAP therapy has a lot of moving parts – quite literally. And when even one of those pieces feels off, it can throw off your whole night.

But here’s the thing. Most of these issues have surprisingly simple fixes. But in order to make them better, we first need to understand why they’re happening. Knowing what’s behind your discomfort is the first step toward turning things around and making CPAP therapy work the way it should.

Mask Discomfort or Poor Fit

A poorly fitting mask is often one of the biggest reasons CPAP feels uncomfortable when you’re starting out. A mask that’s too tight can press into your skin and leave behind red marks or sore spots by morning.¹ If it’s too loose, it can shift as you sleep, breaking the seal and reducing the effectiveness of your therapy.³ On top of that, warm skin and trapped sweat can cause irritation, breakouts, or even small sores, especially if your mask isn’t cleaned often.²

These little things might seem minor, but they add up. When your mask doesn’t feel right, getting to sleep can feel like a nightly battle.

Dryness, Irritation, or Congestion  

Another common culprit behind CPAP discomfort is right in the air itself. The steady flow of pressurised air helps keep your airway open, but it’s often cold and dry. That can leave your mouth feeling parched, your throat scratchy, or your nose stuffy.² For some, it feels like breathing with a fan pointed straight at your face all night. If you already have allergies or sensitive sinuses, this dryness can build up and make things worse.³

Adding to that, air leaks around your mask can intensify the problem. If your mask shifts or doesn’t seal properly, that airflow might sneak out and hit your face in all the wrong places, drying out your eyes and nose.⁴ These kinds of irritations are especially common in the early days of therapy, when you’re still getting used to the setup.

Noise or Pressure Sensitivity 

For some people, it’s not the mask or dryness that gets in the way. It’s the pressure itself. If your settings are too high, it can feel like you’re pushing against a wind tunnel just to exhale. If they’re too low, you might feel like you’re not getting enough air at all. Either way, discomfort builds quickly. Some people even report a burning sensation in their lungs from inhaling cold, dry air, or a tight feeling in the chest from fighting against strong pressure.² This can make it harder to relax or fall asleep. In some cases, the imbalance can lead to aerophagia, where air ends up in your stomach instead of your lungs, causing bloating, gas, or belly discomfort.¹

Then there’s the noise. Most modern machines are fairly quiet, but they’re not always silent. Leaks from a loose-fitting mask or worn-out tubing can create sharp hissing sounds, and even the soft hum of the motor might be enough to disturb light sleepers or your bed partner.⁴ If you’re already sensitive to sound or trying to adjust to the overall sensation of CPAP, that extra noise can feel like just one more thing keeping you up.

Claustrophobia 

If you feel a bit trapped or anxious when wearing your CPAP mask, you’re not alone. Claustrophobia is a common reaction, especially for those just starting therapy.¹ Having something strapped to your face while trying to sleep isn’t exactly the most natural feeling. For some, it can trigger panic or a sense of being boxed in.² This discomfort can be enough to disrupt sleep or make it hard to stick with therapy.

If any of those struggles sound familiar, know that they’re incredibly common in the early days of CPAP. But they don’t mean therapy isn’t working. They usually just mean something needs adjusting.

And when you’re tempted to give up, it’s worth remembering that sleep apnoea isn’t only about snoring or waking up tired. When left untreated, it has been linked to serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even a shorter lifespan.⁵ That’s why finding ways to make therapy more comfortable isn’t just about better sleep. It’s also about protecting your long-term health.

So… what now? How do you turn a frustrating setup into something you can actually sleep with? Let’s walk through a few simple changes that could make all the difference.

How to Make CPAP Therapy More Comfortable

Choose the right mask style and size for you

Let’s start with the part that touches your face every night: your mask. If it feels uncomfortable, shifts around, or leaks air, you’re not going to sleep well. That’s why getting the fit right is one of the most important steps to improving comfort.

1. Choose the right mask style

Not all masks are created equal, and not all of them will feel right for you. Some cover more of your face, while others are barely there. It really comes down to how you breathe and sleep.

Here’s a quick guide:

• Full-face masks cover your mouth and nose. They’re great if you breathe through your mouth or move around a lot while you sleep.
• Nasal masks rest over your nose. They’re a solid all-rounder and work well for most people.
• Nasal cradle masks sit under the nose and feel lighter on the face, which some people find more comfortable.
• Nasal pillows seal at the nostrils and have minimal contact with your face. Perfect if you sleep on your side or feel claustrophobic.

If you’re not sure where to start, trying different styles can make a big difference.³ You can also check out our CPAP Mask Guide for a more in-depth breakdown.

2. Make sure the size fits your face

Even the right style can feel wrong if it doesn’t fit your face. CPAP masks usually come in different sizes, but sizing isn’t always consistent between brands or models. A medium in one mask might not be a medium in another.

To help you find the best fit, many brands provide printable measuring guides that you can download directly from our mask product pages – look for the “Size Guides” or “Fitting templates” link under the product description. These guides allow you to measure at home and compare your results to the manufacturer’s sizing chart.

If you’re unsure, contact us here for help with measuring. A well-fitted mask could improve comfort, reduce leaks, and help you get the most out of your therapy.

Use a heated humidifier or tubing 

If you’re dealing with dryness, irritation, or congestion during CPAP therapy, a heated humidifier or heated tubing can make a huge difference. These features add warmth and moisture to the airflow before it reaches your nose and throat, helping your airways stay more comfortable throughout the night. This extra moisture can reduce dryness, scratchiness in the throat, and nasal stuffiness.

Heated tubing, like the ResMed AirSense 11 ClimateLineAir, takes it a step further by keeping the air temperature consistent as it travels through the hose. This helps prevent “rainout” – when warm, moist air cools inside the tubing and turns into water droplets.

Humidity and temperature work together. In Auto Climate Control mode, the tube-humidifier pairing self-regulates – often targeting around 27°C in the tube and about 85% relative humidity. In Manual Mode, you can fine-tune settings yourself; for example, some users choose a tube temperature of about 22°C with humidity level 2 or 3, adjusting based on whether the air feels too dry or too moist.

Tips for balancing comfort and avoiding condensation (rainout):

• Start with the humidity set just under halfway of your machine’s maximum, adjusting in small increments.
  
• Typical tube temperature ranges from 16 – 30°C, with the AirSense 10 often defaulting to about 27°C.
  
• If condensation occurs:
  
  • Lower the humidity level
    
  • Increase the tube temperature
    
  • Warm your bedroom slightly
    
  • Place the CPAP machine lower than your mask so water drains away from you

Together, a heated humidifier and heated tubing are a small upgrade that can make a big difference in sticking with therapy night after night.

Adjust your pressure settings 

Another thing that could help improve your comfort? Your pressure settings. If the airflow just doesn’t feel right, these features and equipment options might be worth exploring:

• Ramp feature: This setting starts you off with gentler air pressure when you first go to bed, then gradually increases it as you fall asleep. It’s a simple way to make the transition into sleep more comfortable.⁴
• APAP machines: These devices automatically adjust pressure levels throughout the night based on your breathing. That means you get just the right amount of support when you need it. But it’s not something to set up on your own. Your doctor still needs to prescribe the correct pressure range to avoid unwanted side effects.⁶
• Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR): Many CPAP machines offer EPR as a comfort feature. It works by slightly reducing the air pressure each time you exhale – making it easier and more natural to breathe out against the airflow. If you’re curious about whether EPR could help you, get in touch with our team – we can walk you through how it works and whether it’s available on your device.

If you think your pressure might need adjusting, don’t try to tweak it yourself. Always speak with your healthcare provider first. They will review your data, check how you are responding to therapy, and make the necessary changes to keep your treatment both safe and comfortable.⁶ 

Try CPAP Pillows, Mask Liners, or Hose Covers 

Sometimes, the secret to getting more comfortable with CPAP is adding a little extra cushion.

CPAP-specific pillows are designed with cut-outs or contours that make room for your mask and hose while you sleep. This helps reduce pressure on your face, keeps the mask from shifting, and can even lower the chances of leaks. If you’re a side sleeper, a CPAP pillow can be especially helpful since it supports your head without pressing into the mask.

Mask liners are soft fabric or silicone barriers that sit between your skin and the mask. They can reduce red marks, absorb moisture, and help prevent irritation from friction or trapped heat. Liners also create a better seal, which may reduce air leaks and make your therapy quieter and more comfortable.

Hose covers – often made from soft fleece or fabric – slip over your CPAP tubing to help keep the air inside warm as it travels from the machine to your mask. This extra insulation can reduce “rainout” (condensation forming in the hose) and make the air feel gentler to breathe. They can also prevent the hose from feeling cold against your skin if it brushes you during the night.

These add-ons are simple upgrades that can make a big difference in how your mask feels each night.

Clean your Equipment Regularly

Keeping your gear clean is one of the easiest ways to stay comfortable and avoid issues like leaks, skin irritation, or reduced performance. A quick daily wash of your mask cushion with warm, soapy water can help maintain a proper seal and keep oils and bacteria from building up. Weekly, give your mask, headgear, tubing, and humidifier chamber a deeper clean. Be sure to empty and refill your humidifier with fresh distilled water each day to prevent bacteria from growing.⁷

There are also dedicated tools and cleansers made just for CPAP equipment, which can make the process quicker and more effective.

For a full breakdown on what to clean and how often, check out our How to Clean and Maintain Your CPAP Equipment Guide.

Improve your sleep hygiene

Getting better sleep with CPAP isn’t always just about the mask or machine. Sometimes, it’s about setting the right mood for sleep altogether. A quiet, cool, and dim bedroom can make it easier to relax into therapy, and a regular bedtime routine helps your body know when it’s time to wind down. Whether that means unplugging a bit earlier, swapping late-night caffeine for something soothing, or adding a calming ritual before bed, small habits can have a big impact. If you need a few ideas to get started, our Ultimate Guide to Sleep Aids offers some simple ways to support deeper, more restful nights.

Quieting your CPAP Machine

Even the quietest CPAP setups can get noisy, especially if your hose vibrates or your mask doesn’t seal well. If you’re using the Transcend Micro, the WhisperSoft Muffler Kit can help. It fits between the machine and the hose to reduce airflow noise, making things feel calmer for both you and your partner. Just keep in mind, this muffler only works with the Transcend Micro.

For other machines, try these simple fixes:

• Check for air leaks and adjust or replace worn parts
• Place your machine on a soft surface to reduce vibrations
• Make sure your tubing is secure and not pulling against the mask

These small adjustments can make a big difference in reducing background noise, helping your CPAP feel like a quiet companion instead of a nighttime distraction.

Everyone’s comfort fix looks a little different, so start with whatever’s been bothering you most. A few thoughtful changes, even just one, could be all it takes to help your setup feel like part of your routine instead of something getting in the way of sleep.

Final Thoughts

Sticking with CPAP isn’t always simple, but it’s worth it. Getting comfortable might take some time, but each small win brings you closer to better sleep and better health. You’ve already taken the hardest step by starting therapy. Now it’s about finding what works for you. With a bit of trial and support, CPAP can become more than just a machine. It can be the key to waking up rested, refreshed, and ready to take on the day.