Inhaling air when you smoke and toke is not so pleasant.
Check ALL your connections for a leak. Plain old toilet paper is great for plugging leaks.
I am smoking this very hookah hose :
I realized after using it often a slight  leak in the hose  connection. I think it was from being less than gentle
in using and storage.
You can use the sticky kind of electric tape which is perfect to seal 100%, try putting those coloured pony-tail¬† elastic rings to cover it up. I like them as added colour to my hoses. I know its so Levantine, but so is hookah. I live¬† “somewhere in the Middle-East” so its nice added deco.
To check your hose don’t¬† put water in it, but puff and blow out the smoke. If you see smoke “there is¬† no fire”¬† just a leak.No need to throw out the hose.
Hookah1