The Aerobika is a handheld device that helps you clear mucus from your lungs by creating vibrations and gentle back-pressure as you exhale through it. It’s commonly prescribed for people with COPD, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and other conditions where mucus builds up in the airways. Using it correctly takes only about 10 to 15 minutes per session, but the technique matters.
How the Aerobika Works
When you breathe in through the Aerobika, air flows freely through an inhalation valve. The real work happens on the exhale. A one-way valve inside the device rapidly opens and closes as you breathe out, creating two effects at once: positive pressure that holds your airways open wider than normal, and oscillations (vibrations) that travel down into your lungs.
Those vibrations loosen mucus by changing its consistency, making it thinner and less sticky. The positive pressure, meanwhile, prevents smaller airways from collapsing during exhalation, so air can get behind the mucus and push it upward. Once the mucus has migrated toward your upper airways, you clear it out with a forced exhalation technique called a huff cough.
Step-by-Step Breathing Technique
Sit upright in a comfortable position. Good posture helps your lungs expand fully. Before you start, check the resistance indicator on the side of the device near the mouthpiece. It should be set to the level your respiratory therapist or healthcare provider recommended. If you need to adjust it, slide the indicator toward the “+” to increase resistance or toward the “–” to decrease it.
Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal your lips around it so no air escapes from the sides. Breathe in slowly and deeply through the device, taking a slightly larger breath than normal. Hold that breath for about 2 to 3 seconds. This pause gives air time to distribute evenly behind mucus in your smaller airways.
Now exhale actively through the device, not a forceful blast, but a steady breath that’s a bit stronger than your normal exhale. You should feel the device vibrating and hear a fluttering sound. If you don’t feel vibrations, you may need to increase the resistance setting or exhale with slightly more effort. Each exhale should last about 3 to 4 seconds.
Repeat this cycle of inhale, hold, and exhale for about 10 to 20 breaths. After completing a set, remove the mouthpiece and perform 2 to 3 huff coughs to expel the mucus you’ve loosened.
How to Do a Huff Cough
A huff cough is not the same as a regular cough. Take a medium breath in, then force the air out quickly through an open mouth, as if you’re trying to fog up a mirror. Keep your throat open rather than closing it the way you would during a normal cough. This technique moves mucus up without the chest strain of repeated hard coughing. If mucus reaches your mouth, spit it into a tissue.
After huffing, return to the Aerobika and complete another set of 10 to 20 breaths. Most sessions involve 2 to 4 sets with huff coughs between each one. A full session typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Setting the Right Resistance Level
The Aerobika has five resistance settings. The correct level depends on your lung capacity and condition, so your healthcare provider will choose your starting point. As a general guide, the resistance should feel challenging enough that you sense the vibrations clearly throughout your exhale, but not so high that you can’t sustain a full breath out or you feel lightheaded.
If you’re recovering from a flare-up or feeling more short of breath than usual, you may need to temporarily lower the setting. If breathing through the device feels too easy and you barely notice vibrations, it’s likely too low. Adjustments are simple: just slide the indicator on the side of the device.
Using the Aerobika With a Nebulizer
The Aerobika can be connected directly to a nebulizer so you receive aerosolized medication and airway clearance therapy at the same time. To set this up, remove the mouthpiece (or mask) from your nebulizer and attach the nebulizer to the open end of the Aerobika, opposite the mouthpiece.
This combination works well with medications that open your airways (like albuterol) or thin mucus (like hypertonic saline), since those drugs complement what the device is already doing. However, medications designed to stay in your lungs, such as inhaled antibiotics, should not be used through the Aerobika. The vibrations and airflow would push those drugs back out before they can be absorbed. Your provider will tell you which medications are appropriate for combined treatment.
How Often to Use It
Most people are prescribed 2 to 4 sessions per day, though your provider may recommend more or fewer depending on how much mucus you’re producing. If you also use a bronchodilator inhaler, using it about 15 minutes before your Aerobika session can help open your airways and make the clearance therapy more effective. Many people find sessions most productive in the morning, when mucus has pooled overnight, and in the evening before bed.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The device needs to be cleaned after every use to prevent bacteria from growing in the moist interior. The basic daily routine: disassemble the device, soak all parts in warm soapy water for 15 minutes, gently agitate them, then rinse thoroughly. Shake out the excess water and let everything air dry completely on a clean towel before reassembling.
For deeper disinfection, you have several options. Cold methods include soaking parts in 70% isopropyl alcohol or 3% hydrogen peroxide. Heat methods include boiling, microwaving (if the manufacturer’s instructions permit it for your model), or running the parts through the top rack of a dishwasher. Aim for a thorough disinfection at least once a week, or more often if you’re recovering from a respiratory infection.
Replace the entire device after 12 months of use, or immediately if any part cracks or breaks. Over time, the internal valve mechanism can wear down and lose its ability to generate consistent oscillations.
Who Should Not Use the Aerobika
The device is not safe for everyone. You should not use it if you have:
- Raised intracranial pressure (increased pressure inside the head)
- Unstable or very high blood pressure
- Recent surgery or injury to your face, mouth, or head
- Acute sinusitis or ear problems, including a perforated eardrum
- Pneumothorax (a collapsed lung caused by air leaking around the lung)
- Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
The positive pressure generated during exhalation can worsen any of these conditions. If you develop any of these issues while already using the Aerobika, stop using it and contact your healthcare provider.