Aerobika

I find it works better for clearance than the Aerobika.

I also prefer the Aerobika to the Acapella because of the ease of cleaning and sterilizing it. The cleaning instructions state that it can be autoclaved and so it easily stands up to a baby bottle sterilizer! I clean (in sudsy water), rinse, and sterilize the Aerobika (Chicco 3-in-1 bottle sterilizer is nice and compact) daily and so do not have to fuss with distilled water, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, etc. as one does with the Acapella. The Aerobika is available, new, on eBay for about $40, and costs about twice that amount from a medical supply company, unless your insurance covers the device.

Sorry. I'm not sure what you are saying works better than the Aerobika? I must have missed something.

Thanks for the input. I hate to keep adding extra devices and procedures to dealing with this BE condition, but it sounds as if this Aerobika gets a thumbs up from all who have commented, so guess I will look into getting one. Interesting, but not good, that the insurance companies will cover the Acapella and not the Aerobika. Anyway, it doesn't look as if it's a very costly device. That's good.

I also use the Aerobika for all the same reasons ( ease of cleaning, use with the nebulizer) plus it withstands all the taking apart, cleaning, and reassembly that needs to be done so often. I tried the Acapella (provided and paid for by insurance) for a while and each time it broke so easily. So, I pay out of pocket for the Aerobika but it is a much better product.
Also, @carolj68, I use the Chicco baby bottle warmer/sterlizer the same as you! It's small and fits all the parts just right. All the other baby bottle sterlizers were like large countertop appliances and way to bulky!

Aerobika is definitely a good part of the arsenal. My diagnosing provider's (who didn't even mention airway clearance at first) office mentioned the Acapella at first. I bought it, hated it, and called them back to say I had heard in studies that the Aerobika is more effective. They said, "oh, yes, we like it more but didn't mention it as it's not generally covered by insurance." Why they didn't at least mention it...?

Importantly, I don't believe it has been mentioned that the Aerobika's recommended life is 6-12 months. NJH says 6 months and I have seen other places say 12 months. It's more about wear and tear, as I understand it. I alternate between a few (was fortunate to have a respiratory therapist friend hook me up with some after I bought my initial one) so am going with at least a year. A good respiratory therapist can also take a look at the mechanism inside to see if it's worn out, or not.

NJH also recommends using the manometer (meter for measuring your outward breath) attached to the Aerobika but I have found those don't seem to be widely used or available:
https://www.nationaljewish.org/conditions/medications/airway-clearance-techniques-devices/using-the-aerobika-with-a-manometer

I just looked at the Chico on Amazon. Do you use the very compact “new model” or the “old model.”

I assume that if a person purchases it via Amazon Prime (or some other online company), they must have to submit a claim along with a copy of the doctor's recommendation. It doesn't seem as if pharmacies stock these devices or that they can be obtained with a prescription. Am I correct?

Thanks for the input. I hate to keep adding extra devices and procedures to dealing with this BE condition, but it sounds as if this Aerobika gets a thumbs up from all who have commented, so guess I will look into getting one. Interesting, but not good, that the insurance companies will cover the Acapella and not the Aerobika. Anyway, it doesn't look as if it's a very costly device. That's good.