Objective: To evaluate the effects of two common airway humidification methods applied to patients undergoing tracheostomy for different diseases, and to provide the evidence for airway humidification selection. Methods: A total of 154 patients who underwent tracheotomy in Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2016 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into groups according to the airway humidification methods [oxygen humidification and atomization (OHA) group and heat and moisture exchanger (HME) group] and etiology [laryngospasm group that needs short-term humidification (<5 days), and severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) group that needs long-term humidification (>30 days)]. The groups were compared in terms of relevant parameters of aspiration, viscosity of sputum, humidification effects, sputum scab formation, secondary pulmonary infection degrees and average daily nursing times. Results: In laryngospasm patients, partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), respiratory rate, viscosity of sputum, humidification effects, sputum scab formation ratio and secondary pneumonia ratio all showed no significant difference between OHA group and HME group. Meanwhile, the average daily nursing times in OHA group was significantly less than that in HME group. In the patients with STBI, the PO₂, SpO₂ and humidification effects in HME group were superior to those in OHA group. The respiratory rate, viscosity of sputum, and sputum scab formation ratio were significantly lower in HME group. However, the number of nursing times each day in HME group was significantly more than that in OHA group. Conclusion: Airway humidification method should be chosen according to the disease features, proper selection of humidification method can effectively reduce the working load when ensuring medical treatment quality.