Adaptive optimal kernel (AOK) and Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) marginal spectrum methods were introduced to process acoustic signals from effervescent atomizer. The time-frequency results reflected the information of bubble pressure, bubble size and gas liquid mass ratio fluctuation which had significant impacts on spray. The experimental results showed that the outflow moment of bubble could be accurately captured by AOK time-frequency spectrum, and the pulsation of amplitude could reflect the gas-liquid mass ratio fluctuation. The Hilbert marginal spectrum power was concentrated in a short frequency range. The power-frequency distribution was affected by gas-liquid pressure and gas-liquid mixture form. The Hilbert marginal spectrum power was symmetric with the center frequency which was positively correlated with bubble pressure, but little correlated with bubble size. Time-frequency analysis of acoustic signals from effervescent atomizer provides a new tactics for further study of the mechanism for effervescent atomization.