Earable Platform with Integrated Simultaneous EEG Sensing and Auditory Stimulation
New earpiece reads brain signals while playing audio, enabling closed-loop neuromodulation.
Researchers led by Min Suk Lee and Gert Cauwenberghs at UC San Diego have developed a personalized in-ear EEG monitor (IEEM) that simultaneously captures brain signals from the outer ear and delivers audio playback through the same custom-molded earpiece. The device, accepted for publication at the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Neural Engineering, overcomes the limitations of traditional scalp-based EEG systems, which require extensive setup, conductive gels, and restrictive wiring. The custom earpiece is molded to match the user's ear anatomy, providing effective sound isolation and enabling direct audio transmission into the ear canal.
Testing of the assembled earpiece confirmed successful detection of electrooculography (EOG), eye blinks, jaw clenches, auditory steady-state responses (ASSR), and alpha modulation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements confirmed stable electrode-skin contact with impedance values similar to traditional dry electrodes. This integrated approach enables potential closed-loop neuromodulation applications, where brain activity is monitored in real-time and corresponding acoustic stimulation is delivered adaptively. The platform opens new possibilities for discreet, comfortable, and long-term brain monitoring and auditory stimulation in everyday settings.
- Custom-molded earpiece simultaneously captures EEG from outer ear and delivers audio playback
- Detects EOG, eye blinks, jaw clenches, ASSR, and alpha modulation with stable electrode-skin contact
- Enables closed-loop neuromodulation with real-time brain monitoring and adaptive acoustic stimulation
Why It Matters
This earable could replace bulky EEG caps, enabling discreet, long-term brain monitoring and personalized audio therapies.