Custom-Fitted In- and Around-the-Ear Sensors for Unobtrusive and On-the-Go EEG Acquisitions: Development and...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering
• Wearable Technology
• Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)

Background:

• Traditional electroencephalography (EEG) often relies on obtrusive headgear.
• The need for discreet and comfortable EEG monitoring solutions is growing.
• Ear-centered EEG offers a potential for unobtrusive brain activity recording.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the performance and physical design of EARtrodes, an ear-centered EEG device.
• To assess EARtrodes' capability in capturing early and late auditory evoked responses.
• To demonstrate the potential of EARtrodes as a concealed brain-computer interface (BCI).

Main Methods:

• Development of EARtrodes featuring a custom-fitted earpiece and behind-the-ear component with flexible silicone-carbon fiber electrodes.
• Morphological and geometrical analysis of human ear anatomy to optimize electrode placement and device geometry.
• Creation of a universal earpiece to explore affordable, standardized solutions.

Main Results:

• EARtrodes' conductive silicone electrodes demonstrated high-quality EEG signal recording, comparable to traditional gold-plated electrodes.
• The device successfully captured early latency auditory evoked responses.
• Late latency results confirmed EARtrodes' ability to detect decision-making processes.

Conclusions:

• EARtrodes performance is validated as both a circum-aural and intra-aural EEG recording system.
• The device is suitable for diverse applications in audiology, neuroscience, and clinical research.
• EARtrodes presents a viable option for unobtrusive brain-computer interface applications.