Auscultation has been used by physicians for a long time to gain information about the cardiac and respiratory systems. This is typically done using an acoustic stethoscope. Sound waves originating from the cardiac and respiratory systems travel through different mediums in the body, before reaching the surface, where it can be picked up by a suitable instrument, such as the stethoscope. However, interpretation of sounds through such instruments is subject to the training of the individual physician. An electronic version of the stethoscope can be used to overcome this challenge and further advance the method. The electronic stethoscope converts the acoustic wave to an electronic signal, such that it can be digitalised and further processed, allowing for objective and advanced interpretation.
Ear electroencephalography (EEG) is a type of sensing modality specifically designed to monitor brain activity during everyday activities. Through an ear-fitted device, physiological signals reflecting brain activity are measured. The device is a promising candidate to integrate multiple modalities for further monitoring of physiological signals, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and vocal tract sounds, with the prospect of joint processing with already exiting ear-EEG techniques. Such sounds could be recorded using a body-coupled microphone, fitted within the ear-EEG device.
Through this project, we seek to explore methods for combining measurements related to processes in the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system responses. More specifically, the project will combine signals recorded via ear-EEG, reflecting central nervous system processes, with signals recorded from a body-coupled microphone, reflecting responses from the autonomic nervous system. The body-coupled microphone will be integrated into the ear-EEG platform, enabling recording in real-life environments with a discrete and unobtrusive wearable device. This will advance the capabilities of the ear-EEG platform, adding to our understanding of interactions between the central and the autonomic nervous system. Furthermore, we seek to describe the origin and mechanisms of the cardiovascular sounds recorded in the ear.
This project is funded by the William Demant Foundation and T&W Engineering through a grant for the Center for Ear-EEG and from the Graduate School of Technical Sciences at Aarhus University.
