A new frontier in brain health monitoring is emerging, one that leverages a technology already ubiquitous in modern life: earbuds. An international research team has demonstrated that commercially available earbuds can detect and classify brain activity by measuring subtle changes in hearing, potentially opening doors to new applications in education, healthcare, and workplace safety.
The study, detailed in proceedings from the ACM International Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp) 2025, found that the devices can assess cognitive effort – a measure of the mental energy exerted during learning and task performance – and may even indicate early signs of cognitive decline.
How Earbuds Measure Brain Activity
Researchers utilized sensors within commercially available earbuds to evaluate cognitive effort. These sensors assess auditory evoked potentials, specifically subtle responses known as otoacoustic emissions, which are indicators of pressure on the brain and central nervous system. The team developed a prototype using a 10mm diameter earbud and a high-sensitivity microphone. Participants were engaged in listening tasks designed to induce varying levels of cognitive effort.
Nineteen individuals, aged 20 to 55, participated in the testing. To validate the findings, the team employed electroencephalography (EEG) – a traditional method for measuring brain electrical activity – as a benchmark for accuracy.
The researchers then developed an artificial intelligence model to classify the responses into four levels of mental effort. The AI’s performance was verified against the EEG data.
Cognitive Effort and Individual Differences
The study revealed a correlation between increased cognitive effort and heightened auditory sensitivity. Importantly, patterns varied based on demographic factors like age and gender, suggesting the potential for personalized health monitoring systems. This finding builds on the growing understanding of how brain signals can be translated into actionable insights.
“Ear-worn devices may help reduce mental strain, improve efficiency, and enhance safety and human-technology interaction in the future,” said Dr. Ting Dang, a lecturer in Digital Innovations at the University of Melbourne, and a lead researcher on the project. She added that these devices “are gradually transforming into a major health platform with the accelerating growth of the market and the entry of major technology companies into the healthcare field.”
Potential Applications Across Multiple Sectors
The implications of this research extend across a wide range of fields. In education, earbuds could potentially be used to identify when students are struggling with a concept or are most receptive to learning. In aviation and healthcare, monitoring cognitive strain could enhance safety and performance. The technology also holds promise for optimizing user experience design and improving performance in military settings.
The ability to detect moments of mental fatigue or peak cognitive readiness could allow for interventions to improve focus, reduce errors, and enhance overall well-being.
The Rise of EEG Technology in Consumer Devices
This research arrives alongside other advancements in accessible brain-computer interfaces. , French neuroscience brand Naox unveiled the Naox Wave, wireless earbuds equipped with electroencephalography (EEG) technology designed to capture brain activity during work, sleep, and exercise. The data collected is then analyzed within the Naox app to provide insights into mental wellness, cognitive performance, vigilance, focus, relaxation, and even biomarkers related to brain aging.
Similarly, Apple filed a patent in for brain-reading earbuds that utilize EEG sensors embedded in the ear tips. This technology aims to detect seizures, track sleep patterns, and monitor cognitive health. These developments demonstrate a clear trend toward bringing sophisticated brain monitoring capabilities to consumers.
NextSense recently launched Smartbuds, described as the world’s first truly wireless EEG earbuds, which actively improve sleep by measuring brain activity in real-time and responding accordingly. Unlike traditional sleep trackers that simply monitor, Smartbuds utilize six EEG sensors to actively influence sleep quality.
Future Research and Considerations
The research team plans to expand the range of frequencies used in the auditory tests and to validate the findings on larger, more diverse samples to ensure broad applicability. They also aim to refine the AI algorithms to improve accuracy and personalization.
While the potential benefits are significant, it’s important to note that this technology is still in its early stages of development. Further research is needed to fully understand the limitations and potential biases of using earbuds for brain health monitoring. The long-term effects of continuous brain signal tracking also require careful consideration.
The study was presented at the UbiComp 2025 conference held in October at Aalto University in Finland.
