Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed an innovative application that uses ordinary earbuds to monitor heart health. By cleverly repurposing existing hardware, these everyday “hearables” can function as sensors that measure subtle heart vibrations with an accuracy close to that of clinical equipment.
The technology utilizes the built-in speaker in earbuds. While this speaker normally produces sound, it can function in reverse as a sensor that detects minute vibrations caused by the beating of the heart and the movement of heart valves.
Continuous monitoring
Traditionally, measuring such cardiac signals requires a clinical setting, where patients are fitted with chest sensors. According to researcher Justin Chan, these measurements are often time-consuming, costly, and limited in duration.
The new method makes it possible to overcome these barriers. In a feasibility study involving 18 participants, the team compared the earbuds with medical chest sensors. The results show that heart vibrations propagate predictably through the body and can also be reliably measured via the ear.
Using a machine learning model, the measured signals were translated into detailed heart motion data. The agreement with clinical measurements was high, with correlations ranging from 0.88 to 0.95. According to lead researcher Siqi Zhang, the technology performed consistently across different users and types of earbuds.
Mechanical functioning of the heart
While existing wearables such as smartwatches and rings primarily focus on heart rate, this innovation provides insight into the mechanical functioning of the heart. This is clinically relevant because abnormalities in the timing and movement of heart valves often occur before symptoms become apparent. “It’s not just about how fast the heart beats, but how it beats,” says Zhang. This opens up possibilities for early detection of conditions such as arrhythmias and heart valve problems.
The researchers see great potential for application in home monitoring and preventive care. Because earbuds are already widely used, this technology can be scaled up relatively easily without requiring new hardware.
The results will be presented at the Association for Computing Machinery Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2026 and have been published on arXiv. This development illustrates how existing consumer technology can be used for continuous, accessible monitoring of heart health, thereby contributing to the shift of care from the hospital to the home environment.
Alzheimer’s detection with ‘earbuds’
In 2024, researchers from the École de Technologie Supérieure and Dartmouth University investigated whether earbuds could be used for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Instead of expensive and less accessible eye-tracking equipment, they are exploring the possibilities of built-in microphones in earbuds.
In addition to cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s is associated with disruptions in motor control, including abnormal eye movements (saccades). These cause small vibrations in the eardrum, which can be detected by sensitive microphones. By analyzing these signals, researchers hope to identify early signs of the disease.
According to the researchers, the method could develop into an accessible and scalable alternative to existing diagnostic methods. The ultimate goal is to enable continuous, non-invasive monitoring for Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders using everyday technology.
