Development of Low-Cost in-the-Ear EEG Prototype

Abstract

This study focused on building a low-cost wearable EEG device multiple hour usage. The device suitable for long period monitoring is in-the-ear EEG, which has desirable wearable characteristics. With electrode in an earbud, it is relatively simple to install and wear. The in-the-ear prototype in this study was built from earphone rubber as an earpiece and silver-adhesive fabric as electrodes. Raw materials cost 3 dollar per piece. The impedance measurement from in-the-ear EEG is comparable to those of commercial electrodes. Signal verifications were conducted by teeth clenching, ASSR, MMN, and correlation. The signal verification results show that there is a strong correlation between in-the-ear EEG and T7/T8 signals. (γ-coefficient = 0.912)