Noninvasive Phonocardiography-to-Seismocardiography Mapping Using Consumer Earbuds

STUDY BASICS

Are you an adult aged 18-99? You may be eligible to participate in a research study to see if heart sounds recorded by everyday earbuds can translate into the subtle chest-vibration signals that normally require a chest sensor, using machine learning. Participation takes just one hour on Carnegie Mellon University campus. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to map heart sounds recorded noninvasively by consumer earbuds (phonocardiography, PCG) to seismocardiography waveforms (SCG) via a machine learning model. This is important because it could enable continuous monitoring of cardiac vibrations over time, in contrast to existing approaches that rely on chest‑mounted sensors and provide only single‑time‑point snapshots.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Age 18-99
• both healthy adults and individuals with diagnosed cardiovascular conditions
• Not pregnant

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation takes just one hour on Carnegie Mellon University campus. During that time you’ll:

• Wear a pair of earbuds in your ear canal so we can record your heart sounds. 
• Have an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) attached to your chest with a soft band to capture seismocardiography vibrations. 
• Have a second IMU tied to your head with the same banding method to track whole-body micro-motions. 
• Wear three electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes connected to a heart-monitor module; a same-gender staff member will assist with placement if you’re comfortable. You may be asked to briefly adjust or remove clothing for electrode placement; once the electrodes are secured, you can put your clothes back on for the remainder of the session
• Sit or stand quietly for a few minutes recording trials (plus an optional brief posture change). You may pause or stop at any time if you feel uncomfortable.

The experiment in total will take no more than 1 hour