Bruxism detection and feedback system and method

A bruxism detection and feedback system comprising:

• an in-ear device comprising:
• an in-ear portion configured to be placed in an ear canal, wherein preferably the in-ear portion is at least partially made from a shape conforming material that conforms to a shape of the ear canal;
• a heart rate sensor to measure a heart rate, a microvibration sensor to measure microvibrations and/or a breathing rate sensor to measure a breathing rate when the in-ear portion is placed in the ear canal;
• and
• a bruxism sensor configured for measuring a characteristic signal which is characteristic of a bruxism event when the in-ear portion is placed in the ear canal,
• a processor connected to the heart rate sensor, the microvibration sensor and/or the breathing rate sensor for receiving the measured heart rate, microvibrations, and/or measured breathing rate, and connected to the bruxism sensor for receiving the measured characteristic signal;
• and
• a feedback device connected to the processor, wherein the feedback device is configured to provide a feedback stimulus when the feedback device receives a bruxism event signal from the processor,
• wherein the processor is configured to
• determine the occurrence of a microarousal event by comparing the measured heart rate, the measured microvibrations and/or the measured breathing rate to a target heart rate and/or a target breathing rate;
• increase a measuring rate of the bruxism sensor when the occurrence of the microarousal event is determined by the processor;
• receive the characteristic signal measured by the bruxism sensor;
• determine the occurrence of a bruxism event by comparing the characteristic signal measured at the increased measuring rate to a target characteristic;
• and
• send the bruxism event signal to the feedback device when the processor determines the occurrence of the bruxism event.