Ecg-based hearing device and methods for obtaining the ecg

A method comprising:

• providing instructions to a user to touch at least two of a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes on or in a housing of a hearing device configured to be worn on or in an ear of the user;
• receiving a potential measured by the electrodes;
• processing the received potential to obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG) of the user;
• and
• outputting the ECG for the user on a display of a user device.

A hearing device comprising:

• a microphone configured to receive an input signal and provide an audio signal based on the input signal;
• at least two electrodes on or in a housing of the hearing device;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• process the audio signal to play for a wearer;
• provide instructions to the wearer to touch at least two of the electrodes;
• receive a potential measured by the electrodes;
• process the received potential to obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG) of the wearer;
• and
• output the ECG for the wearer on an interactive display of a computer device.

A hearing device comprising:

• a housing configured to be worn on or in an ear of a user;
• at least two electrodes integrated into the housing, wherein one electrode is positioned to contact the ear or head of the user and another electrode is configured to be contacted by a finger of the user;
• a processor within the housing, the processor configured to:
• receive signals from the at least two electrodes;
• process the received signals to generate ECG data indicative of cardiac activity of the user;
• and
• analyze the ECG data to detect cardiac arrhythmias;
• and
• a transmitter configured to transmit the ECG data to an external device.

A method for acquiring electrocardiogram (ECG) data using a hearing device, the method comprising:

• initiating an ECG recording session via a user interface on a smartphone application associated with the hearing device;
• providing user instructions for electrode contact placement through at least one of text and audio instructions delivered via the smartphone application;
• receiving, at the hearing device, signals from at least two electrodes positioned based on the user instructions, wherein one electrode is contacted by a finger of the user and another electrode contacts a user's ear or body;
• processing the received signals to generate ECG data indicative of a user's cardiac activity;
• transmitting the ECG data from the hearing device to the smartphone application;
• and
• displaying the ECG data on the smartphone application.