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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Neurology

In-ear electroencephalography: a systematic review of technology, applications, challenges, and future directions

  • Chirag Haria1
  • Benjamin H. L. Harris1,2,3,4,5,6
  • Lucy Mortimer7
  • Katarzyna Platek-Johnson7
  • Simon Freilich7
  • Louis J. Koizia1
  • Michael B. Fertleman1
7 affiliations
  1. 1Cutrale Perioperative and Ageing Group, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London
  2. 2St. Catherine’s College, University of Oxford
  3. 3Department of Oncology, University of Oxford
  4. 4Division of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London
  5. 5Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lodz
  6. 6Collaborating Centre for Values-based Practice, St. Catherine’s College, University of Oxford
  7. 7Luton & Dunstable University Hospital
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Abstract

Electroencephalography (EEG) is widely used to monitor brain activity in both clinical and research settings. However, conventional scalp EEG systems require multiple electrodes, specialised equipment, and trained personnel, which limits their practicality for long-term monitoring in everyday environments. In-ear EEG has emerged as a promising wearable alternative that enables discreet and portable neural monitoring. This systematic review examines the current state of research on in-ear EEG technologies. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed thematically. The literature highlights rapid progress in device miniaturisation and wearable design, with reported applications including sleep monitoring, seizure detection, cognitive workload assessment, fatigue monitoring, and emotion recognition. Despite these advances, challenges remain related to signal quality, spatial coverage, and motion artefacts. Further research is required to validate in-ear EEG for broader clinical and real-world applications.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{haria2026inear,
  title = {{In-ear electroencephalography: a systematic review of technology, applications, challenges, and future directions}},
  author = {Chirag Haria and Benjamin H. L. Harris and Lucy Mortimer and Katarzyna Platek-Johnson and Simon Freilich and Louis J. Koizia and Michael B. Fertleman},
  journal = {Frontiers in Neurology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fneur.2026.1914159},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1914159/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - In-ear electroencephalography: a systematic review of technology, applications, challenges, and future directions
AU  - Chirag Haria
AU  - Benjamin H. L. Harris
AU  - Lucy Mortimer
AU  - Katarzyna Platek-Johnson
AU  - Simon Freilich
AU  - Louis J. Koizia
AU  - Michael B. Fertleman
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/27
JO  - Frontiers in Neurology
DO  - 10.3389/fneur.2026.1914159
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1914159/full
AB  - Electroencephalography (EEG) is widely used to monitor brain activity in both clinical and research settings. However, conventional scalp EEG systems require multiple electrodes, specialised equipment, and trained personnel, which limits their practicality for long-term monitoring in everyday environments. In-ear EEG has emerged as a promising wearable alternative that enables discreet and portable neural monitoring. This systematic review examines the current state of research on in-ear EEG technologies. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed thematically. The literature highlights rapid progress in device miniaturisation and wearable design, with reported applications including sleep monitoring, seizure detection, cognitive workload assessment, fatigue monitoring, and emotion recognition. Despite these advances, challenges remain related to signal quality, spatial coverage, and motion artefacts. Further research is required to validate in-ear EEG for broader clinical and real-world applications.
SN  - 1664-2295
ER  -