Improvements in or relating to ear apparatus

Abstract

An ear apparatus 31 is located at, or at least partially within, an ear for detecting change in inspiratory duration and / or expiratory duration. One or more sensor means 36, 36' are configured to detect the onset on inhalation and transition to exhalation. The apparatus also comprises means 37 for analysing and / or processing, or means 38 for communicating for subsequent analysing and / or processing the respiratory data, and deriving therefrom a plurality of data points for one or more respiratory cycles, from which a change in inspiratory duration and / or expiratory duration is derivable. The sensors may comprise movement detection sensors, such as an accelerometer and / or gyroscope, or non-movement sensors, such as photoplethysmography sensor, ballistocardiogram sensor, an ultrasound transducer and / or a microphone. A subset of respiratory data points surrounding the onset of inhalation and transition to exhalation may be identified to more accurately determine a change in inspiratory and / or expiratory duration and / or to exclude data points. [Fig 3]