The latest smartwatches and fitness trackers, even smart rings, focus on overall health and wellness, not just sports and fitness. It’s about the analysis, detection, assistance, and possible prevention of health issues relating to heart rate, breathing and blood oxygen, even blood pressure, sleep, stress, and mental health. Some of the latest gadgets go above and beyond while others are simplistic yet can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Apple Watch Series 10: Sleep Apnea Detection
Receiving Health Canada approval, the new Sleep Apnea detection feature for the Apple Watch Series 10 (also available for Series 9 and Ultra 2) is designed for those 18 and older who suspect they might suffer from sleep apnea but haven’t yet been diagnosed. Turn the feature on and it detects elevated breathing while you sleep. It works by using the accelerometer to monitor small movements at the wrist associated with normal respiratory patterns, and flags these as breathing disturbances. The data accumulates over a 30-day period to account for normal disturbances versus frequent and repetitive ones. Once enough data has been collected, you will receive a report advising if you potentially have anywhere from moderate to severe sleep apnea, or there may be no indication that you have the condition. You can view the data in the Health app day by day as well, which shows that your breathing was either Elevated or Not Elevated each night. From there, decide if you want to go for an official test or discuss the results with a medical professional. Why is sleep apnea detection important? The potentially serious condition involves breathing that stops repeatedly during sleep, which can lead to an increased risk of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiac issues. Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $549.
Aktiia Bracelet: Blood Pressure Monitoring
Also recently receiving approval from Health Canada is the Aktiia Bracelet, which unlike other blood pressure monitors on the market, does not require an arm cuff. Instead, wear it around your wrist like a bracelet and it takes readings automatically, up to 50 times a day. It uses advanced optical sensors and proprietary algorithms that measure blood pressure through Optical Blood Pressure Monitoring (OBPM). Subtle changes in the diameter of arteries with each heartbeat are analyzed to calculate each reading. It connects to the companion app where you can see all your data and show the report to a physician; and it lasts for up to nine days per charge. The Aktiia Bracelet sells for $335.
Anker Core Sleep A20 Sleep Earbuds: Sleep Health
It’s so crucial to get not only enough sleep, but enough good quality sleep. This is something that so many people struggle with daily. Sleep earbuds like the Anker Core Sleep A20s are a viable solution for those who have trouble getting to sleep, staying asleep, and getting a good night’s rest. The highly rated buds incorporate a four-point noise masking system with twin seal ear tips to function like earplugs, helping remove distractions. The design offers pressureless comfort, even for side sleepers. You get up to 14 hours of battery life per charge, more than enough for a full night, and you can recharge them in the included case for a total of 80 hours to last through the week. Using a Bluetooth connection to your phone or other mobile device, you can play soothing sleep tunes or white noise from the customizable white noise library to help lull you to sleep. The buds also have a MEMs sensor to track your sleep positions and movement through the night and provide detailed analysis every morning. They sell for $200.
Withings Body Pro 2 Smart Scale: Diabetes
While it isn’t for sale in Canada, and it isn’t a consumer product, the Withings Body Pro 2 is one of the company’s newer smart scales with an interesting twist. It’s designed to help detect early signs of diabetes complications, serving as a preventative measure for those who suffer from the disease. It monitors diabetic foot health through Electrochemical Skin Conductance (ESC) to detect early signs of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathies (DPN) and risks for diabetic foot ulcers. Withings cites numerous studies noting that the sudomotor function this assesses and its link to DPN is among the most common diabetes complications, experienced by up to 70% of patients. Testing for this usually relies on an annual in-person foot exam, but this scale allows patients to continuously monitor and keep on top of risks at home.
Morphee Zee: Mental Health
When it comes to tech gadgets for promoting positive mental health, the Morphee Zen is an interesting one designed to encourage you to enjoy a short moment of calm each day. The simple US$80 device offers meditation for managing stress and anxiety. It comes loaded with 72 two-to-five-minute audio sessions designed by relaxation experts that you can call up at any time of the day. These are divided into six themes: deep relaxation, immersive journeys, dynamic relaxation, sounds of nature, relaxing music, and chrono zen. Plug your headphones into the unit, press the button to turn it on, choose your audio, and relax. It’s a simple yet thoughtful item. While you can call up meditative experiences on a smartphone, even smartwatch, using the Morphee Zen encourages you to completely disconnect from the other distracting elements and fully immerse yourself in the moment.
Arthritis Support: Tek Partner Large Button Universal Remote
Those with arthritis suffer to complete simple, daily tasks that most of us take for granted. One such task is controlling the TV remote. Sure, the latest TVs work with things like voice control. You can also call up a remote for a Roku TV on a larger touchscreen like a tablet. But many prefer the tactile feel of buttons. The Tek Partner large button universal remote, available through ArthritisSupplies.com, is made with comfortable indents on either side so it’s easier to grip. The buttons are labeled with larger, bolder, lighted characters that makes them easier to read as well, both during the day and in the dark at night. It can be programmed to control up to four standard remotes for devices like a TV, Blu-ray player, and cable box. It’s oversized at 5.5 x 8.5 x 2.5 inches, much larger than the small and sleek remotes that come with the latest TVs. You’ll need four AA batteries to go along with it. Available to order, it’s just US$40.
Hearing Support: Signia Active Pro IX Hearing Device
There are so many traditional earbuds that designed to function as hearing aids as well. Even the latest Apple AirPod Pros can be used as hearing aids. But there are others as well, including ones like the Signia Active Pro IX high-tech hearing device, which are available in Canada through independent hearing clinics. The idea behind these and many other such devices is to address the stigma around wearing hearing aids. Those who suffer from hearing loss need not feel insecure because these buds look just like standard wireless earbuds. But the instant-fit, rechargeable solution powered by Signia’s Integrated Xperience platform features RealTime Conversation Enhancement technology. Those with mild to moderate hearing loss can wear them when they need to hear better, even in noisy environments. They come with various ear tip sizes and a portable charger for up to 29 hours of runtime. In a rush? Charge them for 30 minutes to get eight hours of listening. They’re IP68 certified for water and dust resistance and come in stylish colours like black, rose gold, white, and brown.
Speech Support: Whispp
Introduced at CES 2024, Whispp is an AI-powered phone calling app that isn’t a physical product, but it has the power to make a difference for those with whispered or affected speech due to conditions like spasmodic dysphonia or even stutters (Whispp cites research indicating that those with a severe stutter tend to speak in a more relaxed manner while whispering). It turns your speech into your natural voice in real time so you can successfully carry on a conversation and the other person can comfortably hear you. Make a series of recordings and it will be able to convert the sound into what your healthy voice sounds like. The company was among 50 promising start-ups invited to showcase its technology at CES Unveiled in Amsterdam in 2023 as well.
The Intersection of Health and Tech Is Crucial
Research continues about how to leverage tech for health care from both a practitioner and consumer level. With diabetes, for example, there are many innovations designed to replace the traditional finger prick method for checking your blood sugar levels. Some require devices that you wear 24/7, many inconspicuous, but research continues to eliminate even this element. For example, there’s the Diamontech D-Pocket, which is still in its development phase. The pain-free and non-invasive method called photothermal detection uses a sensor on which you place your finger. A light beam directs onto it, turning the light into heat and calculating blood sugar based on the temperature change.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Over the last few years, major technology trade shows like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held annually in Las Vegas every January, have been featuring more and more exhibits, seminars, and keynote addresses centered around health tech. And this is likely a trend that will not just continue but become even bigger.
The intersection of health care and technology is one of the most valuable ways we can leverage technological innovation. From the most basic voice-controlled devices to help people with mobility or sight limitations to products that can detect potential risk factors for the most common diseases, the possibilities are endless.
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