LYRA – Biofeedback Wearable for Bruxism

Three questions to the project team

What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
One of the main UX challenges was addressing a behavior that users are usually not aware of. People with awake bruxism often only notice the consequences, such as pain or tension, while existing solutions mainly focus on treating symptoms. The challenge was therefore to create a form of feedback that supports awareness without causing stress, interruption, or stigmatization. Integrating the technology into a jewelry-inspired wearable and providing subtle acoustic feedback allowed the interaction to become part of everyday life rather than feeling like a medical intervention.

What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
One of the biggest aha moments came through conversations with dentists, an oral medicine specialist, a physiotherapist, and a hearing care professional. Despite their different perspectives, they all highlighted how common bruxism is and how often existing solutions focus on treating symptoms rather than creating awareness. I was surprised by the wide range of associated symptoms and by the fact that clenching can also serve as a form of stress regulation. Another key insight was discovering the potential of the ear canal as a sensing location and understanding, with the help of hearing care expertise, what is technically possible within such a small space. These conversations fundamentally shaped the project.

Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?
I see LYRA evolving from a concept into a validated wearable system for preventive health and stress awareness. The underlying principle could extend beyond bruxism to support other forms of tension and body awareness. Future versions may include additional sensing capabilities and optional digital features while maintaining the project's unobtrusive and jewelry-inspired character. Personally, I hope to continue working at the intersection of industrial design, healthcare, and user-centered innovation, creating products that support people in subtle and meaningful ways.