Integrated Experimental-Numerical Bioheat Modeling of Wireless Device Exposure in the Human Ear

Horvat ID, Wedel J, Kamenik B, Vidjak K, Poljak D, Ravnik J (2026)

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2026

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

Book Volume: 2173 LNNS

Pages Range: 146-155

Conference Proceedings Title: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems

Event location: Maribor, SVN

ISBN: 9783032301581

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-30159-8_13

Abstract

The increasing use of compact in-ear wireless devices raises questions regarding localized thermal effects in human ear tissues. This work presents an integrated experimental–numerical framework for assessing electromagnetic and device-related heating in a three-dimensional human ear model. Infrared thermography measurements are performed on a tissue-mimicking ear phantom during device operation to estimate effective thermal properties and boundary conditions representative of in-ear wearable use. These experimentally derived parameters are incorporated into a coupled simulation workflow. Electromagnetic simulations of the wireless device provide electric-field distributions within the ear model, from which volumetric Joule heating is computed using pointwise field values. The resulting heat sources, together with device-related thermal heating, are introduced into a Pennes bioheat formulation accounting for tissue perfusion and metabolism. The coupled electromagnetic-thermal model predicts localized temperature rise within ear tissues and enables direct comparison between pointwise and spatially averaged exposure metrics. The proposed approach provides a practical and reproducible framework for evaluating localized thermal effects of in-ear wireless devices.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jana Wedel Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik (LTM)

Involved external institutions

University of Maribor (UM) / Univerza v Mariboru SI Slovenia (SI) University of Split / Sveučilište u Splitu HR Croatia (HR)

How to cite

APA:

Horvat, I.D., Wedel, J., Kamenik, B., Vidjak, K., Poljak, D., & Ravnik, J. (2026). Integrated Experimental-Numerical Bioheat Modeling of Wireless Device Exposure in the Human Ear. In Gregor Harih, Vasja Plesec (Eds.), Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems (pp. 146-155). Maribor, SVN: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH.

MLA:

Horvat, Ivan Dominik, et al. "Integrated Experimental-Numerical Bioheat Modeling of Wireless Device Exposure in the Human Ear." Proceedings of the 10th International Digital Human Modeling Symposium, DHM 2026, Maribor, SVN Ed. Gregor Harih, Vasja Plesec, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2026. 146-155.

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