What is “Ghosting”?
“Ghosting” occurs when the Inner Balance Bluetooth (BTLE) sensor generates a heart rhythm or coherence reading while it is not connected to a user’s earlobe. You may even see the graph appear “coherent” during these moments.
The Science Behind the Signal
To provide medical-grade accuracy for Heart Rate Variability (HRV), HeartMath sensors operate at a much higher intensity than standard fitness trackers:
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High Sampling Rate: While typical heart rate monitors sample at 20–40 times per second, HeartMath sensors sample at a minimum of 125 samples per second. This high frequency is necessary to capture the precise inter-beat intervals in milliseconds.
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Automatic Gain Function: Our engineers designed an aggressive “automatic gain” system to ensure the sensor works across all skin types and pulse strengths.
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The “Closed Loop” Search: When the sensor is not on an ear, it is in an “open loop” state. To find a signal, it automatically boosts its LED output and adjusts its internal amplification (across 32 different settings). During this search, it can occasionally pick up random electronic “noise” and interpret it as a heartbeat.
Is My Sensor Defective?
No. Ghosting is a normal byproduct of the sensor’s high sensitivity. It does not harm the electronics, nor does it indicate a flaw in the hardware. Reducing the sensitivity to eliminate ghosting would make the sensor less effective at reading pulses through thicker skin or for users with weaker peripheral circulation.
How to Stop Ghosting
The simplest way to stop ghosting is to begin your session:
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Clip the sensor firmly to your earlobe.
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The sensor will immediately detect the much stronger signal of your actual pulse.
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The software requires 64 seconds of clean data to establish your baseline, after which it will overwrite any ghosted data with your real-time heart rhythm.
Pro-Tip for Clean Data
If you want to avoid seeing ghosted data at the start of your session, ensure the sensor is clipped to your ear before you press the Start button in the app.