The Digital Health Podcast with Fexingo: Wearables, Diagnostics, and Health Software

The stethoscope has been a doctor's signature tool for two centuries, but it's getting a digital upgrade. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how AI-powered stethoscopes are changing the way clinicians detect heart and lung conditions. From Eko's FDA-cleared algorithms that can spot heart murmurs and atrial fibrillation, to the potential for these devices to democratize diagnostics in remote areas, we break down the technology, the clinical evidence, and the business behind it. We discuss why the analog stethoscope has endured, how digital versions are overcoming its limitations, and whether AI will replace the human ear or simply augment it. We also touch on the regulatory landscape and what it takes to get a new medical device approved. If you've ever wondered about the future of one of medicine's most iconic tools, this episode offers a clear, informed look at what's changing and why it matters.

#DigitalHealth #AIStethoscope #HealthTech #MedicalDevices #Eko #ButterflyNetwork #HeartHealth #MachineLearning #HealthInnovation #ClinicalAI #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #HealthcareTechnology #Telemedicine #RemoteDiagnostics #MedicalAI #Cardiology #HealthAnalytics

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Smartwatches now claim to measure blood pressure, but what are they really tracking? In this episode, Lucas and Luna unpack the difference between a cuff-based reading and the PPG sensors in most wearables, using the Apple Watch's FDA-cleared sleep apnea feature and the Omron HeartGuide as contrasting examples. They explore why the regulatory path matters, how companies like Apple and Samsung are navigating the line between wellness and medical claims, and what this means for you if you're tracking your numbers. Expect a clear-eyed look at the technology, the hype, and the practical next steps — plus a candid discussion of why a smartwatch reading should prompt a doctor's visit, not a DIY diagnosis. If you've ever wondered whether your watch is just guessing or truly measuring, this episode gives you the tools to tell the difference.

#BloodPressure #Smartwatch #Wearables #PPG #HealthTech #FDA #AppleWatch #Omron #MedicalDevice #DigitalHealth #Business #Technology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #HealthMonitoring #Regulation #HealthSoftware #WearableTech

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In this episode of The Digital Health Podcast, Lucas and Luna dive into the world of digital hearing health, exploring how AI is transforming the traditional hearing test. They discuss the rise of smartphone-based audiometry, the challenges of remote testing, and the potential for AI to improve diagnostic accuracy. With millions of people suffering from untreated hearing loss, the hosts examine whether these new digital tools can bridge the gap between convenience and clinical reliability. They also look at the business side, including how startups are partnering with audiologists and what it means for the future of hearing care. Tune in for a balanced look at the promises and pitfalls of AI in audiology, and why your next hearing test might not require a soundproof booth.

#DigitalHealth #HearingHealth #Audiometry #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthTech #SmartphoneDiagnostics #Telehealth #Audiology #HearingLoss #Business #Technology #Startups #Innovation #Healthcare #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #MedicalDevices #AI

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Smartwatches get all the attention, but a tiny form factor is quietly winning the wearables race: the smart ring. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down why rings like the Oura Ring are not just a fashion statement but a serious health-monitoring tool. They explore the sensor differences, the data accuracy, and the business model behind the trend—from subscription services to the soaring demand from consumers and employers alike. With the wearables market heating up in 2026, we look at the specific metrics rings track better than watches, the clinical studies backing them, and what this means for the future of remote patient monitoring. If you've wondered whether a ring could replace your watch, or if you're a health-tech professional watching this space, this episode is for you.

#SmartRing #OuraRing #Wearables #HealthTech #DigitalHealth #RemotePatientMonitoring #HealthMonitoring #ConsumerTech #Business #Technology #HealthData #ClinicalResearch #SensorTechnology #SubscriptionModel #EmployerWellness #WearableTrends #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how smartwatches are using AI to detect atrial fibrillation, a condition that affects millions but often goes unnoticed. They discuss the rise of single-lead ECG on consumer devices, the use of photoplethysmography for pulse irregularity, and the results from large studies like the Apple Heart Study. The conversation covers the practical challenges of false positives, the impact on clinical workflows, and what this means for the future of cardiovascular care. They also touch on how AI is helping to interpret the data more accurately, reducing unnecessary alerts. With the market for consumer wearables growing, this is a critical moment for digital health. Lucas and Luna break down the science, the business, and the patient experience, offering a nuanced view of a technology that could save lives but also creates new questions for doctors and patients alike.

#AtrialFibrillation #SmartwatchECG #AIHeartHealth #DigitalHealth #WearableTechnology #Cardiology #AppleHeartStudy #Photoplethysmography #Fitbit #SamsungHealth #StrokePrevention #ConsumerWearables #HealthTech #Business #Technology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #HealthInnovation

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Pear Therapeutics was once the darling of digital health, raising over $400 million to develop FDA-authorized prescription apps for substance use and opioid use disorders. But in 2023, the company filed for bankruptcy. In this episode, Lucas and Luna dissect the reasons behind Pear's collapse: the challenge of securing insurance reimbursement, the high cost of physician sales teams, and the difficulty of convincing doctors to prescribe an app. They also explore what this means for other digital therapeutics companies, from Akili Interactive to Omada Health, and ask whether the prescription model is viable or if a different approach — like employer contracts or device bundling — is the future. Tune in for a clear-eyed look at the business realities of digital health.

#DigitalTherapeutics #PearTherapeutics #PrescriptionApps #FDA #Bankruptcy #Healthcare #Business #Technology #HealthInnovation #Wearables #Diagnostics #HealthSoftware #Reimbursement #StartupFailure #VentureCapital #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TheDigitalHealthPodcast

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A new study from the University of Rochester shows that a standard smartwatch accelerometer can detect early signs of Parkinson's disease up to seven years before clinical diagnosis. We break down the study: how 10,000 participants' movement data was analyzed, the digital biomarkers that predict the disease, and the machine learning model that achieved 89% accuracy. We also discuss how this compares to traditional diagnosis, the potential for earlier intervention, and the privacy trade-offs. Plus, we connect it to previous research using Apple Watch data from the UK Biobank. If you've ever wondered what your wearable's motion sensor might reveal about your neurological health, this episode gives you the concrete numbers and real-world context.

#ParkinsonsDisease #Smartwatch #WearableTech #DigitalHealth #UniversityOfRochester #MachineLearning #EarlyDetection #Neurology #Accelerometer #DigitalBiomarkers #HealthcareAI #ClinicalTrials #Privacy #UKBiobank #AppleWatch #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #DigitalHealthPodcast

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A growing number of companies are linking health insurance premiums to employees' wearable data. Lucas and Luna break down the numbers: 22% of large employers now run such programs, some offering up to $1,500 in discounts or penalties of $40 per month. They explore the legal limits — GINA, ADA, and ACA caps on surcharges — and the privacy risks for workers. A real-world case study from a Midwest manufacturer sparks the conversation: Is your Fitbit really a voluntary perk or a new way of assessing your health risk? Tune in to understand the fine print of workplace wellness.

#EmployerWellness #FitnessTracker #WearableData #HealthInsurance #Privacy #GINA #ADA #EmployeeBenefits #CorporateWellness #Smartwatch #HealthCareCosts #EEOC #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #DigitalHealth #HealthTech #DataPrivacy #InsurancePremiums

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Smartwatches are expanding beyond heart rate and sleep tracking into chronic pain prediction. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a 2026 study showing that wrist-based sensors can forecast pain flares with 85% accuracy up to 24 hours in advance. They cover the machine learning behind it, how pharmaceutical companies are using the data for drug development, and why insurers are eyeing wearables for pain management. The hosts also discuss the privacy pitfalls and regulatory hurdles keeping this out of your doctor's hands. A concrete look at the next frontier of digital health.

#DigitalHealth #Wearables #ChronicPain #PredictiveAnalytics #MachineLearning #Smartwatch #Pharma #HealthTech #PainManagement #RemoteMonitoring #FDA #Privacy #Insurance #ClinicalResearch #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #HealthInnovation

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A new study from the University of California San Francisco shows that consumer smartwatches can detect sleep apnea with 90% accuracy using overnight oxygen saturation and heart rate variability data. Lucas and Luna unpack how the algorithm works, why it matters for the 80% of undiagnosed cases, and what the FDA's recent clearance of a wearable-based sleep apnea diagnostic means for the $23 billion CPAP market. They also explore the privacy trade-offs of continuous sleep monitoring and how insurers are starting to cover these devices as a cheaper alternative to in-lab sleep studies.

#SleepApnea #Smartwatch #DigitalHealth #Wearables #UCSF #FDA #CPAP #OxygenSaturation #HeartRateVariability #SleepHealth #HealthcareInnovation #AI #Diagnostics #Business #Technology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #DigitalHealthPodcast

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