A wearable computing device includes one or more processors, memory and a physiological metric sensor system, including a light source configured to direct light into tissue of a user wearing the wearable computing device, a light detector implemented a distance away from the light source and configured to detect light from the light source that reflects back from the user, and a light-blocking portion implemented between the light source and the light detector. The wearable computing device may further include an audio port directed towards an ear canal of the user and control circuitry configured to activate the light source during a period of time and generate a light detector signal indicating an amount of light detected by the light detector during the period of time.