BINAURAL AND ISOCHRONIC BEATS

What are binaural beats?

Binaural beats are an auditory phenomenon that occurs when two different sounds with slightly different frequencies are sent separately to each ear. The brain processes these different frequencies and creates a perceptible beat that reflects the difference between the two frequencies. For example, a sound with a frequency of 180 Hz could be sent to the left ear and a sound with a frequency of 185 Hz to the right ear. The brain would then perceive a binaural beat with a frequency of 5 Hz. The German physicist Heinrich Wilhelm Dove is credited with discovering binaural beats in 1839.

The effect is caused by the phenomenon of auditory sound processing in the brain, particularly in the auditory cortex. When different sounds with slightly different frequencies are sent separately to each ear, they reach the brain with a slight time delay. These differences in the arrival times of the sound waves at the two ears are called interaural time differences and interaural intensity differences. These differences are an important part of the spatial localization of sound sources in the brain. When the two different sounds are perceived by the ears, they are combined in the brain to create this third sound, the binaural beat.

Binaural beats can therefore only be created when headphones are used.

Only when the different frequencies are actually transmitted separately to each individual ear does this auditory phenomenon occur.

The idea behind the use of binaural beats lies in their ability to put the brain into different states, such as relaxation, focus or improved creativity. Recent studies show that the specific frequency of the binaural beat creates a resonance in the brain that leads to certain brain wave patterns being induced. For example, binaural beats in the delta range (1-4 Hz) can help promote deep relaxation and restful sleep, while those in the beta range (13-30 Hz) can increase alertness and concentration.

Possible applications: Binaural beats during your meditation

Using binaural beats during meditation is a practice used by many people to deepen or enhance their meditation experience. The idea behind this technique is that the specific frequencies of binaural beats stimulate the brain to synchronize into certain brainwave patterns that are associated with different meditative states.

Relaxation: Binaural beats help to achieve a state of deep relaxation by stimulating the brain to vibrate in frequencies associated with relaxed or meditative states.

Concentration and focus: Certain frequencies of binaural beats are associated with increased concentration and mental focus. From the feedback, I can see that using these beats during meditation helps to calm the mind and center attention.

Deepening the meditation experience: Some of my friends and clients find that binaural beats help to support the depth of their meditation experience by helping them to enter a meditative state more quickly or to stay in that state for longer periods of time.

Because binaural beats are generated by our brain, it should be noted that binaural beats are not equally effective for everyone, and their effects may vary from person to person. Some may find that they are distracted by binaural beats or that they do not improve their meditation practice. However, others may find that they experience a noticeable improvement in their meditation experience.

Explore the use of binaural beats during meditation with openness and mindfulness. It can be helpful to try out different frequencies and observe your own reactions to determine which frequencies work best for you. Ultimately, the effectiveness of binaural beats during meditation is a very individual matter, and it is important to consider personal experience and preferences.

That's why I'm making you the following offer: If you find that the frequency you have chosen is not for you within 21 days of purchase, I will refund your purchase or you can try a different frequency.

What is the difference to monaural beats or so-called acoustic “beats”?

Monaural beats are an acoustic phenomenon that occurs when two sounds of slightly different frequencies are mixed and played in a single ear. In contrast to binaural beats, where two different frequencies are presented separately in each ear and the beat is created in the brain, monaural beats are created purely acoustically in the sound field before they reach the ear.

How do monaural beats work?

• With monaural beats, two frequencies that are close to each other (e.g. 300 Hz and 304 Hz) are acoustically mixed directly and presented as a composite signal. The ear perceives the resulting beat created by this mix as a periodic fluctuation in volume.
• The brain does not need to process the two frequencies separately, as the beat effect is already present in the sound signal before it reaches the ear.
  
  

How do these beats occur?

• When two sound waves of different frequencies meet, they overlap and create interference.
• At certain times, the wave crests of both sounds overlap and reinforce each other (constructive interference), which causes a loud perception.
• At other times, the waves partially or completely cancel each other out (destructive interference), which leads to a quieter perception.
  
  

Frequency of the beat:

The frequency of the beat, i.e. the speed at which this rise and fall in volume is perceived, corresponds to the difference between the frequencies of the two sounds. Example: If two tones sound at 300 Hz and 304 Hz, the beat frequency is 4 Hz.

Tip: Want more “nerdstuff”? Just write me an e-mail and I'll send you the mathematical calculation scheme.

What are isochronous beats?

Isochronous beats are a similar auditory technique to binaural beats, but based on a different premise. While binaural beats are created by listening to two different tones with slightly different frequencies, isochronic beats are created by listening to regular, even tones that are repeated in a certain rhythm.

The sound effects of isochronous beats are similar to those of binaural beats, but their creation and application are completely different. Isochronous beats can be created through consistent acoustic stimulation at a specific frequency, without the need for different tones for each ear. Instead, simply repeated, even tones are used to create the desired beat. This is of course much easier as the tones are actually present and, unlike binaural beats, are not generated by our brain. This is why isochronous beats can also be heard through normal stereo speakers. (I'll explain why you should still use headphones below).

The frequency of isochronous beats is also measured in Hertz (Hz), which is the number of tones per second. For example, an isochronous beat frequency of 10 Hz could mean that the beat has ten tones per second.

What are binaural and isochronous beats used for?

As with binaural beats, the point is that isochronous beats stimulate the brain to synchronize into certain brainwave patterns. These brainwave patterns are associated with different mental states, such as relaxation, focus or creativity.

Brainwaves are electrical signals generated by the activity of neurons in the brain. These waves can be measured using EEG (electroencephalography) and have different frequencies that are associated with different states of consciousness, cognitive processes and emotional states. Isochronous beats can be used to influence these brainwaves by stimulating the brain to adapt to the frequency of the beats.

This happens through a phenomenon known as Frequency Following Response (FFR).

Harnessing the phenomenon of brainwave entrainment is ultimately the goal of neuromusic and the use of binaural and isochronous beats. The subject is also very complex. That is why I have summarized detailed information on this topic on my website in the article: "NEURONAL ENTRAINMENT OF BRAINWAVES - The power of brainwave synchronisation".

 

Are binaural beats or isochronic beats dangerous?

Binaural and isochronic beats are generally considered safe for most people when listened to at appropriate volumes and for appropriate periods of time. However, there are some considerations that should be taken into account:

1. Children: Use in children is not recommended. The brain is not yet fully developed or mature. Even if you think it's great that the next “little Einstein” or the next “Amy Farrah Fowler” will be able to concentrate much better since he or she has been listening to binaural beats. In childhood, neurons should be allowed to “fire” regardless of external influences.

2. Pregnant women should also refrain from listening to binaural or isochronous beats during this time.

3. People who suffer from epilepsy or are prone to seizures, as well as patients who have had a stroke, should exercise caution when using binaural or isochronous beats, as the changes in brain wave patterns could theoretically have the potential to trigger seizures. In these cases, it is advisable to have possible triggers for seizures medically checked with your doctor before listening.

4. In rare cases, some people report feelings of dizziness or nausea when using binaural beats. This could be due to the changes in brain waves or the effect of hearing sounds at different frequencies. Therefore, you should not listen to binaural beats in combination with alcohol or drugs.

5. Deep relaxation and disorientation: The effect of binaural or isochronic beats - especially in combination with meditation music - can be very profound. It is therefore advisable not to operate machines, motor vehicles or other devices that require your full attention and concentration immediately after a session with neuromusic. Wait at least 45 minutes - preferably an hour - before starting again.

It is important to use binaural and isochronous beats responsibly and to pay attention to your own body's reaction. If someone experiences unusual or unpleasant symptoms while listening to binaural or isochronic beats, they should stop using them immediately and consult a doctor if necessary.

If you have any questions about binaural or isochronic beats, please feel free to email me. You can also take part in a free webinar on this topic with me.

 

Why should you enjoy my neuromusic and meditation programs with headphones?

Headphones are important!

The use of headphones is important for binaural listening for several reasons:

1. separation of sounds: binaural listening involves the perception of slightly different sounds or frequencies in each ear. By using headphones, you can ensure that each ear hears the correct frequency unaltered, without the sounds being affected by external ambient noise.

2. creation of binaural beats: Binaural beats are created when the brain perceives the difference between the frequencies of the two sounds heard in each ear. Headphones allow a precise and controlled representation of these different frequencies in each ear, optimizing the creation of binaural beats.

3. immersive experience: headphones create an immersive listening experience where the sounds enter directly into your ears and surround you as if you are in a three-dimensional sound space. This is especially true for my neuromusic and meditation journeys, where I use the HRTF (Head Related Transfer Function) and have produced the content for Dolby Atmos® and THX® Spatial Audio. The headphones help to make binaural listening more effective and amplify the desired effects.

4. precision and clarity: High-quality headphones offer high sound quality and clear sound reproduction, which is important to accurately perceive the subtle differences between frequencies in each ear. This allows you to experience the full range of the binaural effect.

5. privacy and concentration: Headphones also provide a degree of privacy and concentration as they block out ambient noise and allow you to focus completely on the sounds you want to hear. This is especially important if you are in a noisy environment or want to meditate or relax undisturbed.

 

Do I need to buy special headphones for neuromusic that uses isochronous or binaural beats?

No! Don't fall for advertising promises from providers who claim that isochronous or binaural beats can be heard or perceived particularly well with their headphones. There are headphones in all price ranges from Low-cost systems to high-end.

The different headphones also differ in their:

• design
• Driver type
• sound characteristics
• and the area of application

I explain a few points in the article "Why headphones?". Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.