Binaural beats explained

Binaural beats are one of the most searched-for kinds of "focus" and "sleep" audio. They're also surrounded by big claims. Here's what they are and what's actually known.

How binaural beats work

Play a tone of one frequency in your left ear and a slightly different frequency in your right, for example 200 Hz and 210 Hz. Your brain combines them and you perceive a third, pulsing "beat" at the difference: 10 Hz in this example. That beat isn't in the audio itself; it's created by your auditory system.

That's why you need headphones. On speakers, both ears hear both tones and the effect disappears.

The claim

The idea is that the perceived beat can nudge your brain activity toward that frequency. This is often called "brainwave entrainment". Slow beats are marketed for sleep and relaxation; faster ones for focus.

What the research says

Research on binaural beats is genuinely mixed:

• Some studies and reviews report small effects on things like anxiety, attention or memory.
• Others find no effect, and results vary a lot between studies, beat frequencies and listening times.
• Many studies are small, and it's hard to separate the beat from the relaxing effect of simply sitting quietly with calm sound.

The fair summary: binaural beats are not a proven treatment for anything, but some people find them helpful, and they're harmless at a sensible volume.

How Claritune handles this

Claritune doesn't claim its soundscapes contain binaural beats or produce brainwave effects. They're designed around simpler, well-understood principles for background sound: no lyrics, steady textures, the right tempo and brightness for the job, and no sudden changes. Slow Wave, The Cocoon and Equanimity play in full above.

Should you try them?

If you're curious, try them. Use headphones, keep the volume low, and notice whether you focus or sleep better than with ordinary calm music or silence. If you don't notice a difference, you're not missing out; plenty of people do just as well with ambient music or noise.

Frequently asked questions

Are binaural beats dangerous?

For most people, no, at a low volume. Some people find them uncomfortable or disorienting. Stop if you feel unwell, and avoid them while driving.

Do binaural beats work without headphones?

No. Each ear has to receive a different tone.

What's the difference between binaural beats and isochronic tones?

Isochronic tones are a single tone switching on and off at a regular rate. They work on speakers. The research on them is similarly limited.