Binaural beats, often referred to as binaural tones, were discovered in 1839 by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove. However, they weren’t the subject of extensive research until Gerald Oster published new laboratory findings in 1973.
Among other things, Oster used the beats as a diagnostic tool to assess basic neurological conditions and auditory impairments. He discovered that most women perceived them differently than men, especially during the onset of menstruation. This fact led Oster to believe that binaural beats were a somewhat effective means of measuring estrogen levels.
Binaural beats are two tones of somewhat different frequencies. When played, one tone is heard in the left ear and the other in heard in the right ear. However, the listener hears only a single tone. The frequency of this tone varies to equal the difference between the two original tones.
It is possible to hear the beats with or without the aid of headphones. This occurs when two tones are heard by way of loudspeakers. It should be noted that using headphones is the most effective method.
Hemispheric Synchronization hemi-sync is a process involving binaural beats, created by Robert Monroe, which synchronizes two of the brain’s hemispheres in order to induce certain responses.
This process of using sound waves that fall into place with brain waves is used to facilitate many things including relaxation, memory improvement, creativity, heightened energy and a restful night’s sleep. Double-blind studies also indicate that during surgery hemi-sync is sometimes an effective partial replacement for drugs such as Fentanyl.
There are several ways to reap the benefits of binaural beats. Purchasing CD’s or MP3’s is probably the easiest and most affordable way to do so. Listen to them almost anywhere, at home, at work, in the car (not while driving) – the possibilities virtually endless.
These products embed brainwave technology underneath soothing sounds like ocean waves, rain, whale songs and other sounds of nature, just to name a few.
iPhone and iPad users can experiment with this technology by downloading a binaural beat app that will then be available at the touch of a button. As of this writing, there are both free and low costs apps to choose from.
Many individuals who utilize binaural beats to help them improve on one area of their life are pleased to discover that the method actually improves multiple issues. For example, someone interested in eliminating insomnia might notice a more restful night’s sleep AND the ability to remember events with added clarity.