Mindset: EEG headphones that help you focus

March 2, 2017 Marko Maslakovic Crowdfunding, Health tracker, Sleep tracker 3 min read

If you are a person who is easily distracted, high tech is coming to the rescue. A new Kickstarter campaign has just launched for headphones that monitor brain activity and rewire it to boost concentration.

We’ve all heard of noise cancelling headphones. They make it possible to listen to music without raising the volume excessively. They can also help a passenger sleep in a noisy vehicle such as an airliner. Best of all, they can be very effective in the battle to drown out the sound of your annoying coworkers.

Mindset does all this and more. In addition to drowning out outside noise, the completely wireless Bluetooth headphones use state of the art technology to monitor your brainwaves and track your focus throughout the day.

Whenever your concentration drops, the headphones will get you back on track via a gentle audio cue. Over time, these alerts train the mind and rewire the brain to better tune out distractions. The gadget also notifies users when it’s time to switch tasks or take a break.

The headset is able to do this thanks to five electroencephalography (EEG) sensors which measure the electrical activity in your brain. This is the same technology that is used to treat ADHD, improve creativity in Olympic figure skaters, and train NASA astronauts.

“Our attention is constantly being pulled between our phones vibrating, distractions on the internet, and endless to do lists that result in spending more time trying to work than actually working,” said Mindset Co-Founder Jacob Flood.
“We wanted to create something that would work with us, instead of against us.”

The sound experience is great as well. Mindset has partnered with Onkyo, pioneers in high quality audio, to bring you crisp, uncompromising sound. The system curates music based on the task at hand or the users can chose their own.

“The outcome is more personal than ever,” said Mindset Co-Founder David Doyon.
“Mindset learns the users’ individual concentration habits, helping them find the right time for deep work, to take a break, and when to reach for that cup of coffee. It’s designed to provide users with personalized insights, to help them get their best work done.”

The campaign is off to a blazing start. It has already surpassed its $100,000 goal with more than a month to go. The headphones will eventually retail for $349 but are available for almost half that price now.