Unlocking Focus: My Two-Week Trial with Neurable’s Brain-Tracking Headphones

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I Experimented with These Mind-Monitoring Earphones That Promise to Boost Concentration

The evolution of activity trackers has been remarkable. Gone are the days when they simply tallied your steps. Today, they can keep tabs on your heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and body temperature, and they're even capable of identifying sleep apnea. Presently, there's an innovative device designed for your mind—and I've spent the last fortnight putting it through its paces.

Today, the company Neurable, headquartered in Boston, unveiled its new product, the MW75 Neuro smart headphones. These headphones are equipped with EEG (electroencephalography) technology and AI to monitor the user's concentration levels by analyzing their brain activity. This information is then relayed to a smartphone application, aiming to assist individuals in optimizing their daily work habits. Currently, the headphones are up for pre-order in the United States at a price of $699, with deliveries expected to start this autumn. Additionally, from spring 2025, consumers in Europe and the United Kingdom will be able to purchase the device for €729 and ₤629, respectively.

"Ramses Alcaide, the CEO and cofounder of Neurable, announced the development of a daily wearable device aimed at monitoring mental health and averting burnout. He describes it as the ultimate device that focuses on monitoring the body's most vital organ."

Since 2011, during his PhD tenure at the University of Michigan's Direct Brain Interface Laboratory, Alcaide has been immersed in developing this technology. In 2015, he joined forces with Adam Molnar, a colleague from his student days who currently serves as the vice president of strategic partnerships at Neurable, to establish the company. This innovation is recognized as a brain-computer interface, or BCI, and is part of a growing trend of consumer wearable technologies that can interpret and convert the neural signals of a user. (In a related development, Apple last year sought a patent for its AirPods to be equipped with EEG sensors for reading brain activity.)

Devices such as those being developed by Neurable stand in contrast to invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), such as the technology being created by Elon Musk's Neuralink. Instead of requiring surgical insertion into or on the brain, noninvasive BCIs like the ones by Neurable gather data from the brain through the skin, typically employing EEG technology, and do so without the need for any surgical procedures.

EEG, an acronym for electroencephalogram, is extensively utilized for examining the electrical activity in the brain and aiding in the diagnosis of various disorders, including epilepsy, brain tumors, and issues related to sleep. This method has its origins in the 1920s, credited to Hans Berger, a German psychiatrist who successfully captured the first EEG from a young male patient during a neurosurgical procedure.

Brain cells, known as neurons, interact through quick electrical signals, and EEG technology detects these signals using conductive metal discs known as electrodes. Present EEG systems look similar to swim caps and are equipped with numerous electrodes. Usually, a particular gel is used on the scalp to enhance the quality of the signal. It's hardly the type of accessory one might choose to sport outside.

Alcaide and Molnar aimed to create an EEG device that would be accessible for use beyond the confines of hospitals and research laboratories, envisioning a device that could be utilized in everyday settings like offices or cafes. Molnar emphasized the importance of the technology's discreet integration into daily life, stating in a conversation we had at SXSW in Austin in March, "This technology won't be widely accepted in a noninvasive manner until it becomes unseen."

Neurable experimented with multiple designs before finalizing on its latest model, which features a set of wireless, noise-reducing headphones produced by Master & Dynamic, equipped with 12 EEG sensors embedded in the ear cushions. According to Alcaide, the firm's sensors are capable of detecting 80 to 90 percent of the brain signals that conventional EEG devices do. Additionally, they function as regular headphones, capable of playing music.

Founders of Neurable, Adam Molnar and Ramses Alcaide, pictured from left to right.

The human brain emits various wave patterns, each corresponding to different mental states and frequency bands. For example, alpha waves are indicative of a relaxed state of mind, whereas beta waves are more commonly observed when an individual is attentive or concentrated. Neurable's technology focuses on detecting these alpha and beta waves, employing artificial intelligence to translate the brainwave data into insights on concentration levels. The firm's AI algorithm was developed utilizing EEG data from a pool of 7,000 individuals and was further refined through a series of tests involving 132 participants. These tests sometimes introduced disturbances, such as background computer noise or alert sounds. According to a white paper published by the company in 2021, their model was able to accurately identify approximately 80% of the distractions encountered during these tests.

My initial encounter with Neurable's technology took place during a meeting with Molnar at SXSW. We were in a serene coworking area, distant from the conference's commotion, when I tried on the device. As Molnar set up his laptop, he instructed me to focus on the digits that would soon appear on the display. As each number surfaced randomly, I silently recited it to myself until it was replaced by another. Meanwhile, Molnar's laptop screen displayed a live graph filled with fluctuating lines, tracking my thoughts as I pondered over the numbers.

As soon as I embarked on the assignment, the graph showed an instant uptick. The curve maintained a consistent level while I quietly perused the text. However, the moment I eased up and diverted my gaze from the display, the graph took a sharp dive. If you're familiar with monitoring your pulse rate on a health monitor, the pattern of my brain activity mirrored this closely, displaying rises during moments of deep concentration and falls when my attention waned.

Several weeks back, the firm sent me a headset to test from the comfort of my home. By linking it to the application, you're able to begin capturing data on brain activity. You wear the gadget just like regular headphones, launch the application, and press a blue button labeled “start focus session.” The application evaluates the EEG signal's integrity and asks you to select a task category—work, entertainment, study, creative, or other—prior to initiating monitoring.

The application developed by Neurable.

In March, it required multiple tries to adjust the earpads correctly in order to record my brain activity. Achieving a clear EEG signal necessitated the headphone sensors to have solid contact with my head, but my lengthy hair often obstructed this. Nevertheless, this problem has not persisted in recent weeks. Neurable has reported enhancements to the device and its software recently, aiming to accommodate various head shapes better.

Neurable describes focus as a period during which an individual is deeply engrossed in a task that demands a certain level of ability. This could involve tasks such as using a computer, playing a video game, studying for a test, or participating in an artistic pastime such as painting. The headphones are most effective when the user remains still; Neurable mentions that if a person moves too much while using the headphones, the quality of the data collected may be compromised.

Individuals accumulate "focus points" when they use the device—receiving two points per minute during periods of "high focus" or "medium focus" and a single point for every minute of "low focus." Echoing the common 10,000-step target found in numerous fitness trackers, Neurable establishes a daily objective of 100 focus points.

In the last couple of weeks, the application has revealed some interesting details about my concentration levels. Firstly, it confirmed my suspicion that my focus is sharper in the mornings. Additionally, it pointed out that I was more attentive during leisure activities (like reading for fun) than while working (apologies to my editors). This could be due to the numerous online distractions that come with computer-based work or the fact that my job often involves juggling various tasks. Not too surprisingly, the app recorded a greater number of minutes where my focus was high or medium when I was working on a single task—like writing this piece—rather than when I was trying to multitask.

During an afternoon session lasting just beyond an hour with the gadget, I suddenly heard a message through the earpiece advising, "It's time for a mental pause." Alcaide explains that the gadget is capable of identifying when your concentration begins to wane, and this function is designed to prevent users from reaching a state of exhaustion. "Once we observe signs of your mind getting tired, we'll recommend taking a break," he notes. Although I didn't feel weary, I decided to follow the app's advice and took a brief respite for 10 minutes.

Recently, I managed to gather 200 points in a single day, receiving a trophy accompanied by a "you're on fire" notification. According to Alcaide, this concept mirrors the purpose behind Fitbit badges, aiming to encourage individuals toward positive behavior by rewarding their physical efforts.

The experience did offer me a slight uplift, akin to the sense of achievement I get from reaching my daily goal of 10,000 steps on my Fitbit. While I haven't made significant alterations to my work routines because of the device, it has encouraged me to consider multitasking with more awareness. Given more time, I might have been able to extract deeper insights into my patterns of concentration.

The details provided were intriguing, yet I questioned their reliability. Similar to numerous technology firms, Neurable remains tight-lipped about the intricacies of its algorithm's functionality. Seeking an expert opinion on the matter, I consulted W. Hong Yeo, a biomedical engineer from the Georgia Institute of Technology who specializes in creating wearable devices capable of interpreting brainwaves. My aim was to understand from Yeo if EEG technology truly possesses the capability to distinguish between states of concentration and distraction.

"He mentioned to me that it's feasible if one can measure EEG signals in a consistent and strong manner. Yeo is presently focused on assessing cognitive deterioration in older individuals using EEG."

The obstacle in creating non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) compared to their invasive counterparts lies in the diminished quality of the signal. This reduction in quality occurs because the electrodes must capture signals through the barriers of skin and bone. Furthermore, movement can disrupt the connection between the electrodes and the skin, leading to poor or lost EEG signals, according to Yeo.

Since Neurable is not asserting that its device has health benefits, the headset isn't subject to the stringent testing mandated for medical equipment. Measuring concentration involves a more subjective approach and doesn't necessitate the extensive array of electrodes that disease detection does, which requires precise placement on the scalp, according to Yeo. While Neurable aims to eventually employ its headset for medical purposes, such as tracking brain health and identifying neurological disorders, its initial focus is on consumer-oriented applications.

Nevertheless, the unique nature of brainwave data means that gadgets like those produced by Neurable prompt concerns regarding the security and storage of user information. Molnar clarifies that the headset transforms the initial EEG data into concentration metrics, anonymizes this information, eradicates the original data from the device, and then transmits it to the application. This concentration data is then encrypted, uploaded to Neurable’s cloud service, and preserved in a database. Additionally, personal details of users including their names, email addresses, and passwords are encrypted and stored in a distinct database.

"Molnar emphasizes that selling this data is never part of their plans, as it doesn't align with their business model."

Jennifer Chandler, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, notes that wearable technology is progressively creating personal health information that might be utilized in manners that aren't immediately apparent.

"Chandler mentions that if a person keeps using a device of this nature, it could generate a constant flow of data related to brain and body functions, which might then be analyzed," she explains. She references an incident in Ohio where information from an individual's heart device contributed to his indictment for two serious criminal charges, aggravated arson and insurance fraud, following a house fire in 2016.

Chandler envisions a situation where an individual, equipped with EEG earbuds during a drive, ends up in a car crash. If the brain data collected by the device indicates that the driver was distracted or not fully attentive, they might be held responsible. While Chandler recognizes the valuable feedback such brain-monitoring technology can offer—she herself uses a fitness tracker—she advises people to think about the ways in which this information might be turned against them.

One major query surrounding innovative brainwave monitoring devices, such as those developed by Neurable, revolves around whether users will perceive the advantages as surpassing the possible dangers these gadgets pose. The question also extends to whether there is a demand for monitoring concentration levels. While optimizing productivity is currently fashionable within technology circles, it remains to be seen if wearable Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) will attract widespread consumer interest.

Chandler believes that the moment individuals can control their devices through thought alone will mark a significant increase in their adoption.

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