01 · Evidence
“May help” and “will focus you” are different claims.
A 2019 meta-analysis pooled studies across memory, attention, anxiety and pain and reported effects associated with binaural-beat protocols. The studies varied in rate, exposure time and whether audio played before or during a task. A 2023 EEG systematic review found inconsistent evidence for brainwave entrainment.
Those findings justify careful research. They do not establish that one consumer preset reliably improves every kind of work, or that hearing a beta label proves a beta-dominant brain state.
Attention is also affected by sleep, task design, notifications, environment, stress, motivation and whether the audio itself becomes distracting. A practical listening tool should support those basics rather than pretend to replace them.
02 · Common focus labels
Alpha, beta and gamma are categories, not performance buttons.
| Label | Approximate rate | How it may feel as audio | What Hamen does not claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | 8–12 Hz | Moderate rhythm for calm or relaxed-focus sessions | Guaranteed creativity, calm or measured alpha EEG |
| Beta | 13–30 Hz | Brisk rhythm for active focus or study choices | Higher productivity or ADHD treatment |
| Gamma | 30 Hz+ | Fast, energetic rhythm; 40 Hz is a common research rate | Better memory, cognition or health from the label alone |
A 40 Hz auditory stimulus can evoke an auditory steady-state response in laboratory recordings. That sensory response is not the same as demonstrating a broad cognitive improvement. See the frequency guide for difference rates and carriers.
03 · Practical work block
Use sound to mark the boundary of attention.
- Write one task. A sound cannot repair a vague work target.
- Choose the least distracting texture. Start with a restrained beat, brown/pink noise or Soft Ground ambience.
- Set a comfortable level. If you keep noticing the tone, lower it or choose a softer sound field.
- Set 25–45 minutes. Hamen’s timer creates a work boundary even though it is not a full Pomodoro manager.
- Remove competing cues. Silence nonessential notifications and close unused tabs.
- Pause and assess. Keep the sound only if it makes the environment easier to inhabit.
The useful mechanism may be ritual, masking or reduced variability—not a magical frequency. That is still useful if it helps you create a repeatable work context.
04 · Pick the least distracting mode
Binaural is one option, not the default answer.
- Binaural: stereo headphones; a subtle perceived rhythm between nearby carriers.
- Isochronic or pulse: a clearer rhythm in the signal; works through speakers.
- Steady pure tone: minimal and predictable, but too exposed for some listeners.
- Brown or pink noise: broader masking texture with less obvious rhythmic movement.
- Ambient bed: musical texture that can soften a clinical-feeling tone.
Hamen currently lets you select the options compatible with the session, adjust tone level, choose Dream Space or Soft Ground, balance ambience and set a timer. It does not yet offer a multitrack mixer or arbitrary custom-frequency input.
05 · A common comparison
Brain.fm is functional music, not binaural beats.
Brain.fm says its technology embeds acoustic modulation in music and explicitly distinguishes itself from binaural beats. It is a stronger fit if you want genre-based functional music, a web/desktop player and more work-session timing tools.
Hamen is the stronger fit when you want to see the curated frequency-oriented session, choose a compatible signal method, use pure tones or noise and return through mobile widgets. Read the full Hamen vs Brain.fm comparison.
Brain.fm’s product-related 2024 paper concerns amplitude-modulated music under its tested protocol. It does not validate Hamen or binaural beats generally.
06 · FAQ
Focus listening questions.
Do binaural beats improve focus?
Research is mixed across tasks and protocols. Some studies report effects, but a session cannot guarantee attention or productivity.
Which frequency is best for studying?
There is no universal winner. Alpha-, beta- and gamma-labeled sessions are common, but comfort and distraction level may matter more than the number.
Are binaural beats better than brown noise?
They serve different preferences. Binaural audio provides a subtle rhythm through stereo headphones; brown noise provides a deeper broad masking field and works through speakers.
Can Hamen replace a Pomodoro app?
Hamen has a listening timer, but not a full configurable Pomodoro system in the current release. Deeper focus intervals are on the exploration roadmap.
Does Hamen help ADHD?
Hamen does not diagnose or treat ADHD. A listener may choose it as environmental sound, but a medical or functional concern deserves appropriate professional support.
Sources
Focus evidence cited.
- García-Argibay, Santed & Reales (2019): binaural-beat meta-analysis
- Ingendoh, Posny & Heine (2023): EEG systematic review
- Galambos, Makeig & Talmachoff (1981): 40 Hz auditory response
- 2024 Brain.fm-related amplitude-modulated music paper
The cited studies tested their own tasks, sounds and participants. Unless explicitly stated, they did not test Hamen.