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BINAURAL BEATS
Of all the types of audio stimulation, e.g., clicks, music, nature sounds, voice, etc., the one having the greatest effect on the brain waves is binaural sound.
What is binaural sound? Quite simply, if you hear one tone, say 200 Hz in one ear, and another tone, 210 Hz in the other ear, you will perceive a 10 hz or a difference tone. In his dissertation on this subject, D.S. Foster (1970) noted that this is due to "... an auditory brainstem response which originates in the superior olivary nucleus of each hemisphere, the best results from the interaction of two afferent auditory impulses, originating in opposite ears, below 1000 Hz and which differ in frequency between one and 30 Hz." The difference tone is experienced as the two wave forms flow in and out of phase within the superior olivary nuclei. The difference "beat" is routed to the RAS (reticular activating system) and simultaneously to the cortex where it can be seen in the EEG as a frequency-following response (Hink, et al., 1980). The RAS monitors both internal and external environment and the state of consciousness itself for moment to moment neural activity for suitability for dealing with the existing condition. The state of consciousness is altered as a natural function of maintaining regulation of the brain wave activity.
The first reported use of the auditory effects of binaural beats, as detailed by Oster (1979) occurred in 1839. The originator was H.W. Dove, a German researcher.
Why use binaural sound? Because binaural tones can gently alter the activity levels of the brain, they can be used to produce deep relaxation, calmness, quietness and alert, attentive states. Thus, the binaural effect sets the stage for the application protocol, whether it can be priming, hypnotic/priming, imagery, dichotic listening or multiple voices. The binaural tone can be frequency-ramped up and down to suit the protocol. Finally, multiple tones can be used to produce special effects
Of all the types of audio stimulation, e.g., clicks, music, nature sounds, voice, etc., the one having the greatest effect on the brain waves is binaural sound.
What is binaural sound? Quite simply, if you hear one tone, say 200 Hz in one ear, and another tone, 210 Hz in the other ear, you will perceive a 10 hz or a difference tone. In his dissertation on this subject, D.S. Foster (1970) noted that this is due to "... an auditory brainstem response which originates in the superior olivary nucleus of each hemisphere, the best results from the interaction of two afferent auditory impulses, originating in opposite ears, below 1000 Hz and which differ in frequency between one and 30 Hz." The difference tone is experienced as the two wave forms flow in and out of phase within the superior olivary nuclei. The difference "beat" is routed to the RAS (reticular activating system) and simultaneously to the cortex where it can be seen in the EEG as a frequency-following response (Hink, et al., 1980). The RAS monitors both internal and external environment and the state of consciousness itself for moment to moment neural activity for suitability for dealing with the existing condition. The state of consciousness is altered as a natural function of maintaining regulation of the brain wave activity.
The first reported use of the auditory effects of binaural beats, as detailed by Oster (1979) occurred in 1839. The originator was H.W. Dove, a German researcher.
Why use binaural sound? Because binaural tones can gently alter the activity levels of the brain, they can be used to produce deep relaxation, calmness, quietness and alert, attentive states. Thus, the binaural effect sets the stage for the application protocol, whether it can be priming, hypnotic/priming, imagery, dichotic listening or multiple voices. The binaural tone can be frequency-ramped up and down to suit the protocol. Finally, multiple tones can be used to produce special effects