Binaural beats, honestly explained
A binaural beat is a perceived rhythm that appears when each ear hears a slightly different pure tone, for example 200 Hz on the left and 207 Hz on the right, heard as a 7 Hz beat. It only works with headphones. Claims that binaural beats change brainwaves or mental states are contested, and ONDA does not make them; it offers binaural steps as a subtle texture inside music.
How do binaural beats work?
The beat is not in either signal. Each ear receives a steady tone, and the brain combines the two into a slow wobble at the difference between them. Heinrich Wilhelm Dove described the effect in 1839. Because each ear needs its own tone, speakers mix the two together and the effect disappears; headphones are required.
What does the evidence say?
Research on binaural beats and attention, relaxation or sleep is mixed, with small studies and inconsistent results. Claims about "entraining" brainwaves into specific states are not established. ONDA treats binaural beats as a listening texture, not a technique, and makes no claim about effects on the brain or body.
How ONDA uses them
Some ONDA programs include binaural steps: two quiet tones, one per ear, low under the music. When a program uses them, ONDA says so and reminds you that headphones are needed. Programs add subtle sound modulation based on a frequency sequence from our own library, first made for frequency-wellness devices. They do not generate PEMF and have not been shown to reproduce the effects proposed for those devices. You can switch to the music alone at any time.
Binaural beats versus isochronic tones
Isochronic tones are a single tone switched on and off at a steady rate, so they work on speakers. ONDA’s Steady and Journey programs mostly use a related approach, a gentle pulse in the music itself, which also works without headphones.
Questions
Do binaural beats work without headphones?
No. Each ear needs its own tone. On speakers the two tones mix in the air and the beat disappears.
Are binaural beats safe?
At a comfortable volume they are ordinary sounds. Avoid them while driving or anywhere you need full attention, and stop if anything feels uncomfortable.
Do binaural beats change brainwaves?
That claim is contested and not established by good evidence. ONDA does not claim any effect on brainwaves or mental states.
Is ONDA free?
Yes, during the preview. You can listen for 10 minutes straight away with no sign-up, then create a free account with just an email address to keep listening.
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