Frequently Asked Questions

All Versions

How long will it take to get results?

Many users feel improvement right away and continue to improve after repeated use over time. Other users feel a noticeable improvement after about 60–90 days of regular use. The key to success with HarmonicBrain is regular use. Also, try to use HarmonicBrain before, during, and briefly after situations where you want to experience the benefits of your version of HarmonicBrain. If this is not practical, run a HarmonicBrain session before engaging in the situation where you want to improve.

How can I get great results?

Users reported fantastic results when they run a HarmonicBrain session while they imagine themselves in situations where they want improvement. For example, if you are anxious about giving a presentation, imagine yourself giving the presentation every time you run your HarmonicBrain Work Stress Relief session. Ideally, do this twice a day for two-weeks prior to giving your presentation. If you don’t have two-weeks lead time, try to get as many HarmonicBrain sessions in before your presentation.

I love HarmonicBrain! Where are the social media buttons in the app?

There are none. The use of HarmonicBrain is very personal and we chose to exclude any social media access features. That said, we really value your support. If you want to help us, please recommend HarmonicBrain to your friends, family, and associates – but you decide how to do so.

Which frequencies does HarmonicBrain use?

Each version clearly displays the frequencies used. Not all versions use the same frequencies.

Does it work in the background?

Yes. Set your session up and tap the Play button. You can close the app and HarmonicBrain will continue to run in the background – even if you play music, watch a video, or make a call!

If I don’t have an internet connection or if I go abroad and have limited or no connectivity, will HarmonicBrain still work?

Yes. The core functions of HarmonicBrain will work without internet connectivity. HarmonicBrain is self-contained and does not require connectivity to function. The only time an internet connection is required is when you click on one of the hyperlinks to our website or if you want to watch the initial, startup video. The first time you launch HarmonicBrain, you will see a startup video. If you have an internet connection, the video will load, and you will see it. If you do not have an internet connection, the startup video will not load. You can simply tap the exit button and skip the video. This will take you to the app where all HarmonicBrain functions will be available and will function without limitation.

Sometimes, while HarmonicBrain is running in the background, I cannot hear the hum and/or the noise. Will HarmonicBrain still work?

Yes. The longer answer is, you have to set your levels properly.

The key is to set the non-HarmonicBrain audio levels first and then set the HarmonicBrain audio level so that it is audible (even barely so). Once you do this, the HarmonicBrain audio will always be there. What happens is that over time, your mind filters out or ignores the hum/noise and you might think that the sound is not there. It is. This is okay. Your mind is ignoring it, but your brain hears it.

In the case of noise alone, the research is a little different. Research suggests that the noise volume should be high enough that you can hear it. Remember that your mind tends to filter out background sounds. This happens with noise too. But, with noise, you can usually shift your attention and “find” the noise again. You can sometimes do this with the hum, but it is usually more difficult.

There is nothing wrong with setting the sound level of the hum and/or the noise so that it is clear while in the background of other audio. Some users report better results when they can explicitly hear the hum/noise. Never set the volume of any audio to harmful levels.

I closed the app, but it won’t stop playing?

HarmonicBrain is designed to work in the background that’s why it keeps running when you “close” the app. Tap the Stop button to stop the sound from playing. If you were using the timer, tap the Pause button then Tap the timer and select Cancel Timer.

Can I listen to music/video/audio while using HarmonicBrain?

Yes. Many studies found that the effects were better when the user listened to something enjoyable – of their own choice. So, go ahead and play music, watch a YouTube video, listen to an audiobook, watch a movie, or make a phone call while using HarmonicBrain.

Can I use HarmonicBrain during phone calls?

If I use HarmonicBrain while making a call, will the other party hear the noise/hum?

No. The person on the other side of the call will not hear the hum or the noise. Feel free to use HarmonicBrain during phone calls without worry.

Can I listen with only one ear/earbud?

No. Both ears were used in all studies. You must use earbuds or headphones during all of your HarmonicBrain sessions.

What’s the difference between a monaural and binaural hum?

The monaural hum plays two frequencies to each ear. For example, the left ear will be presented with a combination of 400Hz and 410Hz. The right ear will also be presented with 400Hz and 410Hz. The binaural hum plays one frequency to one ear and a different frequency to the other ear. For example, the left ear will be presented with 400Hz and the right ear will be presented with 410Hz. The binaural hum is actually perceived in the brain. To date, more studies have been done using the binaural hum. Even so, the results of the studies using the monaural hum have been as good as those using the binaural hum.

Why does my version of HarmonicBrain have a switch for two frequencies?

The “Freq” switch is present on some binaural hum versions of HarmonicBrain. If we find good results with different frequencies pairs, we include both of them with the app; otherwise, if we only find one frequency pair in our research that supports positive results, we use that one frequency pair. If two pairs are available, go ahead and pick the pair that you find most pleasing and let the results be your guide.

Why does my version of HarmonicBrain have a switch for two carrier frequencies?

The “Carrier” switch is present on some monaural versions of HarmonicBrain. The effective hum is present on both frequencies, so you can select either one. If two carrier frequencies are available, go ahead and pick the carrier that you find most pleasing and let the results be your guide.

What’s the difference between the frequency switch and the carrier switch?

Why don’t you include music?

The research on this subject is very clear. YOU have to be the one to select the music. We HarmonicBrain to work in the background so you can listen to any music of YOUR choice. When researchers gave study participants a choice of music, they got better results. You can listen to music, watch a YouTube video, listen to an audiobook, watch a movie, or make phone calls while HarmonicBrain works in the background.

Do you use MP3 files or audio recordings?

No. MP3 audio files use “lossy compression”. This means they discard portions of the audio in order to reduce the data size. This cuts down on storage space and transmission time. HarmonicBrain uses your iOS device’s onboard processor to generate the hum natively. No compression. No loss. No degradation. Also, MP3 files are by nature limited in length. Because they take up storage space, MP3 creators try to provide the smallest size files possible. If you want to run a session that is longer than the MP3 file, you will have to “loop” the file. A lot of users are able to detect when the loop repeats, and they find this extremely annoying. Because HarmonicBrain generates the hum natively, there are no files and no loops. Just the sounds you expect.

Sometimes there are clicks or interruptions – what is that?

All iOS apps use the iOS device’s processor and other resources. If another app grabs up too many resources, it is possible for the other apps to suffer. In the rare event you hear a click, it is because another app (or even the operating system) is momentarily using your devices resources. If you find this happening too frequently, quit the other apps you are not using. Directions for “force” quitting iOS apps: iPhone 8 or earlier

Double-click the Home button to show your most recently used apps.
Swipe right or left to find the app that you want to close.
Swipe up on the app’s preview to close the app.

iPhone X

From the Home screen, swipe up and pause.
Firmly touch and hold the app, then tap
You can also swipe up to close the app as soon as you see

If the hum and/or noise volume is barely audible will HarmonicBrain still work?

Yes. You need to set your audio levels properly.

In the case of noise (white, pink, and brown) and HarmonicBrain ADD/ADHD, researchers found that noise must be continuous and audible. This means you should set the volume of the noise loud enough that it can be heard by the user. So, if you are using HarmonicBrain noise in the background and you have music in the foreground (or you are listening to some other audio containing audio content such as a video), you should set the HarmonicBrain noise level high enough so that it is audible. Do not set it so high that it drowns out the other audio content – this is not necessary.

Regarding the hum, we recommend setting the hum so that it is barely audible. Some users prefer having the hum at a higher volume – similar to how they would listen to music. These same users also enjoy the hum by itself, without any other audio.

If you prefer to use HarmonicBrain with other audio, we recommend setting the volume of the hum so that it is just barely audible. We suggest setting the volume of your other audio first (let’s say you’re playing music – set your music volume first). Once you have set your other audio volume, go back to HarmonicBrain and set the hum volume so that you can just barely hear it. Keep in mind that as you listen to your music or other audio, you will eventually not hear the hum. This is okay. Your brain still hears it.

Use the same care when setting HarmonicBrain audio as you do with any of your other audio/video apps. Sounds that are too loud are bad for your hearing. Always set your audio volume to a safe level. If you are unsure of the correct levels, stop using your audio devices.

If I select the hum and noise and then close the HarmonicBrain app, will HarmonicBrain continue to produce sound and will the sound be binaural?

Yes. HarmonicBrain is designed to support background operation. This means you can make your sound selections, close the app, and HarmonicBrain will continue to produce the sounds you selected. You can select the hum by itself, the hum plus noise, or noise by itself. Any of these combinations will continue to operate in the background after you have closed the app (by tapping the Home/Touch ID button.

Depending on your version of HarmonicBrain, the hum will be either binaural or monaural. For example, HarmonicBrain ADD/ADHD produces a binaural hum. When HarmonicBrain ADD/ADHD is closed (goes into background mode), it will continue to produce binaural sound. When you do so, make sure you select “Hum On” and/or “Noise On” and then tap the Play button. The Hum On and Noise On buttons enable these sounds. To play a session, you must tap the Play button.

When HarmonicBrain is in the background, you can continue to use your iOS device for other purposes. Many users like to combine their own music selections with their HarmonicBrain sessions.

To stop the sounds produced by HarmonicBrain you must tap the Stop button. If you are running a timed session, HarmonicBrain will stop producing sounds at the end of your timed session. You can end a timed session early by tapping the Pause button, tapping the Timer button, and then tapping the Cancel Timer button.

How do I send feedback?

Terms of Feedback Submission: By sending feedback, you agree that your feedback, all of its contents, and all intellectual property rights automatically become the property of Practicum Publishing, LLC, without any compensation to you. Send your feedback to: HBfeedback@harmonicbrain.com

Individual Versions

ADD/ADHD

What is the difference between the hum and the white noise (or any of the noise colors)?

The Hum

The hum comprises two distinct frequencies. In monaural versions of HarmonicBrain, both frequencies are played simultaneously in each ear. In binaural versions of HarmonicBrain (such as HarmonicBrain ADD/ADHD) one frequency is played in one ear and a different frequency is played in the other ear. The purpose of the hum is to stimulate the production of specific brainwaves through a process known as frequency following (also known as, entrainment). In some respects, it is similar to how we tap our feet along to the beat of lively music. Likewise, our brains, “sync up” with the beat of the hum.

In the case of ADD/ADHD, researchers have reported that people with ADD/ADHD have lower beta brainwave production when compared to non-ADD/ADHD people. By making use of the frequency following effect, researchers have increased production of beta brainwaves. By listening to a hum containing frequencies within the beta band, study participants were able to increase their production of beta brainwaves.

HarmonicBrain produces beta band frequencies at the high and low end of the band. From our review of the literature, we believe both frequencies provide similar results. We have found that some users prefer one frequency over the other. In order to promote adoption and continued use, we offer both frequencies so that users can select the one that they find most acceptable.

The Noise

Researchers have found that noise helps reduce off-task behavior and stabilizes performance variability in those with ADD/ADHD. Their research suggests that it may also help reduce off-task behavior for those with ADHD who take stimulant medication.

In one study, researchers found that noise facilitates cognitive performance in those with ADHD, but “deteriorated performance” in the control group.

Noise, in most studies is referred to as “white” noise. HarmonicBrain includes white, pink, and brown noise. Our suggestion is to use the noise “color” that is most acceptable to the user. Many people have told us that they like to mix the noise colors to produce blends that are more pleasing than any single noise.

Noise volume seems to play a significant role. The literature suggests that the noise should be continuous and loud enough (high enough volume) to make it audible.

HarmonicBrain provides white, pink, and brown noise with individual volume control over each noise. Each noise also has its own on/off switch that lets users turn on one, two, or all three noise colors at the same time. Of course, it is also possible to have no noise at all.

Does HarmonicBrain affect users who also have hyperactivity (in addition to attention deficit)?

Yes. Researchers have found that noise helps reduce off-task behavior and stabilizes performance variability in those with ADD/ADHD. Their research suggests that it may also help reduce off-task behavior for those with ADHD who take stimulant medication.