What are Binaural Beats and How Can They Help You Focus?

Binaural Beats - L.A. Film School Student

Remember the scene in Back to the Future Part II when Doc Brown uses his sleep-inducing alpha rhythm generator on Marty’s girlfriend? Although this machine is fictionalized for the movie, the concept behind the device is similar to a real-life sound phenomenon called binaural beats. If you haven’t heard of the term binaural beats, you may not be alone. This sound therapy is often used in the scientific study of working memory, focus and creativity. Chances are you have heard these ambient frequencies or sounds at some point in your life without even realizing it.

How Do Binaural Beats Help With Working Memory?

So, how do binaural beats work? Two different sound frequencies are produced to create the perception of a new sound frequency. For example, let’s say a person listens to a sound frequency of 132 Hertz (Hz) in their left ear and then another frequency of 121 Hz in the right ear. The different frequencies in each ear will produce a new “illusionary” sound of 11 Hz as a result.

Studies show that binaural beats increase a person’s working memory by helping the brain organize and retain information that is stored throughout the day for successful reasoning, comprehension and goal-directed behavior. It can help with relieving anxiety and enhancing cognitive focus and creativity.

What Are The 4 Major Brainwave Frequencies?

  • Beta waves – These brain waves are the fastest frequency of brainwaves (13-40 Hz). They are responsible for focus, concentration, and analytical thinking. 
  • Alpha waves – These brain waves trigger relaxed alertness (8-12 Hz)
  • Theta waves – These brain waves trigger drowsiness or a meditative state (5-7 Hz)
  • Delta waves – This is when the body is in a deep, restorative sleep (1.5-4 Hz)

Neurons in the brain communicate with each other through pulses of electricity. Binaural beats can trigger a reaction in the brain, causing neurons to prompt different emotions and actions. The alpha state is ideal to help your brain focus and complete necessary memory tasks such as classwork. One study tested the effects of different sound stimulation during working memory tasks. What the study found was that listening to 15Hz binaural beats during a visuospatial working memory task not only increased the response accuracy but also modified the strengths of the cortical networks during the task.*

While most studies show minimal results, binaural beats do have some effects especially related to anxiety, mood and performance.

Tips To Use Binaural Beats For Increased Focus While Studying

1. Binaural Beats for Concentration

To use binaural beats for concentration, you need to listen to a track on low volume. A frequency that presents your brain with a difference of 8Hz-12Hz helps your brain ease into an alpha state of focus.

2. Use Headphones to Maximize Experience

Instead of listening to binaural beats on your laptop or phone, use headphones to help enhance the experience of listening to the ambient sounds.

3. Listen From Beginning to End For Best Results

Binaural beats follow a certain pattern of sound that slowly develops over time. Resist the urge to skip parts of the track and listen to it from the beginning for the most cognitive benefits.

4. Use Binaural Beats When Necessary

Only use binaural beats for a small amount of time. This will help you sustain your focus over time and reach the “super alpha learning state.”

*Beauchene C, Abaid N, Moran R, Diana RA, Leonessa A. The Effect of Binaural Beats on Visuospatial Working Memory and Cortical Connectivity. PLoS One. 2016 Nov 28;11(11):e0166630. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166630. PMID: 27893766; PMCID: PMC5125618.

Turn Your Ear for Sound Into a Career

Binaural beats are a perfect reminder that sound does more than fill silence. It shapes focus, mood, and emotion in ways most people never notice. If the science of frequency and how it moves us sparks your curiosity, that same fascination is exactly what drives a career in audio.

At The L.A. Film School, our Audio Production and Music Production programs teach you how sound works and how to shape it, from frequency and acoustics to mixing, scoring, and designing the sonic experiences that move an audience. Request Info to explore our programs, or Apply Now and start turning your passion for sound into a profession.

FAQs: What are Binaural Beats and How Can They Help You Focus?

1. What are binaural beats?

Binaural beats are a sound phenomenon created when each ear hears a slightly different frequency. Your brain perceives the difference between the two as a third, “illusionary” tone. For example, a 132 Hz tone in your left ear and a 121 Hz tone in your right ear produce a perceived beat of 11 Hz. They’re often used in scientific studies of working memory, focus, and creativity.

2. How do binaural beats actually work?

Neurons in your brain communicate through tiny pulses of electricity. When you hear two close-but-different frequencies, the perceived beat can trigger a response in the brain, nudging it toward different mental states. Research suggests this can support working memory by helping the brain organize and retain information for reasoning, comprehension, and goal-directed tasks.

3. Can binaural beats really help me focus while studying?

They can have an effect, though it’s worth keeping expectations realistic. Most studies show relatively modest results, but there’s evidence that binaural beats can help with anxiety, mood, and performance. One study found that listening to 15 Hz binaural beats during a visuospatial memory task improved response accuracy and changed how cortical networks behaved during the task.

4. Which frequency should I use to concentrate?

For focus, aim for a track that presents your brain with a difference of roughly 8 to 12 Hz. This range encourages an “alpha state” of relaxed alertness, which is well suited to memory tasks like classwork and studying.

5. What are the four major brainwave frequencies?

There are four key bands. Beta waves (13 to 40 Hz) are the fastest and drive focus, concentration, and analytical thinking. Alpha waves (8 to 12 Hz) trigger relaxed alertness. Theta waves (5 to 7 Hz) bring on drowsiness or a meditative state. Delta waves (1.5 to 4 Hz) occur during deep, restorative sleep.

6. What’s the best way to listen to binaural beats for studying?

A few tips from the article: keep the volume low and use headphones rather than your laptop or phone speakers, since the effect depends on each ear hearing a separate frequency. Listen from the beginning rather than skipping around, because the sound builds gradually over time. And keep your sessions short to help sustain focus and reach what’s sometimes called the “super alpha learning state.”

7. Are binaural beats scientifically proven?

The research is promising but not definitive. While many studies show only minimal effects, binaural beats do appear to have measurable influence on anxiety, mood, and performance. They’re best treated as one helpful tool in your study and wellness routine rather than a guaranteed shortcut to concentration.