Whether it’s ceaseless traffic or a seemingly limitless leaf blower, environmental noises are often the instigators of poor sleep quality. Even noises that don’t wake you up have subconscious effects on sleep by changing the duration of sleep stages. External noise emissions increase stage 1 sleep, a lighter sleep stage, and decrease deep, slow wave and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. These noises can also raise heart rate, blood pressure, and hormonal imbalance.

Sleep Shepherd provides a wearable device incorporated with its patented biofeedback system that monitors and adjusts binaural beat frequencies, in real-time. The biofeedback system uses an iterative loop of data collection, binaural tone generation, and analysis to facilitate the transition of sleep stages. The headband implements “Virtual Hammock Technology,” or structured sound from two isolated, stationary speakers playing into opposite ears, to induce a deeper slumber.

While numerous other products provide audio stimulators and inhibitors, such as noise-cancellation technologies, the Sleep Shepherd integrates a dynamic sleep monitoring system that constantly updates EEG frequencies according to one’s current brain rate. This instantaneous feedback allows the Sleep Shepherd to track one’s brain rate, in real time, and subtly adjust the frequency of the binaural beats, accordingly.

Sleep Shepherd has only filed and received a single patent (U.S. Patent No. 9,764,110) for its binaural sleep-inducing system. Despite its limited IP portfolio, Sleep Shepherd appears to be an active market participant. For instance, Sleep Shepherd partnered with NeuroSky, the industry leader in commercial EEG sensing technology, to develop its new brainwave filtering technology. Coupling capability with comfortability, the Sleep Shepherd offers adaptive brainwave sensors without sacrificing relaxation.