Brain-reading headphones ‘sense’ when you’re distracted and turn up volume

Brain-reading headphones that can tell when you need a break have been created by a firm.

The Enten headset can also turn up its noise-cancelling function if it senses you are being distracted.

There are sensors in each ear pad which detect the electrical signals in the brain, so it can send the data back via bluetooth to a smartphone app.

They can turn your smartphone notifications off too, in order to “minimise distractions” when someone is “in the zone”.

The brain-computer interface headphones have been developed by American firm Neurable.

Users will be told when they are in need of a break and what times of the day they seem to be most productive.

The technology can also create music playlists based on which songs seem to help the user concentrate, according to the Times.

Dr Ramses Alcaide, the company’s founder, said its research shows people only have two to three hours of high productivity in their day.

He wrote in a blog post: “Enten lets you know how and when that happens so you can maximize your time without overextending your brain.

“They tell you when it’s time to take a break and track what activities impact your focus.”

He said the gadget gives you “greater control over your time and how you live your life”.

Most people tend to have the same signals for certain activities, like concentrating, which means machines can pick them up.

Dr Alcaide, a neuroscientist, added: “Enten’s launch is an important first step in changing how we connect to the devices in our lives.

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“Technology’s purpose is ultimately to solve society’s biggest challenges.

“In the years to come, neuroscience will allow us to interact with the devices in our lives in new ways, freeing us from constraints and enabling technology to solve important problems for individuals and society at large.

The business said the headphones are currently at a prototype stage and it plans to start distributing them next year.

Andrew Jackson, a professor of neural interfaces at Newcastle University, warned people need to be aware of potential privacy issues as the technology develops.

He said his main concern was if they were to play adverts and use someone’s brain data to find out if they were interested in similar products.

Prof Jackson told the Times: “Facebook and Google already use our behavioural data to better target adverts, but do we really want to let them have our brain data as well?”