World’s first sleep-aiding headphones launched to help tackle chronic sleeping issues

Developed in coordination with sleep professionals to optimise the chances of falling asleep, Kokoon has announced that its sleep-aiding Relax headphones are now available, with an aim of making a good night’s sleep more accessible and affordable for everyone.

The headphones use the same technology that is utilised in sleep labs to sense brainwaves combined with three layers of noise-cancelling, including white noise, and an app that tracks sleep cycles.

Kokoon says that ‘always-on’ technology is driving chronic problems with sleep and that everyone, at some point in their lives, experiences sleeping difficulties, such as during a long, uncomfortable flight or struggling to switch off after a busy day. According to NHS Choices, one in three people in the UK are affected by insomnia.

Kokoon was founded with the mission to become the non-pharmaceutical, digital ‘go-to’ for helping people relax and sleep easier. Tim Antos, Kokoon’s founder, struggled with insomnia and after attending many sessions at a sleep clinic, he wanted a more convenient, cheaper way of getting access to the insights and techniques he was introduced to.

“I wanted to make all this knowledge, all these great tools I learnt in the sleep clinic more accessible to the everyday consumer to use on their own terms,” Tim said.

The Kokoon app features techniques developed with sleep professionals to optimise the chances of falling asleep. Many of these techniques feature Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is an evidence-based talking therapy generally regarded as the gold standard treatment for insomnia, says Kokoon.

Using these techniques, the Relax headphones provide users with a customised content experience developed solely for the individual through using the sensor data gathered from their body and environment.

For example, as a wearer falls asleep with the headphones, the audio changes in response, fading out the content and introducing white noise to mask disturbances. The system also tracks what’s working for a user, personalising the content for greater effect.

As well as delivering personalised content, the Flexmould Comfort patented design helps the headphones mould to the shape of the user’s head for a comfortable fit. The headphones are made from natural fibre fabric to ensure air can flow easily through the ear cups to keep the wearers cool and comfortable. The ear cushions can also be detached and washed to be kept fresh and clean.

In addition, Kokoon’s Sleepguard technology quietens as the wearer falls asleep whilst the inbuilt sensors measure the wearer’s brainwaves, motion, heart rate and environment tracking to learn what is helping them rest and relax.

The Kokoon Relax can also be used as regular Bluetooth headphones.

Kokoon Relax is now shipping internationally from Kokoon.io for £349. It can also be purchased from Selfridges and in-Motion UK.