A 'smart' pillow that plays music, delivering audio only to the person resting their head on it, has been developed.
The Dreampad pillow delivers vibrations produced by transducers inside it to the bony area around the middle and inner ear.
The audio is heard only by the person in direct contact with the Dreampad, leaving their partner undisturbed, even when lying right next to the device.
The pillow measures 30 x 56 x 5 cm, allowing it to be positioned on top of a standard pillow inside a pillowcase.
The Dreampad connects to an audio player via a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack, 'Gizmag' reported.
Five music programmes are included: users may download them to their own device, or purchase the optional pre-loaded.
An MP3 player preloaded with relaxing music is also offered as an optional extra for anyone without their own audio device.
Preliminary data shows that the Dreampad stimulates our body's relaxation response, which allows us to let go of stress and fall asleep, its makers claim.
Along with the decrease in sleep-related problems comes improvement with daytime performance, including physical, emotional, social and executive functioning. Studies to date have included children and adults, with both groups seeing equal benefit, according to the product's website.
The Dreampad is priced at USD 179.
