Imagine earbuds that not only deliver your favorite playlist but also act as a personal brain health companion. That's the exciting reality French startup NAOX is bringing to life, and it could revolutionize how we approach mental wellness in our daily lives.

At CES 2026, NAOX unveiled the NAOX Wave, a pair of wireless earbuds with built-in EEG technology that can monitor your brain's activity throughout the day. This isn't science fiction—it's real innovation that could be in your ears by the end of 2026, quietly keeping tabs on your cognitive health while you work, relax, or sleep.

The technology behind these remarkable earbuds comes from NAOX's clinical device, the Link NX01, which is already transforming medical research. Rather than the cumbersome wire-covered caps traditionally used in sleep clinics, NAOX has miniaturized this sophisticated brain-monitoring technology to fit comfortably in your ear canal. This means the same reliable medical-grade technology used by healthcare professionals will soon be accessible to everyday consumers.

What makes this development particularly exciting is how seamlessly it integrates health monitoring into something we already use daily. The NAOX Wave doesn't require any special effort or routine changes. Simply wear your earbuds as you normally would, and they'll track your mental activity, providing valuable insights through a companion app.

The app promises to deliver a wealth of information to help you optimize your wellbeing. You'll receive detailed sleep analytics to help you rest better, mental health insights to understand your emotional patterns, and cognitive performance metrics to track how sharp your mind is feeling. The technology even provides information about your brain's biological age, giving you a fascinating window into your neurological wellness.

Perhaps most encouraging is that this breakthrough technology might not remain exclusive to NAOX. The company has expressed enthusiasm about licensing its innovation to established audio brands, which means we could see brain-monitoring capabilities appearing in earbuds from multiple trusted manufacturers. This competitive approach could accelerate adoption and make the technology more affordable and accessible to people worldwide.

The implications for preventive healthcare are profound. By making brain health monitoring as easy as listening to music, NAOX is democratizing access to information that was previously only available through expensive clinical visits. This could help people identify sleep issues, stress patterns, or cognitive changes earlier, enabling them to take proactive steps toward better health.

As we move toward 2026, the line between wellness technology and everyday gadgets continues to blur in the most wonderful ways. The NAOX Wave represents a future where monitoring our health isn't a chore but an invisible, effortless part of living our best lives. It's healthcare that fits into your pocket and your lifestyle, empowering you with knowledge about the most important organ in your body—all while you enjoy your favorite podcast or unwind with relaxing sounds.