Neurodiversity is normal. With increasing acceptance of the fact that human cognitive conditions differ, growing numbers of people are seeking out an ADHD diagnosis or support for their symptoms. Soundscape app Endel is among those that ADHD users have been flocking to thanks to its simple design and helpful sounds.

That’s what made Nik Hobrecker, thought leader on ADHD and founder of @adhdvision, fall in love with the app. “I stumbled upon the amazing benefits of functional sound for the ADHD brain and went on the hunt for an intuitive app that could help me leverage these sounds to get more done,“ he tells us. When he found Endel, he quickly reached out to the team with a wish to collaborate.

Hobrecker and his community of around 3 million ADHDers co-created a suite of productivity features and soundscapes with Endel, all specifically designed for ADHD users. These are our three favourites:

Made in collaboration with Hobrecker’s community, Coloured Noise is the key feature of Endel’s ADHD suite. The soundscape gives you access to eight of the most popular coloured noises for sound masking – customise them to your liking to help tune out distractions and stay focussed on your task.

Why it makes a difference: “Studies show that people with ADHD need more noise to hit their peak cognitive performance,” Hobrecker explains. Coloured noises are helpful because ”they have a steady rhythm, which gives our unstructured ADHD brains some much-needed structure.“ The creator says it feels “like a gentle breeze that clears the mind – it refreshes and invigorates without being overwhelming or distracting.“

Essential for uninterrupted time, the new App Blocker enables users to block a variety of apps while listening to Endel’s soundscapes. Opt for Focus, Relax, Sleep or any of the other modes so you won’t get sidetracked by what doesn’t matter right now.

Why it makes a difference: “As ADHDers, we’re really bad at switching our attention. We dive into another rabbit hole and lose productivity. So once we’re in the zone, it’s essential we stay there,” Hobrecker says. “With this feature, you can avoid getting impulsively distracted by your friend asking what’s up later. No more constant notifications. Just pure, quiet focus time.”

With a steady rhythm and a timer of 15 minutes or more, this soundscape stimulates dopamine to help you get through the most tedious tasks with a little extra help. It’s also useful when you need to manage racing thoughts.

Why it makes a difference: Attention Boost’s timer creates a sense of urgency. “The challenge to beat the clock is what we need to fire into gear, it helps spark motivation and focus,” Hobrecker says. “Many of us with ADHD get hyper focused on important projects at the last minute.” That last-minute rush now becomes a more manageable experience, “keeping us on track and in the zone.”

For Endel, the ADHD features are a welcome addition. In 2023, 9 per cent of Endel users reported having an ADHD diagnosis, and 22 per cent experienced symptoms without a diagnosis. In just one year, these numbers rose to 20 per cent and 33 per cent respectively, so the update couldn’t have come at a better time.

The rise in ADHD visibility and interest leaves Hobrecker excited for the future and how he and Endel might be able to help: “It’s been incredible to see how much of a positive impact the app is making, and it motivates us to keep improving and adding new features to support ADHD brains even more.”

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