How does a consumer EEG headband differ from the EEG a hospital records? · Grey Matter

A clinical EEG places 19 or more electrodes over the whole head in the standard 10-20 layout, each fixed with conductive gel after the skin is prepared, so the contact is good and every lobe is covered.

How does a consumer EEG headband differ from the EEG a hospital records?

A clinical EEG places 19 or more electrodes over the whole head in the standard 10-20 layout, each fixed with conductive gel after the skin is prepared, so the contact is good and every lobe is covered. A headband such as Muse uses four dry electrodes on the forehead and behind the ears, where there is no hair, so it sees mainly the front and the sides of the head and records more blinks and jaw tension along with the brain. It can follow broad changes such as alpha rising when a person relaxes or closes the eyes, and it cannot locate a seizure or support a diagnosis.