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The New Sleep Aid Device Buzz

Many Americans have trouble sleeping.

In fact, according to Forbes, 50 to 70 million Americans are affected by chronic sleep disorders and frequent sleep problems that can significantly deteriorate their health, alertness and safety.

But what if, instead of those pills people pop to help them sleep, there was a gadget that could help? Well, modern technology is a wonder and there are several on the market. One sleep aid device in particular has been getting a lot of buzz this year.

The Aura by Withings consists of a sensor pad, a bedside combination of alarm clock and lamp, and an iPhone app.

The sensor pad is reportedly about as big as a hand towel and as thick and soft as a quilt. It slides under the mattress and detects a sleeper’s movements, heart rate and breathing patterns. It factors in these movements to measure sleep rhythms as they revolve from lighter sleep to deep, slow-wave sleep to REM sleep.

According to Forbes, the pad is delicate enough to detect small movements like the rise and fall of your chest and—when you’re laying completely still in deep sleep—even your heart rate.

The Aura pairs with an iPhone app that stores and shows all of your sleep data in user-friendly graphics while working with the bedside lamp and alarm clock to guide you peacefully awake at the right time.

The bedside lamp is also intelligent. It features a customizable noise machine to help you drift off to dreamland, and later chooses a good time to wake you based on your sleep rhythms.

It also monitors ambient noise and temperature in case you want to know the conditions when you woke up.

At $299, the Aura isn’t cheap but it isn’t the most expensive product on the market either. Withings says its users can achieve noticeably better sleep within days or weeks of use.

Don’t forget that a good mattress still makes all the difference. It is your first line of defense against bad sleep. A quality mattress means you’re comfortable, and that’s always key when you’re trying to snag some wondrous Zzzs.

Have you tried the Aura? If so, let us know how you liked it!