Getting the Fit Right

This guide explains how to position your Mave headset and why it works the way it does. If this is your first session, the app will walk you through placement step by step, so you don't need to memorize anything here.

However, if you're reading this after your session, it is completely normal to wonder, “Did I actually place this in the right spot?”, this guide is here to satiate your curiosity and explain the 'why' behind the fit.

The Mave headset is designed to target specific networks in your Prefrontal Cortex (known in neuroscience as the F3 and F4 areas). While that sounds technical, finding the correct spot on your own forehead is quite intuitive.

The Rule of Thumb: The "Four-Finger" Method

For most people, finding the right placement takes just a few seconds.

1. Place your palm horizontally just above your eyebrows
2. Use the top edge of your fourth finger as a guide
3. Position the top of the headset pads at that line

The Hairline Exception (For Shorter Foreheads) What if placing the headset four fingers high pushes the pads into your hair?

If you have a shorter forehead, do not place the headset over your hair. For the session to work, the pads need direct contact with your skin. Hair acts as a natural insulator and blocks this conductivity.

If the four-finger rule puts the headset in your hair, slide it down until the pads are resting on the bare skin of your forehead. In a nutshell: place the headset as high as possible (up to four fingers), but always strictly below the hairline.

The Tape Measure Method

If you are curious to know how the science maps out, or if you are someone who simply finds comfort in precise data, there are tools available. The Beam F3 Locator, for example, allows you to measure the circumference of your head and calculate the exact "10-20 EEG" coordinates for your skull.

We want to provide this resource for anyone who finds comfort in exact numbers. However, we also want to assure you: from a scientific standpoint, this level of precision is absolutely not necessary for your daily sessions.

Why don't you need exact measurements?

The Mave device creates a broad electrical field across your forehead.

Because this field is so wide, it naturally encompasses the targeted F3 and F4 areas of your brain. Even if your headset placement is off by a few inches, that wide field ensures the correct neural networks are still targeted in the session.

Troubleshooting

Pads aren't making good contact: Check for hair, sweat, or product buildup between the pads and your skin. Reposition or wipe down the contact area if needed.

Headset feels loose during a session: A slight shift is normal, but if it slides noticeably, adjust the strap or reposition before continuing.

Tingling feels too strong or uncomfortable: Pause your session in the app and check that the pads are making even contact. If discomfort continues, end the session and contact us.

Reach Out to Us

If you have questions, contact us at contact@mavehealth.com