Are you interested in starting to listen to audiobooks but are wondering if you'll get the same benefits as traditional reading? Don't worry, there are actually tons of benefits that come with listening to audiobooks that you should be taking advantage of.
To learn more about traditional reading vs listening to an audiobook, keep reading. In this guide, we will go over some of the main benefits of audiobooks that will have you ready to listen to one today.
1. Can Improve Vocabulary and Comprehension
If you read to sharpen your vocabulary and comprehension skills, you won't lose out on these benefits when listening to an audiobook. Hearing new words is a great way to learn them in context while also learning their correct pronunciation. This is an especially helpful element for second language learners and young children.
Context clues can help to grow our vocabulary and comprehension by enhancing the ability for word recognition. Listening to audiobooks can also help us attach deeper meanings to words and phrases than when reading. This is because when reading, our mind is doing additional work to fill in gaps such as voices, sounds, accents, setting, and more.
Our mind uses these details to create a full picture of a story. When reading, our brain is more likely to pick out literal elements rather than focusing on a deeper meaning.
When listening to an audiobook, our brain extracts deeper meanings from words and phrases more quickly as we are not attaching to such literal elements. This allows us to comprehend the information in the book more quickly.
2. May Spark More Imagination and Emotional Responses
Our brains are more likely to create meaningful imagery using our imaginations when listening to an audiobook than when reading in a traditional format. This is because listening to a text allows more room for our brain to process visual descriptors. This concept is similar to that of children that enjoy being read to or told a story, as they are given the space to use their imagination using the spoken words.
Additionally, listening to an audiobook may allow for a more emotional response than traditional reading or visual adaptions. This is because our brains have more space to create content and visuals that we can form a stronger connection or tie to.
This allows for higher physiological and emotional engagement by emulating our human social tendencies. We are conditioned to communicate audibly, making the prose in audiobooks feel a bit more real and grounded, leading to a greater chance for connection and heightened emotional response.
3. Audiobooks Offer an Alternative for Those Who Need It
Audiobooks are a great alternative for those that have trouble with the physical act of reading. Young children, individuals with visual impairments, or those with dyslexia, and other learning disabilities can still get the benefits that come from reading by using audiobooks. This can help those that have issues with reading, as they may find it easier to retain information from an audiobook vs reading the written word.
The more difficult reading is for an individual, the more effort they will expel in reading the words. These mental resources would otherwise be used for reading comprehension and memory. For those that have difficulty reading, audiobooks can allow them the space their brain needs to retain information more effectively with more ease and efficiency.
4. Listen to Relax or Multitask
Audiobooks are a great way to relax our eyes from looking at screens or reading text on a page. Many find that listening to an audiobook helps them relax before bed while also letting them get lost in a story. This can be a better nighttime activity than watching television or scrolling the internet, as it can promote a better night's sleep.
Audiobooks also offer convenience, as we can get reading done as we perform other tasks such as driving long commutes or doing mindless chores. This helps to improve productivity, leaving us in constructive control of our time. It can also be a great addition to your favorite outdoor activity, such as a walk or bike ride.
5. Can Enhance Literacy Skills for Kids and Teens
While audiobooks are great no matter your age, they can be especially helpful in enhancing literacy skills in kids and teenagers. This is because listening to audiobooks can help with phonemic awareness, language acquisition, and other literacy skills that often boost reading scores. Children and teens that use both audiobooks and traditional reading methods can expand their vocabulary and sharpen their pronunciation while increasing their word recognition ability.
This is also a great way for kids to experience text that is above their reading level, as a child's listening skills are typically two years above their reading skills. This is a great option for those with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, as they can listen to content that is appropriate for their age that they would otherwise struggle to read using traditional methods.
Reading vs Listening: The Benefits of Audiobooks
If you've been interested in listening to an audiobook in place of traditional reading or as a supplement to it, there are so many reasons to start. There are so many benefits that come with audiobooks that all ages can take advantage of. Keep these tips on reading vs listening in mind to reap these audio benefits.
