Remember way back when we used to call audiobooks “books on tape”? Nowadays we have digital streaming services and the term “audiobooks” has become the familiar term. Audiobooks allow you to enjoy literature while on the go without needing to sit down and actually read.
Audiobooks: a contemporary approach to reading
With audiobooks, you don’t need to actually read a book, you can just listen to it. It’s basically like someone is narrating the book for you. This format provides an immersive way to explore new concepts, get lost in captivating stories, or gain new knowledge. Beyond being an enjoyable pastime, audiobooks can also serve a more practical purpose: auditory training.
Auditory training – exactly what is it?
So what exactly is “auditory training”? Auditory training is a practice tailored to helping a person perceive and better understand audio information. This training becomes particularly relevant for people who use hearing aids. When somebody experiences untreated hearing loss, their brain progressively becomes used to a quieter environment.
When new sounds are initially introduced, they can seem overwhelming as a result.
Auditory training improves a person’s ability to process sound by helping the brain adjust to new sound inputs. For people who have auditory processing difficulties or language learning difficulties, auditory training can also be really helpful. Auditory training both sharpens what you’re hearing and helps you have better comprehension.
How audiobooks facilitate auditory training
Engaging with audiobooks can significantly help with auditory training through various mechanisms:
- Listening Comprehension: Understanding spoken words involves content comprehension not just hearing words. Audiobooks can help improve your ability to follow everyday conversations by forcing your brain to link words with concepts.
- Pronunciation Practice: Communication skills can frequently become rusty after a period of social separation. Listening to audiobooks helps with the pronunciation of words, which can improve overall communication effectiveness.
- Enhanced Focus: When people listen to audiobooks, their attention is engaged for longer time periods. They can help reacquaint you with sustained listening, which is especially useful if you’re adapting to new hearing aids.
- Speech Perception: Audiobooks provide real-time practice in understanding spoken words. Unlike spontaneous conversations, you can rewind and play back sections to develop comprehension. Your ability to comprehend spoken words can be fine-tuned by this practice.
- Vocabulary Expansion: Exposure to a diverse range of words through audiobooks can enrich your vocabulary.
Maximizing audiobooks as auditory tools
For maximum results, hearing specialists often recommend pairing audiobooks with a physical copy of the book. For new audio inputs, the adjustment process may be accelerated by this connection between written and spoken words. Audiobooks are an effective complement to hearing aids, enhancing the auditory training experience.
How to access audiobooks
Today, audiobooks are more available than ever. Subscriptions to services like Audible and purchases from platforms like Amazon make it easy to access a wide assortment of titles. Also, listening to audiobooks anywhere you find yourself is made possible with the advantage of smartphones.
Podcasts also provide a similar auditory experience if you can’t decide on a particular audiobook you want to listen to. They can also be a great way to enhance your hearing while keeping your mind involved.
How to link audiobooks to hearing aids
Bluetooth connectivity is a fairly common feature on many models of hearing aids nowadays which allows them to have a wireless link to your phone. This feature gets rid of the need for separate headphones, allowing you to listen to audiobooks directly through your hearing aids, ensuring a seamless and high-quality auditory experience.
Consult with your hearing specialist
If you’re thinking about incorporating audiobooks into your auditory training regimen, it’s a good idea to talk to your hearing specialist. They can provide personalized advice and help you make the most of this resource to improve your auditory skills.
Contact us today to explore how audiobooks can assist your hearing journey.