Remember way back when we used to call audiobooks “books on tape”? Today we have digital streaming services and the term “audiobooks” has become the familiar term. Audiobooks offer a contemporary, convenient way to enjoy literature, transforming the experience of reading into one of listening.
Audiobooks: a contemporary approach to reading
With audiobooks, you won’t need to actually read a book, you can just listen to it. Essentially, it’s akin to having someone narrate the book to you. You can utilize this format to gain new knowledge, become absorbed in enchanting stories, and explore new ideas. Audiobooks can also function as a source of auditory training.
Auditory training – exactly what is it?
So what exactly is “auditory training”? It’s a specialized practice aimed at enhancing your ability to process, perceive, and decipher auditory information. This training becomes especially relevant for people using hearing aids. For someone who has neglected hearing loss, living in a quieter environment becomes the norm.
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. It’s also useful for people who have language learning challenges or auditory processing conditions. Rather than simply clarifying hearing, auditory training helps you make sense of what you hear.
How audiobooks assist auditory training
Listening to audiobooks can significantly help with auditory training through various mechanisms:
- Listening Comprehension: Understanding speech requires more than just hearing the words; it requires comprehension of the content. Audiobooks can help increase your ability to follow day-to-day conversations by forcing your brain to link words with concepts.
- Enhanced Focus: Audiobooks encourage longer periods of attention and engagement. When somebody is attempting to adjust to a new set of hearing aids, becoming reacquainted with sustained listening by using audiobooks can be very helpful.
- Vocabulary Expansion: Exposure to a diverse range of words through audiobooks can enrich your vocabulary.
- Pronunciation Practice: Communication skills can often become rusty after a period of social separation. Communication will be more effective after listening to audiobooks because they help with pronunciation.
- Speech Perception: Audiobooks provide real-time practice in comprehending spoken language. Unlike spontaneous conversations, you can rewind and play back sections to develop comprehension. This practice helps in fine-tuning your ability to comprehend spoken words.
Optimizing audiobooks as auditory tools
Hearing specialists often recommend the pairing of an audiobook with a physical copy for maximum results. For new audio inputs, the adjustment process may be accelerated by this connection between written and spoken words. Audiobooks are a valuable complement to hearing aids, improving the auditory training experience.
How to access audiobooks
Nowadays, audiobooks are more available than ever. There is a wide array of audiobooks obtainable on streaming services like Audible and other platforms like Amazon. 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 connect audiobooks to hearing aids
Bluetooth connectivity is a pretty common feature on many types of hearing aids these days which allows them to have a wireless link to your phone. This feature eliminates the need for separate headphones, allowing you to listen to audiobooks directly through your hearing aids, guaranteeing a seamless and high-quality auditory experience.
Talk to your hearing specialist
Scheduling a consultation with your hearing specialist is the first step if you’re considering incorporating audiobooks into your auditory training routine. They can offer personalized advice and help you make the most of this resource to improve your auditory skills.
Reach out to us today to explore how audiobooks can support your hearing journey.
