We used to call them books-on-tape, once upon a time. Back then, obviously, we didn’t even have CDs let alone streaming services. Today, they have a much better name; audiobooks.
An audiobook allows you to read a book by, well, listening to it. It’s a lot like having someone read a book out loud to you (okay, it’s precisely that). You’ll be able to learn new things, get lost in an engaging tale, and experience ideas you never knew about. Listening to audiobooks when you’re passing time will be a mentally enriching experience.
And they’re also a terrific tool for audio training.
What’s auditory training?
Hold on, what’s this auditory training thing, you may ask? It sounds laborious like homework.
Auditory training is a special form of listening, designed to help you enhance your ability to process, comprehend, and decipher sounds (medically known as “auditory information”). We frequently talk about auditory training from the context of getting accustomed to a pair of hearing aids.
That’s because when you have unaddressed hearing loss, your brain can slowly grow out of practice. (Your auditory centers become used to living in a quieter environment.) So your brain will have to cope with a significant increase of new auditory information when you get new hearing aids. In practice, this often means that your brain can’t process those sounds as well as it normally does (at least, not at first). As a result, auditory training often becomes a helpful exercise. Also, for individuals who are coping with auditory processing disorders or have language learning challenges, auditory training can be a helpful tool.
Think of it like this: Audio books won’t really make you hear clearer, but they will help you better distinguish what you’re hearing.
What happens when I listen to audiobooks?
Helping your brain make sense of sound again is exactly what auditory training is created to do. If you think about it, people have a really complex relationship with noise. Every single sound you hear has some significance. It’s a lot for your brain to absorb. So if you’re breaking in a new pair of hearing aids, listening to audiobooks can help your brain get used to hearing and comprehending again.
Audiobooks can assist with your auditory training in a number of different ways, including the following:
- Improvements of focus: You’ll be able to pay attention longer, with some help from your audiobook pals. Perhaps it’s been some time since you’ve been able to engage in a complete conversation, particularly if you’re getting used to a new pair of hearing aids. An audiobook can give you some practice in remaining focused and tuned in.
- Improvements in pronunciation: In some cases, it’s not only the hearing part that can need a little practice. Those that have hearing loss often also deal with social isolation, and that can leave their communication skills a little rusty. Audiobooks can help you get a handle on the pronunciation of words, making general communication much smoother!
- Listening comprehension: It’s one thing to perceive speech, it’s another to understand it! Audiobooks give you practice processing and understanding what is being spoken about. Your brain needs practice linking words to concepts, and helping those concepts stay rooted in your mind. In your daily life, this will help you understand what people are saying to you.
- A bigger vocabulary: Most individuals would love to expand their vocabulary. Your vocabulary will get stronger as you’re exposed to more words. Surprise your friends by throwing out amazingly apt words. Perhaps those potatoes look dubious, or you’re worried that bringing your friends to the bar will really exacerbate your issues with your boyfriend. With audiobooks, you’ll have just the right words ready for any situation.
- Perception of speech: When you listen to an audiobook, you gain real-time practice comprehending someone else’s speech. During normal conversations, however, you will have much less control than you will with an audiobook. You can rewind if you don’t understand something and listen to something over and over again. It’s an excellent way to practice understanding words!
Audiobooks as auditory aids
WE suggest that, as you listen to your audiobook, you also read along with a physical copy of the book as well. This will help make those linguistic associations stronger in your brain, and your brain may adapt more quickly to the new auditory inputs. It’s definitely a good way to enhance your auditory training adventure. Because hearing aids are enhanced by audiobooks.
Audiobooks are also nice because they are pretty easy to get these days. You can subscribe to them on an app called Audible. A wide variety of online vendors sell them, and that includes Amazon. And you can listen to them at any time on your phone.
And you can also get podcasts on nearly every topic in case you can’t find an audiobook you feel like listening to. Your mind and your hearing can be enhanced at the same time.
Can I listen to audiobooks through my hearing aids
Lots of modern hearing aids are Bluetooth equipped. This means you can pair your hearing aids with your cellphone, your speakers, your tv, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device. This means you don’t need to place cumbersome headphones over your hearing aids just to listen to an audiobook. Rather, you can listen directly with your hearing aids.
This creates a simpler process and a higher quality sound.
Talk to us about audiobooks
So come in and speak with us if you’re concerned about having difficulty getting accustomed to your hearing aids or if you think you might be experiencing hearing loss.