In the past they were called “books-on-tape”. Back then, obviously, we didn’t even have CDs let alone streaming services. Today, they have a much better name; audiobooks.
With an audiobook, you can listen to the book being read by a narrator. It’s sort of like having somebody read a book out loud to you (okay, it’s precisely that). You’ll be able to discover new things, get lost in an enchanting tale, and explore ideas you were never aware of. Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time and enrich your mind.
As it turns out, they’re also a fantastic way to accomplish some auditory training.
What’s auditory training?
So you’re most likely pretty interested about exactly what auditory training is. It sounds tedious like homework.
As a skilled form of listening, auditory training is created to give you a stronger ability to perceive, process, and distinguish sounds (known medically as “auditory information”). We often talk about auditory training from the context of getting used to a set of hearing aids.
Because neglected hearing loss can cause your hearing to become used to a quieter environment and your brain can get out of practice. So your brain will need to cope with a big influx of new auditory information when you get new hearing aids. When this occurs, your brain will find it hard, at first, to process all those new sounds as well as it should. As a result, auditory training frequently becomes a useful exercise. Also, for individuals who are coping with auditory processing disorders or have language learning difficulties, auditory training can be a useful tool.
Another perspective: 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?
Auditory training was created to help your brain get used to making sense out of sounds again. If you think about it, humans have a really complex relationship with noise. Every single sound you hear has some significance. Your brain needs to do a lot of work. The idea is that audiobooks are a great way to help your brain get accustomed to that process again, especially if you’re breaking in a brand-new pair of hearing aids.
Here are a few ways audiobooks can help with auditory training:
- A bigger vocabulary: Who doesn’t want to increase their vocabulary? Your vocabulary will get bigger as you’re exposed to more words. Let your impressive new words impress all of your friends. Perhaps that guy standing outside the bar looks innocuous, or your food at that restaurant is sumptuous. With audiobooks, you’ll have just the right words queued up for any situation.
- Perception of speech: Audiobooks will help you get accustomed to hearing and understanding speech again. But you also have a little more control than you would during a normal conversation. You can listen to sentences as many times as you need to in order to understand them. It’s the perfect way to practice understanding words!
- Improvements in pronunciation: You’ll frequently need practice with more than just the hearing part. Individuals with hearing loss often also deal with social isolation, and that can leave their communication skills a bit rusty. Audiobooks can make communication a great deal easier by helping you get a grip on pronunciation.
- Listening comprehension: It’s one thing to perceive speech, it’s another to comprehend it! Audiobooks give you practice digesting and understanding what is being talked about. Your brain needs practice linking words to concepts, and helping those concepts stay rooted in your mind. This can help you follow conversations more closely in your day-to-day life.
- Improvements of focus: You’ll be able to pay attention longer, with some help from your audiobook friends. After all, if you’re getting accustomed to a new set of hearing aids, it might have been a while since you last took part in and listened to an entire conversation. An audiobook can give you some practice in remaining focused and tuned in.
Using audiobooks as aids to auditory training
Reading along with a physical version of your audiobook is highly advisable. Your brain will adjust faster to new audio inputs making those linguistic links stronger. In essence, it’s the perfect way to reinforce your auditory training. Because hearing aids are enhanced by audiobooks.
Audiobooks are also good because they are pretty easy to get these days. There’s an app called Audible which you can get a subscription to. Many online vendors sell them, and that includes Amazon. Anywhere you find yourself, you can cue one up on your phone.
Also, if you can’t find an audiobook you particularly like, you could always try listening to a podcast to get the same effect (and there are podcasts on just about every topic). Your mind and your hearing can be enhanced simultaneously.
Can I listen to audiobooks with my hearing aids
Bluetooth capability is a feature that is included with many contemporary hearing aids. So all of your Bluetooth-enabled devices, including your phone, your tv, and your speakers, can be connected with your hearing aids. With this, when you listen to an audiobook, you won’t need uncomfortable headphones over your hearing aids. You can utilize your hearing aids for this instead.
This creates an easier process and a better 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.