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 offer a modern, convenient way to enjoy literature, transforming the experience of reading into one of listening.
Take a contemporary approach to reading with audiobooks
With audiobooks, you won’t need to actually read a book, you can simply listen to it. Fundamentally, it’s akin to having somebody narrate the book to you. This format provides an immersive way to explore new ideas, get lost in exciting 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?
You might be wondering, “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 particularly useful for individuals who use hearing aids. When someone experiences untreated hearing loss, their brain progressively becomes accustomed to a quieter environment.
When new sounds are first introduced, they can seem overpowering as a result.
Auditory training helps the brain adjust to these new auditory inputs, enhancing sound processing capabilities. It’s also useful for those with language learning challenges or auditory processing conditions. Auditory training both sharpens what you’re hearing and helps you have better comprehension.
How do audiobooks assist with auditory training?
There are a number of ways that audiobooks can help with auditory training:
- Pronunciation Practice: For individuals with hearing loss, social isolation can sometimes lead to rusty communication skills. Listening to audiobooks helps with the pronunciation of words, which can improve general communication effectiveness.
- Listening Comprehension: Understanding speech involves more than just hearing the words; it requires comprehension of the content. Audiobooks can help improve your ability to follow everyday conversations by forcing your brain to link words with concepts.
- Enhanced Focus: Audiobooks encourage longer periods of attention and engagement. They can help reacquaint you with sustained listening, which is particularly useful if you’re adjusting to new hearing aids.
- Vocabulary Expansion: Exposure to a diversified assortment of words through audiobooks can enrich your vocabulary.
- Speech Perception: Audiobooks are an excellent way for a person to practice comprehending spoken words. Unlike audiobooks, with live conversation, you don’t have the ability to rewind and re-listen to what was said. Your ability to understand spoken words can be fine-tuned by this practice.
Maximizing audiobooks as auditory tools
For maximum results, hearing specialists usually recommend pairing audiobooks with a physical copy of the book. This dual strategy reinforces the link between spoken and written language, potentially speeding up the adaptation process for new auditory inputs. The auditory training process will be enhanced by using audiobooks, making them an ideal complement to hearing aids.
How to access audiobooks
It’s easier than it ever has been to gain access to audiobooks. There is a wide variety of audiobooks obtainable on streaming services like Audible and other platforms like Amazon. Additionally, with the convenience of smartphones, you can listen to audiobooks anywhere, whether you’re at home or out and about.
Podcasts also present a similar auditory experience if you can’t decide on a specific audiobook you want to listen to. They can also be a practical way to improve your hearing while keeping your mind involved.
Linking your hearing aids to audiobooks
Bluetooth connectivity is a fairly common feature on many models of hearing aids these days which allows them to have a wireless link to your phone. This feature ensures a high-quality, seamless auditory experience by allowing you to stream audiobooks straight to your hearing aids.
Talk to your hearing specialist
Setting up a consultation with your hearing specialist is the first step if you’re considering introducing audiobooks into your auditory training program. They can help you improve your auditory skills by giving you personalized advice about how to get the most out of this resource.
Call us today and let us help you be more successful with your auditory training.