In the past they were called “books-on-tape”. Back then, of course, we didn’t even have CDs never mind streaming services. These days, they have a much better name; audiobooks.
An audiobook gives you the ability to read a book by, well, listening to it. It’s kind of like having somebody read a book out loud to you (okay, it’s precisely that). You’ll be able to learn new things, get lost in an enchanting tale, and experience ideas you were never aware of. Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time and enhance your mind.
And they’re also a great tool for audio training.
What’s auditory training?
So you’re probably rather curious about what exactly auditory training is. It sounds tedious like homework.
Auditory training is a specialized form of listening, developed to help you enhance your ability to process, perceive, and decipher sounds (medically known as “auditory information”). One of the principal uses of auditory training is to help people learn to hear with their new hearing aids.
Because neglected hearing loss can cause your hearing to get used to a quieter environment and your brain can get out of practice. So when you get a new set of hearing aids, your brain abruptly has to deal with an influx of additional information. When this occurs, your brain will find it hard, at first, to process all those new sounds as well as it should. Consequently, auditory training often becomes a worthwhile exercise. (As a side note, auditory training is also worthwhile for those with language learning challenges or auditory processing conditions).
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?
Helping your brain distinguish sound again is precisely what auditory training is created to do. If you think about it, people have a very complex relationship with noise. Every single sound signifies something. Your brain needs to do a lot of work. The idea is that audiobooks are an excellent way to help your brain get used to that process again, especially if you’re breaking in a new pair of hearing aids.
Here are a few ways audiobooks can help with auditory training:
- Perception of speech: When you listen to an audiobook, you get real-time practice comprehending somebody else’s speech. During normal conversations, however, you will have much less control than you will with an audiobook. You can listen to sentences numerous times in order to distinguish them. It’s an excellent way to practice understanding words!
- Improvements in pronunciation: Sometimes, it isn’t only the hearing part that can need a little practice. Those that have hearing loss often also suffer from social isolation, and that can leave their communication skills a little out of practice. Audiobooks can make communication much easier by helping you get a grip on pronunciation.
- A bigger vocabulary: Most individuals would love to broaden their vocabulary. The more words you’re exposed to, the bigger your vocabulary will become. Surprise your friends by using amazingly apt words. Maybe those french fries look dubious, or you’re worried that bringing your friends to the bar will really exacerbate your issues with your boyfriend. Either way, audiobooks can help you pick the right word for the right situation.
- Improvements of focus: You’ll be able to pay attention longer, with a little help from your audiobook pals. After all, if you’re getting accustomed to a new pair of hearing aids, it might have been a while since you last took part in and listened to an entire conversation. You might need some practice tuning in and remaining focused, and audiobooks can help you with that.
- Listening comprehension: It’s one thing to perceive speech, it’s another to comprehend it! When you follow along with the story that the narrator is reading, you will get practice distinguishing speech. Your brain needs practice helping ideas take root in your mind by practicing linking those concepts to words. This can help you follow conversations more closely in your daily life.
Audiobooks as auditory aids
Reading along with a physical copy of your audiobook is definitely recommended. This will help make those linguistic connections stronger in your brain, and your brain may adapt more quickly to the new auditory signals. In other words, it’s a great way to reinforce your auditory training. That’s because audiobooks complement hearing aids.
It’s also very easy to get thousands of audiobooks. You can subscribe to them on an app called Audible. Many online vendors sell them, including Amazon. Anyplace you find yourself, you can cue one up on your phone.
And there are also 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 together.
Can I utilize my hearing aids to play audiobooks?
Bluetooth functionality is a feature that is included with many modern hearing aids. Meaning, you can pair your hearing aids with your cellphone, your speakers, your tv, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device. With this, when you play an audiobook, you won’t have uncomfortable headphones over your hearing aids. You can use your hearing aids for this instead.
This results in a simpler process and a higher quality sound.
Consult us about audiobooks
So if you believe your hearing might be on the way out, or you’re worried about getting accustomed to your hearing aids, talk to us about audiobooks.