The popular topic among book lovers a few years ago was whether reading ebooks was as useful (or fun) as reading a crisp paperback or hardback.

This debate has now expanded to encompass audiobooks. But here’s where things get interesting: whereas both ebooks and print books require us to read them, audiobooks simply require us to lend our ears to enjoy them. That’s not quite the same as reading, is it?

Listening to audiobooks, it turns out, has a number of advantages and may be just as beneficial as reading traditional books when it comes to learning.

Reading vs. Audiobooks

Let’s take a look at a few key characteristics to determine how well audiobooks compare to traditional reading.

When it comes to understanding, your chosen learning style determines a lot of what you can take in. Some people learn better by reading or seeing information, while others learn best by listening to someone explain an idea or tell a narrative.

Reading words on a paper may help some people focus better and absorb scenes in their own unique manner (like imagining the unique voices for each character). However, if the author contributes to the narration, you’ll most likely receive the experience the author intended for readers, as they’ll be in charge of the rhythm and tone used to read the book.

However, we must take into account the fact that many individuals multitask when listening to audiobooks. Listening to a book while driving, cleaning, cooking, or doing other chores may cause additional distractions, causing listeners to miss important information or subtleties that can make a big difference in how they perceive the book.

Overall, whether you’re reading or listening to the words has less of an impact on your understanding than your preferred learning method and the number of distractions you have.

You’ll (ideally) have some emotional connection to the subject whether you’re reading a physical book or listening to an audiobook.

The distinction between reading and listening is best described as a personal vs a social experience.

Reading may be a more personal experience since your mind is in charge of giving characters voices and generating all the mannerisms and subtleties that come with a distinct human voice.

This is why I prefer reading books—listening to an audio version later is similar to watching a movie after reading the novel it was based on: if the performers don’t match the way I imagined the characters in my brain, the whole thing seems weird. It’s not inherently horrible, but it’s certainly unique.

Audiobooks, on the other hand, may provide a more sociable but yet private experience since you’ll hear a human voice speaking directly into your ear, as if they were speaking to you and no one else.

Multitasking

Of course, when it comes to multitasking, audiobooks are the clear winner: they allow you to work on other things while listening to the book, just like you would listen to the radio.

Consider attempting to cook, clean, or drive while holding a book.

However, what you gain in multitasking abilities with audiobooks may be offset by a loss in understanding. You could miss some essential elements or simply have a less fascinating experience than you would with a physical book when doing chores or moving lanes.

You may always use the Rewind button to catch up on what you missed, or go back a few pages to reread a chapter.

Memory

One of the well-established advantages of reading is that it aids in the development of a better memory. But does it make a difference whether you read or listen to the words on a page?

One group of readers was instructed to listen to an extract from Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken on audiobook, while another group read the identical passage on an e-reader in a 2016 study. A third group simultaneously read and listened.

After then, all of the participants were given a quiz to see how well they had retained the information. Participants were able to recall just as much from reading as they were from hearing, according to the findings.

Sharing

Did you even read the book if you don’t publish an artistically constructed scene from it on your Bookstagram?

From personal suggestions to favorite phrases, book fans love to share their treasures on social media.

On the surface, it appears that hard copies and e-readers are the ideal options for your book-themed photoshoots. And they appear to be a popular choice among many literary influencers.

However, don’t dismiss the audiobook just yet! As seen in the example below, you may still use your audiobooks to take pictures, or just post a snapshot of whatever you’re listening to at the time.

Is listening to audiobooks as beneficial to your brain as reading?

Reading has been shown to help your brain in a variety of ways, including making you smarter overall. Audiobooks, on the other hand, have been shown to have highly favorable impacts on the brain by research.

According to a research published in the Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, when we listen to tales rather than reading them in standard format, our brains are more likely to develop meaningful pictures. That’s because when we listen instead of reading, our brains have more room to work on their visual processes.

Audiobooks, like their print and digital equivalents, may help you improve your comprehension and vocabulary.

Audio versions may offer an additional benefit for those of us learning English as a second language or teaching children to read, as appropriate pronunciation will be ensured.

Following along with the text while listening to the audio can improve this advantage.

There’s no denying that reading and listening to books both have significant benefits for your brain and general health.

Thankfully, a good read (or listen) is easier to come by than you would imagine! There are a plethora of free and low-cost print books, audiobooks, and ebooks waiting to be found!