In the past they were known as “books-on-tape”. Naturally, that was long before CDs, much less digital streaming. Nowadays, people call them audiobooks (which, to be honest, is a far better name).
An audiobook allows you to read a book by, well, listening to it. It’s sort of like having somebody read a book aloud to you (okay, it’s exactly that). You’ll be able to discover new things, get lost in an engaging story, and experience ideas you were never aware of. Audiobooks are an excellent way to pass the time and enhance your mind.
And they’re also an ideal tool for audio training.
Auditory training – what is it?
So you’re probably pretty interested about exactly what auditory training is. It sounds tedious like homework.
As a specialized form of listening, auditory training is designed to give you a better ability to perceive, process, and comprehend sounds (known medically as “auditory information”). One of the primary uses of auditory training is to help individuals 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 your brain will have to cope with a big influx of new auditory signals when you get new hearing aids. When this happens, your brain will find it hard, at first, to process all those new sounds as well as it should. Auditory training can be a practical tool to help deal with this. (As a side note, auditory training is also useful for those who have language learning difficulties or auditory processing disorders).
Another perspective: It’s not so much that audiobooks can improve your hearing, it’s that they can help you better understand what you hear.
When you listen to audiobooks, what happens?
Auditory training was created to help your brain get used to distinguishing sounds again. If you think about it, humans have a really complicated relationship with noise. Every sound you hear has some significance. Your brain needs to do a lot of work. So if you’re breaking in a new pair of hearing aids, listening to audiobooks can help your brain get used to hearing and understanding again.
Audiobooks can help with your auditory training in a few different ways, including the following:
- Improvements of focus: You’ll be able to focus your attention longer, with a little help from your audiobook friends. Maybe it’s been some time since you’ve been able to engage in a full conversation, especially if you’re breaking in a new set of hearing aids. An audiobook can give you some practice in remaining focused and tuned in.
- Improvements in pronunciation: Sometimes, it isn’t only the hearing part that can need a little practice. Individuals with hearing loss frequently also deal with social isolation, and that can make their communication skills a bit out of practice. Audiobooks can make communication much easier by helping you get a grip on pronunciation.
- Perception of speech: Audiobooks will help you get used to hearing and understanding speech again. But you also have a little bit more control than you would during a normal conversation. You can rewind if you don’t understand something and listen to something over and over again. This works really well for practicing following words.
- A bigger vocabulary: Who doesn’t want to improve their vocabulary? The more words you’re subjected to, the larger your vocabulary will become. Let your impressive new words impress all of your friends. Perhaps those french fries look dubious, or you’re concerned that bringing your friends along to the bar will really exacerbate your issues with your boyfriend. Either way, audiobooks can help you find the right word for the right situation.
- Listening comprehension: Hearing speech is one thing, understanding it is another thing entirely. When you follow the story that the narrator is reading, you will get practice distinguishing speech. Your brain requires practice helping ideas take root in your mind by practicing joining those concepts to words. In your day-to-day life, this will help you distinguish what people are saying to you.
Using audiobooks as aids to auditory training
WE recommend that, as you enjoy your audiobook, you also read along with a physical copy of the book as well. Your brain will adjust faster to new audio signals making those linguistic connections stronger. It’s definitely a good way to enhance your auditory training adventure. Because hearing aids are complemented by audiobooks.
Audiobooks are also good because they are pretty easy to get right now. You can subscribe to them on an app called Audible. You can easily get them from Amazon or other online vendors. Anyplace you find yourself, you can cue one up on your phone.
Also, if you can’t find an audiobook you really like, you could always try listening to a podcast to get the same experience (and there are podcasts on practically every topic). Your mind and your hearing can be enhanced at the same time.
Can I use my hearing aids to listen to audiobooks?
Bluetooth capability is a feature that comes with many modern 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 play an audiobook, you won’t have uncomfortable headphones over your hearing aids. Instead, you can listen directly through your hearing aids.
This results in an easier process and a higher quality sound.
Ask us about how audiobooks can help with your auditory training
So come in and speak with us if you’re concerned about having difficulty getting used to your hearing aids or if you believe you might be experiencing hearing loss.
