How Auditory Training Can be Elevated by AudioBooks

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Back in the old days they were known as “books-on-tape”. Naturally, that was long before CDs, not to mention digital streaming. Nowadays, people call them audiobooks (which, we won’t lie, is a much better name).

With an audiobook, you can listen to the book as it’s being read by a narrator. It’s a bit like when you were a kid and a parent or teacher read to you. You’ll be able to learn new things, get lost in an enchanting tale, and explore ideas you were never aware of. Audiobooks are an excellent way to pass time and enhance your mind.

As it turns out, they’re also a fantastic way to achieve some auditory training.

What’s auditory training?

So you’re probably rather interested about exactly what auditory training is. It sounds tedious like homework.

As a skilled kind of listening, auditory training is created to give you a stronger ability to perceive, process, and comprehend sounds (medically known as “auditory information”). One of the primary uses of auditory training is to help individuals learn to hear with their new hearing aids.

Because untreated hearing loss can cause your hearing to get used to a quieter environment and your brain can grow out of practice. So when you get a new set of hearing aids, your brain abruptly has to deal with an influx of extra information. When this takes place, your brain will find it difficult, at first, to process all those new sounds as well as it should. As a result, auditory training frequently becomes a useful exercise. (As a side note, auditory training is also worthwhile for individuals who have language learning challenges or auditory processing conditions).

Another perspective: Audio books won’t necessarily make you hear clearer, but they will help you better understand what you’re hearing.

When you listen to audiobooks, what happens?

Helping your brain distinguish sound again is exactly what auditory training is designed to do. People have a pretty complicated relationship with noise if you really think about it. Every single sound you hear has some meaning. It’s a lot for your brain to manage. The idea is that audiobooks are an ideal way to help your brain get used to that process again, particularly if you’re breaking in a brand-new set of hearing aids.

Audiobooks can assist with your auditory training in a few different ways, including the following:

  • Improvements of focus: With some help from your audiobook, you’ll remain focused and involved for longer periods of time. Maybe it’s been some time since you’ve been able to take part in a full conversation, particularly if you’re getting used to a new pair of hearing aids. An audiobook can give you some practice in staying focused and tuned in.
  • A bigger vocabulary: Who doesn’t want to improve their vocabulary? The more words you’re exposed to, the larger your vocabulary will become. Let your stunning new words impress all of your friends. Maybe that guy standing outside the bar looks innocuous, or your meal at that restaurant is sumptuous. Either way, audiobooks can help you pick the right word for the right situation.
  • Listening comprehension: Perceiving speech is one thing, understanding it is another thing entirely. Audiobooks give you practice digesting and understanding what is being talked about. Your brain needs practice connecting words to concepts, and helping those concepts stay rooted in your mind. This can help you follow conversations more closely in your everyday life.
  • Perception of speech: Audiobooks will help you get accustomed to hearing and understanding speech again. But you also have a bit 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 a great way to practice understanding words!
  • Improvements in pronunciation: You’ll frequently need practice with more than only the hearing part. Hearing loss can often bring on social solitude which can cause communication skills to atrophy. Audiobooks can make communication a great deal easier by helping you get a handle on pronunciation.

Using audiobooks as aids to auditory training

WE recommend that, as you enjoy your audiobook, you read along with a physical copy of the book too. Your brain will adapt faster to new audio signals making those linguistic connections more robust. In essence, it’s the perfect way to bolster your auditory training. Because hearing aids are enhanced by audiobooks.

It’s also very easy to get thousands of audiobooks. There’s an app called Audible which you can get a subscription to. You can easily get them from Amazon or other online sellers. And you can hear them at any time on your phone.

And you can also get podcasts on pretty much every topic in case you can’t find an audiobook you want to listen to. Your mind and your hearing can be enhanced together.

Can I listen to audiobooks through my hearing aids

Bluetooth functionality is a feature that is included with many modern hearing aids. So all of your Bluetooth-equipped devices, including your phone, your tv, and your speakers, can be paired with your hearing aids. With this, when you play an audiobook, you won’t have uncomfortable headphones over your hearing aids. Rather, you can listen directly through your hearing aids.

This creates a simpler process and a higher quality sound.

Talk to us about audiobooks

So if you believe your hearing may be starting to go, or you’re uneasy about getting used to your hearing aids, consult us about audiobooks.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.

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