Did you ever listen to radio dramas as a kid? Relying on dialogue, music, and sound effects, these acoustic performances had the power to transport their listeners into far-off settings with entertaining stories. Although they’re not popular currently, a similar form of entertainment is steadily increasing in popularity: audiobooks! If you’ve never given audiobooks a shot, what are you waiting for? Not only are they incredibly accessible (you can purchase them online or borrow them through your library), but also almost all books are now available in audio form. If you need more convincing, scroll down to discover the benefits of audiobooks.
Benefits of Audiobooks
First, it’s important to note that listening to audiobooks isn’t “cheating.” In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, books stimulated the cognitive and emotional areas of participants’ brains regardless of whether participants read them or listened to them. And just like physical books, audiobooks have the ability to immerse you in another world. Let’s explore some of the other benefits of audiobooks . . .
Excellent for People with Visual Impairments
Are you always losing your reading glasses? Do you find it hard to read in dim light? Do you suffer from an eye condition, like cataracts? Anyone who has trouble reading should give audiobooks a try.
Give Your Eyes a Break
If you exercise your eyes a lot throughout the day (reading the newspaper, doing Sudoku puzzles, emailing friends, etc.), you’ll appreciate that audiobooks give you a chance to rest your eyes. You could look out a window while you listen or perhaps even close your eyes. Do you typically read e-books? Digital screens can be especially straining on the eyes and may cause eye dryness. If you’re tired of staring at a screen, try an audiobook.
Improve Time Management
One of the best benefits of audiobooks is that they allow for multitasking. While you’re tidying up, folding laundry, or cooking dinner, you can listen to an audiobook. This may help you free up some time in your schedule. Of course, it’s also lovely to listen to an audiobook while sitting in a comfortable chair or lying in bed. You do you!
Build Critical Listening Skills
Audiobooks require your brain to process a lot of information simultaneously. They may even help build your critical listening and comprehension skills. Think about the plot of a mystery novel. Not only do you need to keep track of the basic plot, but you also need to remember all the characters, piece together the clues, and relate the events to one another in order to speculate about the outcome. Whether you’re reading a physical book or listening to an audiobook, the process can sharpen your mind and enhance your analytical thinking skills.
Boost Focus and Attention Span
Do you often find your mind darting from thing to thing, anticipating what’s next? When you listen to an audiobook, you’re forced to pay attention to what the narrator is saying in order to understand the content. At first, you might find yourself frequently getting distracted, but if you continue listening, you will improve your ability to focus.
Enjoy the Narrator’s Enthusiasm
Finally, one of the greatest benefits of audiobooks is that the narrators are often highly entertaining. They might use different accents or voices to convey the personalities of the characters. In some cases, the author will even act as the narrator!
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Whether you enjoy fiction or nonfiction, memoirs or fantasies, give an audiobook a try. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy hearing a story read aloud. If you need help getting started, contact your local library for more information.
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