Why books are better read than heard

Audiobooks have become very popular in modern society. They do not require large financial investments. But for better learning, you need to read the book.

Secrets of listening to audiobooks

Thomas Edison, the founder of the phonograph, had no idea how widespread his discovery would become. The fashion for listening to audiobooks quickly gained momentum. From 2013 to 2017, revenue from their sale in England increased by 148%. Canada and the United States of America sold 21% more audiobooks in 2016 than in the previous year.
Let us explain the excitement: listening to audiobooks can be combined with cooking or other routine work. You don't need a separate box to store them. It is easier to produce such a book. For visually impaired people, this format of information perception is the most acceptable. It opens up new opportunities in literature and allows for mental development.

Advantages of a paper book

No matter how widespread audiobooks become, they will not displace print editions. This is because it takes more time to assimilate information on a digital medium than it does to read it. The voice of the narrator is not always perceived by ear, and sketches and diagrams cannot be reproduced when recording audiobooks.

According to researchers, listening to an audiobook decreases interest in the material. The information received is ignored because there is no eye contact with the text. Interestingly, during the experiment, the participants did not do other things. They listened carefully to the text, but were still distracted. And the attention of those who were doing other work and included audiobooks on digital media was even more distracted.

However, information is remembered even worse when viewed on video. Experts have found that when listening to material, it penetrates the brain more than when it is played on a monitor. This is evidenced by the listener's rapid heartbeat, electrical activity of the skin, and fever.

Ways to memorize a book

Audiobooks are suitable for those who do not have time to read. If you need to memorize the information, it is better to read the text aloud. For the best results, we recommend using popular methods: highlighting important fragments; commenting on what you read with friends; writing down important quotes.
By following these techniques, reading will bring pleasure, expand your vocabulary, and increase your intellectual level.