Listen instead of reading-the advantages of audio books and audiobook apps

The world of literature today offers us various ways to experience stories and acquire knowledge. Two of the most prominent methods are traditional reading and listening to audio books . Both have their own advantages and disadvantages that make them attractive for different target groups.

Some can devour one book after the other, others prefer the hearing variants. why audio books are sometimes a good alternative to reading and which apps are available from various genres of various genres, as well as different criteria that matter when deciding on an audio book app .

Read the audio book vs.

We learn together the differences and similarities between audio books and reading, supplemented by scientific studies and knowledge, and the most frequently asked questions on this topic.

The advantages and disadvantages of traditional reading

Reading a book is an immersive experience that calls for our imagination and cognitive skills in a unique way. When we read, we are actively involved in the creation process of mental images and scenarios.

Advantages:

• Deeper understanding and memory: Studies have shown that reading promotes understanding and memory of information. An article published in the journal "Psychological Science" points out that readers can better remember details and context because they use more cognitive resources to process text.

• Improvement of language skills: reading extends the vocabulary and improves grammatical knowledge. By reading, young readers develop a better sense of language.

• Possible deceleration and reflection: Reading enables a slower experience of stories, which offers space for reflection and deeper examination of the content.

Disadvantages:

• Time -consuming: reading requires active time planning, which can be difficult, especially in a hectic lifestyle.

• Physical limits: Printed books require physical handling and good lighting conditions, which can make reading more difficult in certain situations.

This happens when you read more books again - a self -experiment

Audio books: multitasking and convenience

Listening to audio books is a flexible and accessible way to enjoy stories and record information, especially for people with a full schedule.

Advantages:

Listen to the voice of the reader and let the imagination run wild - to hear a story "only" instead of reading it in the book, has numerous advantages:

• Comfort and accessibility: audio books can be heard on the way to work, sports or in housework. This makes it possible to use "dead" Listeners do not have to turn pages and do not exert their eyes. Especially after a stressful day with a lot of screen time or long car rides, the eyes are often tired and reading is difficult - an audio book can be a nice alternative here.
• Multitasking : Another advantage is that in addition to listening, other activities can also easily be done, such as homework that is much easier with the appropriate entertainment from an audio book.
• Entertainment in sport: Do sports on the home trainer, put a yoga unit or be out (with headphones and smartphones in your pocket) - none of this can be seen when reading book books, but is no problem when listening to audio books.
• A lot of reading material in a short time: If you like to read a lot of books, but have little time for it, also benefit from audio books.
• Living experience: If the book is read by someone who tells very lively and excitingly, the listening experience can be very intense and enriching.
• Emotional depth through speakers: Professional speakers can bring additional emotional depths into the text through their interpretation and emphasis on, which may be less tangible when reading.
• Also suitable for reading people: Whether dyslexic or those affected with a reading spelling weakness-booklips are also open to those who are unable to read a book.
• To fall asleep: Relaxing and loose stories are particularly suitable shortly before going to bed because they help you switch off.
• Community feeling: audio books are ideal for playing them up several people, such as children or a group of friends.

Disadvantages:

• Lower receptivity: Studies such as those published in the "Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior" indicate that listeners can remember less details if they hear a text compared to reading.

• Missing visual information: In the case of textbooks or complex texts, visual aids, such as diagrams or tables, may be missing for clarification.
• Risk of diversion: Audiobooks require a certain concentration so as not to lose the thread, and it can easily happen that you are distracted by external noises or thoughts.

The experience of a user with audiobook apps

Scientific knowledge and studies

Several studies have dealt with the cognitive differences between reading and listening to texts. study carried out in 2019 by the University of California, Berkeley, found that the same brain regions are activated both when listening and reading and reading, which are responsible for language processing and understanding. This indicates that both methods generally require similar cognitive processes.

“Journal of Neuroscience” in 2016 showed that the in -depth understanding and memory of complex information may be supported more effectively by visual reading, since it promotes an active construction of mental images and scenarios.

Versatile selection via audiobook apps

Audiobook apps such as Storytel , Nextory , Bookbeat , Audible , Podimo , Legimi and many more offer easy access to a wide variety of radio plays. Depending on the taste, there is a large selection of different books: funny novels, love stories, crime novels or thrillers up to children's books - there is something for everyone.

In order to get a good picture of the various audio books, the offer from Hörbuchapps.de , where you can read numerous reviews on various audiobook apps and easily find the best offers by listening free.

What is important when deciding on a radio play app?

Which audiobook app fits best for your own taste can be very different. In addition to a comparison of the costs per month for the app, it is the number of users, but also possible subscription offers for families and offline mode, which are considered crucial criteria.

In offline mode you can listen to all audio books even if no WLAN or mobile data is available, for example on the go on travel or in other places without internet availability.

Family subscriptions provide access to the audio book offers for the whole family. In addition, some apps only offer access for a user, but apps that can be used by up to 5 users are practical.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Is it better to read or hear?

The answer depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. If you strive for deeper understanding and memory, reading can be more advantageous. If you want to be flexible and do multitasking, audio books are ideal.

2. Do audio books lose important details compared to reading?

It can happen that important details are less adhering to when listening than reading, especially with complex texts. Nevertheless, professional speakers often offer an enriching experience through their interpretation.

3. Do audio books improve language skills as well as reading?

Audiobooks can improve listening understanding and vocabulary, especially if you hear them in a foreign language. However, active reading is more effective for grammatical development and spelling.

4. Which medium is better for children?

Both media have their advantages. Reading can promote language development, spelling and understanding, while audio books can strengthen hearing understanding and the ability to follow stories. A combination of both can be particularly enriching.

5. Are audio books more suitable for certain genres?

Audi books are ideal for narrative genres such as novels or biographies, where the emotional lecture plays an important role. Specialist and textbooks that often use visual aids could be better read.

In conclusion, it can be said that both reading and listening to books make their own valuable contributions to personal and intellectual development. The choice of the medium should depend on the individual needs and everyday habits - and ideally, you should combine both methods to draw the best of both worlds.