Listening to an audiobook is not reading

[Newmum288]

AIBU to think that listening to an audiobook is not reading?

Genuinely curious. To me, it’s like listening to a podcast, which definitely is not reading. My 3yo could listen to a audiobook, but she wouldn’t be reading it.

What's your point though? I read loads but have never enjoyed audio books. But I know people who love reading who are dyslexic and find reading a huge challenge but devour audio books. I also know of a lady who is almost blind who has read voraciously all her life and finds she can still enjoy her passion and discuss the books with others in a way she would not have been able to without audiobooks.

I haven't looked deep into the research recently but my understanding is that listening to an audiobook activates the same brain processes as reading a book. It doesn't help with practising decoding, but that's a very tiny part of reading. Listening to an audiobook above the child's usual reading age enables them to develop focus and listening skills, stretch their comprehension and hear more complex language and phrasing. Listening and speaking is the foundation for reading and writing.

Of course it is.

i listen to audiobooks all the time because im
dyslexic and struggle to track with reading.

i have ‘read’ those books.

i listen to podcasts too. That is not the same experience as podcasts are not books!

It's not reading because it's auditory and not visual, but it's still consuming a book so I would classify it as reading books in that sense. Same way I would classify reading Braille as reading. It's not visual, but you're consuming a book.

Bit insensitive to people without sight I imagine. I listen/read audibles in the car as I drive a fairly large distance each week.

Who said it was?

It depends. If it’s a young reader, then obviously reading is beneficial but for someone older like me who listens to audio books whilst out walking, I can’t really see any difference to the benefits.

I still have to concentrate and use cognitive abilities to imagine the characters and follow the storyline and I can’t say it’s much different to when I read at night with my kindle, other than having to swipe the screen.

Obviously it isn't reading. But it may offer many of the benefits that reading offers.

Well no strictly speaking it’s not “reading” because that explicitly involves the process of looking at written text and decoding and comprehension to understand meaning.

listening also involves comprehension (although it follows sound recognition rather than decoding) and so they’re different skills but lead to the same outcome: an understanding of content, so I’m not sure why it makes a difference.

I can’t get excised about someone saying they read a book when in fact they listened to it

Why does it matter to you what it’s called? If I want to consider listening to an audiobook as reading them I will! If you don’t, then don’t. It doesn’t affect
you in the slightest.
As another poster said, it’s insensitive to blind people. If a blind person consumed a book by braille, what would you refer to that as?

Is this some kind of weird moral value thing? Ie reading a book is better than listening to an audio book, because one is passive and one more active? I read a lot of books and listen to a lot of books. One thing I find is that I actually often get a more complete understanding of a book when Ive listened to it, because my eyes can skim over dull parts when reading (overly long descriptions for example) and with an audio book i don’t. I also think that a good narrator can really add to the experience of the narrative. And you can listen at the gym or in the car.

What i'm taking from your question is that she isnt achieving the goal to learn to read; she is digesting the information; but she isnt learning to read by listening to an audiobook?

To stop everyone from jumping in about the semantics of having "read" a book.

Listening is consuming the book.

However, I won't be getting a Tonies box or similar for my son because the listen-speak-read-write links are still forming, and it's starting to be clear that screens/audio/tech options don't provide a fraction of the learning opportunities as physical reading and writing.

Sweden have reversed the implementation of tech in classrooms and are starting to see the reversal of backwards trends in reading and writing skills seen since their introduction.

Helps with comprehension, vocabulary and language skills, which all help with reading

I think this sums it up perfectly.

I read a lot but don’t focus on audiobooks, so don’t take them in, so for me I don’t consider finishing an audiobook the same as reading, but that’s a me problem

Studies have found no significant difference between listening to audiobook and reading a book in terms of comprehension or emotional connection or information retention.

so that pretty much answers your questions I think?

I read books physically. Because I have kids and I know if I’m listening to an audiobook between the ‘MUMMMM?’’s then I will miss half the story 🤣

As other have said you're still taking in the book like you would if you had read it. I drive a lot so it's a great way to consume a book, I also like to read books. Why does it bother you so much can I ask?

When you're reading, the brain decodes the symbols on the page visually and you can see the whole page. When listening, the decoding is done but you have to rely on interpretation and speed and memory.

I used to dislike audiobooks but I've found my auditory processing has improved a lot by listening to them.

I'm still engaged with the material either way.

Just to confirm - I’m not bashing anyone for how they consume a book! There’s no more to it than what I wrote in the post, really. I just don’t think listening to an audiobook is reading nor is it the same as reading - because you can (for example) do it at the same time as the washing up or scrolling on your phone. Personally I enjoy actually reading a book, and think reading is particularly beneficial because it requires you to sit and concentrate and physically read and comprehend.

It's not the physical verb of 'reading' but it is the notion of 'taking in a book' which is also reading.

Would you say to a blind person who used audiobooks or felt them with Braille that they weren't really reading?

Technically they aren't 'reading words with your eyes' but they are still taking in books, and broadening your horizons and understanding of the world.

I used to be quite snobby about audiobooks but this summer spent a lot of time driving on holiday and got through two audio books.

I now often listen to one on my commute or dog walk, and have two other physical books on the go too.

I agree really. It’s like reading music - entirely different to listening to music. I love an audiobook and podcast purely because it’s not like reading - I can get on with other things while I do it!

This. I struggle with taking in fiction on audio, I can usually only do it when driving! But while it's not reading for ME, it absolutely is for others.

But her key word here is ‘personally’ that’s your person opinion. But facts show that when it comes to intelligence and comprehension, there is no difference.. of course there an actual difference, as well.. one uses your eyes and one uses your ears?

are you trying to say you feel above those who listen to audiobooks because you sit and focus on actual pages rather than multitasking? Do you think that makes you a better person or something? I’m failing to understand the point of your post.

They are great for people who have problems reading for any reason.

Dyslexia has already been mentioned. Partially sighted or blind people can find find them helpful too.

My 90 year old mother is now partially sighted and can't read anymore because her eyesight has deteriorated so much (age related problems). She used to love reading loads but will now listen to audiobooks instead. She simply can't see well enough to read anymore.

If they want to say they have read the book then so what? What does it actually matter?

You have to concentrate when listening to an audiobook too. If I get distracted I rewind the book!