Studies Show Audiobooks Does Count As ‘Reading’

As digital audiobooks continue to become the fastest-growing element in publishing, customers are granted more choice.

In 2019, audiobook sales increased by 16% in the United States and generated over $1.2 billion in revenue, according to Good E-Reader. The Well and Good website says listening to audiobooks keeps the mind sharp just as much as “doing crosswords and playing a musical instrument” would.

“Sometimes, there is nothing better than curling up in your favorite chair with a paperback,” Well and Good writer Emily Laurence said. “But if you want to multitask and read at the same time, audiobooks can be handier.”

She continues: “But as audiobooks have become increasingly more popular, it does beg the question of whether or not you’re really getting the same benefits as traditional reading.”

On the following argument of how well audiobooks are for reading, Laurence also interviewed neuroscientist Kristen Willeumier, PhD. on her thoughts.

“Reading is a cognitively engaging task that requires higher-level cognitive processing integrating written information and language comprehension,” Dr. Willeumier said. “A consistent reading practice strengthens your ability to communicate and will improve your vocabulary, reasoning, concentration, and critical thinking skills while enhancing brain network connectivity.”

Dr. Willeumier continues by adding that whether someone reads or listens to a book, they process information associated with story comprehension.

“The brain is differentially activated when processing speech versus print… With that said, semantic processing of the information occurs in the same cortical areas, whether the input is from reading a test or listening to an audiobook,” she said. “Both formats engage multiple brain networks, and while the inputs—visual versus audio—may differentially activate the brain, semantic processing occurs in the same cortical areas.”

Psychology professor at the University of Virginia Daniel Willingham compares the usage of audiobooks to where readers use learning and comprehension skills in an electronic book, according to Time Magazine. He even says that, with practice, audiobook listeners might be able to read at the same usual level as traditional print book readers.

“We get good at what we do, and you could become a better listener if you trained yourself critically,” Willingham says.

Additionally, a final factor to how well digital audiobooks are for reading, Willingham mentions the issue of multitasking.

“If you’re trying to learn while doing two things, you’re not going to learn as well,” he said. “I listen to audiobooks all the time while I’m driving, but I would not try to listen to anything important to my work.”

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