Which is Better Between Audiobook vs Reading a Book?

Which is Better Between Audiobook vs Reading a Book?

Did you ever listen to the audiobook that you like or did you even just try to see if it matches you or not? 

Audiobooks are used as an alternative to reading a book lately, in the opinion of some people audiobooks are very helpful and accessible especially for those who have a busy life. In this modern era, many people don't take the time to read books because we should realize that the world is increasingly advanced. Nevertheless, it led to some arguments and debates between the two of them. 

The Brief History of Audiobook

Thomas Alva Edison with his second phonograph

It started when Thomas Alva Edison in 1877 invented the phonograph and made a recording of words, The recordings using phonographs are called phonographic books, with the first trial using Edison's voice. Then in 1878, conducted a demo recording at the Royal Institution in England which marked the beginning of recording technology related to literature. 

As time goes by, technological developments have increased significantly. A company engaged in the digital world succeeded in creating a digital media player for the whole world called The Audio Player in 1997. Continuing in 1998, the company officially established the first website that sells digital audiobooks by the various innovations that have been successfully created to make audiobooks can be enjoyed by all people with the player device.

Audiobook vs Reading

We all know that some people have their own preferences for their life, certainly someone has their own comfort in choosing the two of them.  

There are many differences between both of them such as practicality, sensation, also distraction. Sourced from the Times, reading books is recommended if it aims to increase knowledge. However, if it is only for entertainment, then both can be done together. The reason is, the brain will be more active and understand the contents of the book when you actually see the contents, not just listen to it.

Daniel co-authored a 2010 study that found students who listened to a podcast lesson performed worse on a comprehension quiz than students who read the same lesson on paper. “And the podcast group did a lot worse, not a little worse,” he says. Compared to the readers, the listeners scored an average of 28% lower on the quiz—about the difference between an A or a D grade, he says.

But audiobooks also have some strengths. Human beings have been sharing information orally for tens of thousands of years, Willingham says, while the printed word is a much more recent invention. “When we’re reading, we’re using parts of the brain that evolved for other purposes, and we’re MacGyvering them so they can be applied to the cognitive task of reading,” he explains. Listeners, on the other hand, can derive a lot of information from a speaker’s inflections or intonations. Sarcasm is much more easily communicated via audio than printed text. And people who hear Shakespeare spoken out loud tend to glean a lot of meaning from the actor’s delivery, he adds.

There are several benefits of Audiobooks, such as:

1. Audiobooks are very helpful for people who are blind, because blind people can't see and if using Braille is a bit of a hassle, then using an audiobook of course will be much easier and more practical because you just have to listen.
2. Because of its simpler shape, there is no need to carry thick books and there is no need to carry many books because only one tool can be used and enjoyed.
3. In addition to blind people, audiobooks can also be used and enjoyed by ordinary people, for ordinary people who are very busy but like to read and seek information, audiobooks are very helpful because they can be listened to anytime and anywhere.

So Which One is Better?

Ultimately the best answer for you is going to depend on your purposes.

Audiobooks and reading have their pros and cons, ranging from mundane concerns like space all the way to the issue of accessibility. For example, audiobooks are the perfect choice for visually impaired people or those with motor control issues who won't have to worry about holding up a book. And physical copies are better for ones with hearing loss.

You don't have to choose between the mediums. Instead, use both. When you have a busy day full of house chores, an audiobook is the best choice. When you want to take a break and enjoy some reading, a physical copy is what you want.

As long as you're consuming a book, the format that lets you do it doesn't matter much.