Listening vs. Reading

SMW91183 · November 2014

Okay here's a question. Do you feel like you read better than you listen OR do you listen better than you read? I have noticed it is slightly harder for me to focus on a book when I am listening to it vs. when I am reading it. Also, I find it much easier to re-read a paragraph that I didn't comprehend than it is for me to try to rewind the CD. What are your thoughts on this? Do you find there is a difference in comprehension between the two formats or not really?

WillyH19 · November 2014

I find them to be about equal. I do tend to read for dialogue more so when I'm listening to books I tend to pick up more subtle nuances because the narrator is hitting more than just the major points. But, I sometimes have trouble staying focused on an audiobook and agree with you about going back and re-reading. It's easier to do in a print/ebook format than audio.

RevJen · November 2014

I have a tendency to speed read when I'm reading a physical book. When I'm listening, I get every single word because of the narrator. But I tend to get distracted more easily from an audiobook so I occasionally have to go back and rewind to the last thing I remember hearing.

Menrandes · November 2014

I definitely focus better when I read rather than listen.
Interestingly enough, when I read out loud for one reason or another I retain almost nothing of what I read.

sonore32 · November 2014

RevJen said:

I have a tendency to speed read when I'm reading a physical book. When I'm listening, I get every single word because of the narrator. But I tend to get distracted more easily from an audiobook so I occasionally have to go back and rewind to the last thing I remember hearing.

This totally describes me as well!

sweetrhythms · November 2014

sonore32 said:

RevJen said:

I have a tendency to speed read when I'm reading a physical book. When I'm listening, I get every single word because of the narrator. But I tend to get distracted more easily from an audiobook so I occasionally have to go back and rewind to the last thing I remember hearing.

This totally describes me as well!

This. If I'm driving I'm usually really good at listening. Reading these days I haven't had a good chunk of time to read in so I haven't been able to pay as much attention. Listening also depends on the narrator... if they annoy me, I tend to tune out more easily.

One Sweet Shannon · November 2014

These days I'm struggling with fatigue and it's rare that I sit with a book for more than 10 minutes that I'm not falling asleep. So I'm not getting a lot of reading-reading done. When that's not an issue I generally have an easier time with reading than listening.

I used to struggle with staying focused enough to listen to audiobooks, and sometimes it's still a challenge, but mostly I discover I am able to focus my mind when my body is doing something else. I mostly listen while running these days, but also do things like knit or play certain video-games where my mind can go on auto-pilot (Zuma or Bejeweled Blitz or things like that are good ones). It doesn't seem like it would be the case, but I have razor focus and the strongest retention when playing games while listening.

I cannot pay attention to an audiobook when I'm driving no matter how hard I try. I would have thought I could since I have no trouble with talk radio, but I can't keep my attention focused at all.

DaisyZH · November 2014

I have a really hard time focusing on audio books. They're just not my thing, my mom much prefers listening and it works for her more than reading.

SnShne322 · November 2014

I tend to be a lazy reader and speed through. I miss a lot of details. I read much better while I'm listening. I get all the details that I might have missed. It forces me to keep a slower pace.

packfan20 · November 2014

I think I've trained myself to be a good listener to audiobooks. I know that if I keep missing things and have to rewind, either the book or the narrator is not good.

GilliC · November 2014

Definitely reading. I tend to read extremely slowly, because I'm very focused and detail-oriented when I read. I also have a very visual memory.

I've been listening to audiobooks since they were still on cassette tapes, but it's still a struggle for me. I get distracted easily, especially since I always want to be doing something with my hands (for a long time I used to fold origami during team meetings to help me pay attention, so maybe I should pick that up again).

I will say that the "30-second Rewind" feature on the Audible app is a godsend! If I realize my mind has wandered or a loud noise or distraction interrupted my focus, it's so easy to jump back and listen again. I use that button all the time!

sassypants527 · November 2014

I am totally a visual learner. I was adverse to audio books at first because I didn't think I would pay enough attention, but when I listen in the car I am able to focus enough on them. If I try to listen at home, though, forget it. I have to be a pretty captive audience (in the car) to not have my eyes and mind wander elsewhere. I still prefer reading to listening.

jjr1214 · November 2014

It kind of depends what I am doing and what book I am listening to, but in general I am a much better reader than listener. In both cases I tend to read for awhile and then kind of stare off into space and process for a minute, but when I'm listening the book doesn't stop when I'm doing that, so I get confused. I also tend to be much better at listening when I am cooking or cleaning than when I am driving.

booneybear · November 2014

I totally zone out on audio books and forget I am supposed to be listening. And I find if I try to listen in the car, I am too busy swearing and yelling at other drivers around me to pay attention to my audio book.

I and 100% a reader.

jason&robin · November 2014

It really depends on the audiobook for me. If it's a really good audiobook, I can do a really good job at listening. If it's not that great, my mind will wander. It's hard to have a wandering mind when reading a book. They just take me longer to finish. I tend to pick lighter books for audiobooks.

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