Can you read and listen to Audible at the same time? Discover the answer that can help you with immersion reading.

Can you read and listen to Audible at the same time?

Amazon’s Audible is among the leading audiobook services. People worldwide use Audible subscriptions to listen to new books in various genres, from fantasy and thriller bestsellers to non-fiction books and even podcasts.

While listening to audiobooks is a great pastime, some readers might prefer an advanced option: simultaneously reading and listening to the same title. This practice is called immersion reading. Let’s explore how to read and listen to Audible at the same time with immersion reading for Audible books and Audible Narration for Kindle books, plus take a look at an alternative audiobook service.

e time with immersion reading for Audible books and Audible Narration for Kindle books, plus take a look at an alternative audiobook service.

Benefits of reading and listening at the same time

Some people refer to listening to audiobooks as reading audiobooks, but you can actually experience read long audiobooks by reading the text and listening at the same time for books with audio versions. There are many benefits to audiobook reading, including:

• Enhanced reading experience: When you pair the tactile sensation of flipping through a physical book with the auditory experience of an audiobook, it can deepen the overall reading experience. The combination of both visual and auditory stimuli can make the content more engaging.
• Assistance for people with reading disabilities: Some readers may struggle with reading due to dyslexia or other reading disabilities. By listening to an audiobook while following along in a physical book, they can better understand the material and improve their reading skills.
• Improved reading comprehension: Engaging both the sense of sight and hearing can help in reinforcing the material. Readers can more easily understand complex subjects or challenging vocabulary when they both see and hear the words.
• Increased retention: Research suggests that when multiple senses are involved in learning, retention can be improved. Reading books while also listening to them can help embed the content in the memory, making it easier to recall later.
• Flexibility for different types of learners: Some people are visual learners, while others are auditory. By offering both reading and listening options simultaneously, individuals can choose the method that best suits their learning style or even switch between them.
• Support for non-native language speakers: For those learning a new language, reading a physical book while listening to the pronunciation and intonation in the audiobook can be particularly beneficial. It helps them grasp the language nuances better.
• Increased engagement: Sometimes, a well-produced audiobook with sound effects, music, or multiple narrators can make the story come alive. Coupling that with the visual stimulus of reading books can be incredibly immersive.
• Reduces strain: For those who may experience eye strain from extensive reading, the audiobook can take over when they need a break, ensuring a continuous experience without the discomfort.

Incorporating both reading books and listening to audiobooks into one's routine can open up a world of benefits, enhancing the joy and efficacy of the learning process.

How to read and listen to Audible at the same time

If you want to experience the many benefits of read along audiobooks, you have some options. There are a few different ways to read and listen to Audible at the same time.

Option 1: Audible immersion reading

Audible has a feature called immersion reading. This function allows Audible audiobook listeners to read along using either a Kindle app or dedicated Kindle e-readers. Furthermore, immersion reading will enable you to highlight portions of the text in real-time as you listen to the book.

Although this feature is quite useful, you should understand several facts about it to know what to expect from Audible immersion reading.

First, immersion reading isn’t the same as Whispersync for Voice. The former lets you read an e-book and listen to the audiobook version simultaneously, while the latter syncs the two formats. In other words, Whispersync for Voice allows you to read on your Kindle e-book reader and pick up where you left off with the audiobook version of the same title. It’s also worth mentioning that not all devices that feature Whispersync for Voice support immersion reading.

Second, only specific titles will be available for reading and listening at the same time. If you have a particular audiobook you want to follow with the text, it might be impossible to use immersion reading for that title.

Third, immersion reading is possible only on iOS and Android apps and select devices—2nd-gen or higher Kindle Fire tablets. You won’t be able to use the feature, for instance, on Kindle Paperwhite.

Option 2: Audible Narration for Kindle books

Audible Narration works similarly to immersion reading but functions the other way around. This feature downloads the Audible audiobook of the same title you’re reading on Kindle. You won’t need the Audible app to use Audible Narration.

As with immersion reading, Audible Narration isn’t available for every title. Instead, you’ll see whether a particular e-book has an accompanying Kindle audiobook while browsing the Kindle library. If a companion audiobook exists, it will be indicated by a headphones icon.

When you choose to purchase the audiobook, you’ll have the option to pay cash instead of using Audible credits. These offers can often be a better value than buying an e-book and audiobook separately.

If you already have e-books without Audible Narration, you can check if audiobooks for the titles you own have become available. To do so, use the Scan My Library option on your Amazon account.

Additionally, you can access many audiobooks through a subscription to Kindle Unlimited with narration.

Option 3: Read a book and listen to an audiobook on your own

If you already have a physical copy of a book and don’t want to buy an e-book version, you can simply buy the audiobook version and listen along as you read. However, be sure that the audiobook version you’re getting matches the correct edition of your physical book. Different editions can contain different versions of the same text depending on the date of publication, additional text for special editions, or different translations for works originally written in another language.

Speechify Audiobooks—A better audiobook listening experience than Audible

If you want to experience thousands of good to great audiobooks, we recommend Speechify Audiobooks. This service is more than worth it if you want to read audiobooks for a more affordable price compared to Audible. There are thousands of amazing titles, ranging from classics like The Hobbit to popular memoirs like I’m Glad My Mom Died and beyond. You can either purchase the books individually or get a great deal on a monthly subscription. Simply choose your audiobook and listen to it anywhere on mobile or desktop devices.

Get one free audiobook when you sign up for Speechify Audiobooks today.

FAQ

Can you read along with Audible on iPhone?

You can read along with Audible on your iPhone if you have the Kindle app. In that case, you can use the immersion reading option to follow the ebook in question, although this feature may require subscribing to an ebook service like Kindle Unlimited.

Can you multitask while listening to audiobooks?

Multitasking is one of the advantages of listening to audiobooks. Since you have your hands free and don’t need to follow the text, you can do various tasks like house chores while listening to an audiobook. Of course, this will prevent you from listening and reading at the same time.

Can you read while listening to a different audiobook?

While reading one book and listening to another is technically possible, you likely won’t be able to devote enough attention to either title. At best, it will be possible to focus on both books for a limited period. This practice isn’t recommended as it will be counterproductive and probably end up wasting your time.