Do audiobooks count as reading?

Featured in

    Do audiobooks count as reading? Let’s solve this mystery by highlighting the differences between these two formats.

    Do audiobooks count as reading?

    Listening to audiobooks may have become one of your favorite activities. Even though they’re not the same as the written word, they enable you to absorb the content in a unique way.

    However, one question remains – does listening to an audiobook count as reading? Let’s get to the bottom of this question and explore why some consider listening to audiobooks a form of reading while others don’t.

    The case for audiobooks counting as reading

    There are significant differences between audiobooks on Audible and their written counterparts. Still, many audiobook listeners and other professionals believe audiobooks are a form of reading. Here are their arguments:

    You experience the entire book

    Audiobooks and physical copies don’t provide the same experiences. But while the experiences are different, you still absorb the same content. 

    In fact, you’re less likely to put down an audiobook because many believe it’s more immersive than its written counterpart. Many engaging narrations and well-read titles grip your attention from the get-go.

    Some platforms, like Speechify and Amazon’s Goodreads, also allow you to customize the rate and tone of speech. It makes for a more enjoyable session so that you can experience the book in a more convenient format.

    Audiobooks can teach language and punctuation skills

    Another reason people consider audiobooks a type of reading is that they can teach you language and punctuation skills.

    For instance, suppose you’re a dyslexic person or suffering from other disabilities. You may have trouble decoding the written word, leading to lower reading comprehension.

    A good book in an audio format can solve the problem. Some apps display the text on your screen while narrating the content to help you match sounds to their corresponding letters. Over time, this can help enhance your language skills and let you overcome reading challenges.

    Listening requires the same amount of attention as reading

    Understanding an audiobook requires the same focus as comprehending physical books. You must still listen to your content word-for-word to make out the narrative. Even if you fail to hear a few sentences, you might not understand the entire book.

    Audiobooks and reading stimulate the same parts of the brain

    There are more similarities between podcasts or audiobooks and printed books. One of them is that they activate the same regions of the brain.

    More specifically, both activities target the areas of the brain that are responsible for language processing. If you’re an avid reader or learner who needs to complete a book project, you can expect about the same retention from both mediums.

    You still form sentences and imagery in your head when listening

    Digesting stories works differently with audiobooks. Nonetheless, you use similar skills to understand the content. You form sentences inside your head to create images of the narrative. The only difference is that it comes from another medium.

    Studies show there is no difference in comprehension

    You may stick to physical sci-fi books from your reading list because you’re not used to the spoken word. Furthermore, you might think you won’t comprehend the matter to the same extent as with physical copies. The reality is entirely the opposite.

    If listening to audiobooks for leisure, the amount of content you can understand typically overlaps with retention gained through reading. The reading time might be lower than the time it takes to comprehend a book through listening, but the effects are pretty much the same.

    In fact, you might even understand the audio content if physical copies require multiple re-readings.

    The case against audiobooks counting as reading

    Few traditional book lovers think audiobooks are the same as reading. They use several arguments to support their case.

    You don’t have to use your reading skillset with audiobooks

    You don’t have to worry about making out individual words or phrases when listening to an audiobook. Therefore, you can enjoy the content, even with impaired reading skills. That’s why some bookworms consider the audio version a form of “cheating.”

    Some argue that listening defeats the purpose of physically reading

    You may want to read a great book for many reasons. For instance, you might want to help prevent cognitive decline, improve emotional intelligence, and enhance your brain connectivity. All of which are fundamental purposes of physical reading.

    Critics of audiobooks use this argument to differentiate the spoken word from the written word. As you don’t have to use the same skills as with reading, you’re defeating the purpose of the traditional reading experience.

    Audiobooks don’t require the act of decoding

    You rely on two major processes to understand books when reading a new book featured on social media platforms and in book clubs – language processing and decoding. The latter involves comprehending the written word.

    Since audiobooks include no decoding, many individuals don’t consider them a form of reading.

    Enjoy audiobooks with Speechify

    Even though you can argue against audiobooks counting as reading, the arguments for them are more compelling. Hence, there’s no reason you shouldn’t consume your favorite books in this format.

    The only problem is choosing the right platform, but there’s an intuitive and highly effective solution – Speechify audiobooks. There are thousands of fascinating titles on Speechify, such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Dune, Atonement, and The Alchemist.

    You can even listen to them while working out or folding laundry, making Speechify ideal for multitasking. Check out this cutting-edge platform today, and get your first Speechify audiobook for free.

    FAQ

    Do audiobooks work as well for memory as reading?

    Yes. Audiobooks can work just as well as physical books in terms of memorizing content.

    Do audiobooks count toward reading goals?

    Audiobooks can help you achieve the same goals as reading physical books. You can experience the same content you would while reading physical copies but in a much more convenient format.

    Can audiobooks replace reading?

    Audiobooks can replace reading if you have a learning disability that keeps you from understanding the written word.

    Can I say I read a book if I listened to it?

    Absolutely. Many studies indicate that reading and listening have the same effects, so you can confidently say you’ve read a book if you’ve only listened to it.

    Is it okay to listen to an audiobook instead of reading it?

    Yes. Many people prefer listening to audiobooks instead of reading them.

    Do I have to read the whole book in order to say I read it?

    In most cases, you don’t have to read the whole book, but you should if you want to avoid missing key points.

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

    Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify

    Recent Blogs

    • Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Arrow
    • Voice changer for Discord
      Voice changer for Discord
      Arrow
    • How to download YouTube audio
      How to download YouTube audio
      Arrow
    • Speechify 3.0 Released.
      Speechify 3.0 is the Best Text to Speech App Yet.
      Arrow
    • Voice API
      Voice API: Everything You Need to Know
      Arrow
    • Text to audio
      Best text to speech generator apps
      Arrow
    • The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      Arrow
    • Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Arrow
    • Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Everything to Know About Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Arrow
    • Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Arrow
    • How to listen to scientific papers
      How to listen to scientific papers
      Arrow
    • How to add music to CapCut
      How to add music to CapCut
      Arrow
    • What is CapCut?
      What is CapCut?
      Arrow
    • VEED vs. InVideo
      VEED vs. InVideo
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Arrow
    • Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Hour One
      HeyGen vs. Hour One
      Arrow
    • Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • What is Speech AI: Explained
      What is Speech AI: Explained
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The Best Celebrity Voice Generators in 2024
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      YouTube Text to Speech: Elevating Your Video Content with Speechify
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 7 best alternatives to Synthesia.io
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Everything you need to know about text to speech on TikTok
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 10 best text-to-speech apps for Android
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to convert a PDF to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top girl voice changers
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use Siri text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Obama text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Robot Voice Generators: The Futuristic Frontier of Audio Creation
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Read Aloud: Free & Paid Options
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Alternatives to FakeYou text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      All About Deepfake Voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      TikTok voice generator
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech GoAnimate
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The best celebrity text to speech voice generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Audio Reader
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to get text to speech Indian voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Elevating Your Anime Experience with Anime Voice Generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best text to speech online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 50 movies based on books you should read
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Download audio
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use text-to-speech for Quandale Dingle meme sounds
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 5 apps that read out text
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top female text to speech voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Female voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Sonic text to speech voice generator online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best AI voice generators – The Ultimate List
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech in Powerpoint
      Arrow
    footer-waves