Listen or read? Here's the surprising truth about learning

Have you ever felt guilty about choosing audiobooks over traditional reading? I used to question this too.

Turns out that it's not about whether our eyes or ears do the work. Instead, I found that the real power lies in what happens after we take in the information - similar to so many other places where we deal with information and learning…

Let’s look at the details and what supports this - coming from someone that used to solely read books, I was happy with what I found out!

The Learning Myth

Remember sitting in lectures, absorbing information through listening? I realized that we've been learning through audio our entire lives - from classroom lectures to radio programs and podcasts.

This got me thinking about how we process information. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that "real" learning only happens when we're looking at words on a page. But a ton of research shows this isn't true at all.

The human brain is remarkably adaptable when it comes to absorbing information. I've found that what really matters isn't whether we're using our eyes or ears. It's about what happens in our minds during and after we take in the information.

Consider how many conversations you remember well, or how easily you can recall the details of a podcast you enjoyed. This natural ability to learn through listening isn't just coincidence - it's built into how our brains work.

But here's the important part: simply listening passively (or reading passively, for that matter) isn't enough for deep learning.

This Week’s Favorite

Unlock Your Learning

The secret to effective learning isn't in choosing between audiobooks or physical books.

It's all about active engagement with the material, regardless of the format.

Here's what I do to improve my learning from any source.

First, I keep a small notebook handy to scribble down key ideas that strike me as important. These aren't formal notes - sometimes they're just quick thoughts on a scrap of paper or in my phone.

I've found that summarizing chapters or sections in my own words makes a huge difference. When I write a quick summary, even just a sentence or two, it forces my brain to process the information more deeply and serves as a first review.

Another powerful technique straight out of “How To Read A Book” is asking questions about what I'm reading. Challenge the author's assumptions and write down your own questions.

Later, you can research these questions, which helps connect new information to what is already known.

The most effective approach I've discovered is using multiple methods to interact with the material.

Sometimes I draw simple diagrams to explain concepts.

Other times, I discuss key points with friends or write brief reviews.

Each different way I engage with the material strengthens my understanding.

Turns out there's solid science behind these techniques. I've found that mixing these traditional methods with modern tools creates the perfect learning environment.

Extra Extra

• A detailed research paper examining how different formats (audiobook, e-text, or both) affect content retention (check out the abstract if you’re in a hurry).
  

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