Audiobooks: Accessible and Enjoyable for All Readers
As a young child, I owned several Disney Read with Me books that came with a cassette tape to play as I read the book. It was my first introduction to the audiobook format. I loved seeing the story come to life in my imagination with the dynamic recording. There were voice actors and music, an immersive experience for the reader.
Other than my Disney Read with Me books, I didn’t own any audiobooks due to their price. Audiobooks were costly and consisted of several cassettes. If one cassette was lost, the book felt incomplete. Whole chapters would be missing, and the experience was ruined. CD storage was easier, but still costly.
As a visually impaired woman with a love for reading, I am thrilled with the accessibility of audiobooks. Thanks to innovations in technology, I can find popular titles and store them on my phone for easy use. I’m a huge advocate of the audiobook format, not only for those with visual impairments like me. Audiobooks can open a world of possibilities for many people interested in reading.
I was excited to learn that the Audio Publishers Association (APA) made June Audiobook Appreciation Month. According to APA, the month aims to celebrate the joy, accessibility, and growth of the audiobook format as well as promote the educational, entertainment, and inclusive value it brings.
A Brief History of Audiobooks
Did you know Thomas Edison invented audiobooks—kind of?
According to this article from National Today, when Edison invented the phonograph, he wanted to record books for people with visual impairments. Edison hoped the invention would bring enjoyment to the visually impaired reader. One of the first “audiobooks” was a verse from a Dickinson poem. Unfortunately, the phonograph couldn’t hold more than 15 minutes per side, making it costly and impractical for the recording of longer chapter books.
With the invention of the 60-minute cassette tape in the 1970s, audiobook production could increase to include longer books. The real boom occurred with the invention of CDs, allowing for more storage space and easier packaging than cassette tapes.
The format has seen a boost in popularity since the ease of use has increased. Over 51% of U.S. adults (18+) have read an audiobook in their lives at least once. Several people engage with audiobooks on their morning commutes, while performing daily chores, on long plane rides, and while taking long leisurely walks. An audiobook allows listeners to complete a book quicker since they can multitask, increasing readership among adults.
Several audiobooks are purchased through subscription services such as Audible and Spotify Premium, as well as retail bookstores. Audiobooks are more expensive than other formats, according to this article comparing various book formats. Audiobook production can be costly, consisting of hiring a narrator, securing studio space, and employing engineers to produce and edit the mix.
Libraries are a major resource for avid audiobook listeners. Over 40% of the audience receives audiobooks from their public library system, according to the previously linked article from National Today. Apps like Hoopla and Libby provide hubs for readers to find favorites, borrow audiobooks, and return them all from the comfort of their homes. This makes audiobooks more affordable than ever, granting anyone with a library card access to the digital library.
Studies show lower-income families have traditionally had less access to the audiobook format; however, with the rise in digital content, readers from all backgrounds can access materials. Digital libraries are essential for equality among readers of all formats.
Audiobooks as a Helpful Resource
Some critics from the literacy community question the legitimacy of the audiobook format, claiming it isn’t truly reading or a “cheat.” Nothing could be further from the truth, as studies have shown audiobooks stimulate the same areas of the brain as reading a book does. The reader is engaging with comprehension, imagination, and vocabulary; they are simply processing it differently.
Audiobooks are helpful resources for students facing barriers to reading. According to the article “The Benefits of audiobooks for All Readers”, the format provides a way to introduce the student to vocabulary words and more complicated sentence structures, allowing the reader to become familiar with new words over time. Audiobooks also enhance the ability to imagine the story in one’s mind, a skill that increases reading comprehension.
The article notes how today’s students are bombarded with visuals. Entertainment options like video games, social media, and movies easily provide an image for younger readers, but they are not as comfortable with visualizing a picture based on words alone. Audiobooks aid the reader in making a mental image, which helps the student understand the scene.
When a student engages with more books, they become familiar with more words. The article goes on to point out that studies have shown reading 20 minutes a day is effective and has a positive impact on vocabulary. Audiobooks enable students to read more frequently.
Several students benefit from audiobooks: those with reading comprehension struggles, students with learning disabilities, English language learners, and visually impaired students. Audiobooks promote equality in the classroom, making all students feel comfortable engaging in the classroom’s reading conversation.
How Readeezy Implements Audio in Our Books
Readeezy aims to provide inclusive access for middle and high school readers. Every book in our digital library features a text-to-speech function, allowing the reader to listen to the book while following along with the text. As stated above, the audio feature enhances the reading experience for several types of readers. The addition of illustrations on every page helps students form a vivid image of the story, assisting them in comprehension and vocabulary skills.
We are passionate about providing this format with our stories to engage readers where they are. Readeezy hopes to spark a love of reading in middle and high school students. These years are crucial for developing a lifelong interest in reading, and we implement various educational strategies to fit various accessibility needs.
As a blind reader, I am thankful for the advancements in technology that make audiobook accessibility a reality for all readers.
Join us at Readeezy in celebrating Audiobook Appreciation Month and all the joy this inclusive format brings!