The rise of technology and the increasing amount of time spent on digital platforms has slowly but indeed started to affect our daily lives in more ways than one.
Take, for example, the average attention span of a human being. As per studies, the human attention span has been declining slowly, and while it was 12 seconds in 2000, it has dropped to just 8 seconds in 2022.
To put things in perspective, it is lower than that of a goldfish (9 seconds) and has a lot to do with the constant barrage of information we get through our smartwatches, smartphones, television, and other devices.
Having said that, audio files can potentially improve your study sessions and make them more effective. They can be used in various ways, from focusing on complex concepts to providing a break from studying.
Sound has the ability to help students understand and withhold more information than they may just with a cursory reading of any information. Audio files greatly contribute to students’ learning by concentrating on creativity and thoughts rather than writing or remembering.
A study published by the University of Waterloo found that you are more likely to remember something that you read aloud, and the dual action of speaking and hearing, dubbed the ‘production effect,’ is extremely beneficial when studying.
An audio file or the best text to speech tool can help you mimic this effect, converting textual content into an audio file, which you can easily listen to when commuting while performing chores and revising your lessons.
If you struggle with a difficult concept, an audio file might be what you need for a break from studying. To understand the benefits of using audio files for your study sessions, this article explores the six unique ways audio files help you learn better and more effectively:
1. Improves Retention Thanks to Your Auditory Memory
Auditory memory is the ability to remember information by hearing it rather than reading it.
When studying for tests and exams, auditory memory is extremely helpful. You can recall the information much easier by listening to audio files while studying.
If you have trouble remembering things, try listening to audio files while doing homework.
2. Audio Files Help Your Eyes Relax
Students in the digital era do not just use books for their learning; many other digital mediums, from iPads, smartphones, laptops, and other screens, are part of their study routine.
Some who may also be working a part-time or full-time job already spend more than seven hours a day in front of a digital screen, which can take a toll on our eyes.
Studies have even found that increased screen time among adults and students leads to long-term vision problems like nearsightedness, blurred vision, eye strain, and more.
Plus, the constant exposure to blue light that emits from these screens impacts our circadian rhythm, thus making it difficult for our minds to relax and fall asleep.
Audio files and listening to the audio of the lessons allow our eyes and mind to get some breathing space, and help us to put down the phone, laptop, or other devices. This enables you to fall asleep quicker, relax your eyes, and makes learning less hectic and stressful.
3. Audio Files Make Visualization Easier
Visualization is the process of mentally seeing something before actually experiencing it. When you visualize something, it helps you understand it better.
Listening to an audio file makes visualization much simpler than reading and imagining it, making your learning a lot more vivid and impactful.
Plus, you can even close your eyes and listen to the sound of the audio file to make learning more exciting and help you imagine the descriptions in greater detail.
4. Helps You Stay Focused for Longer
Staying focused while studying is a big task, and reading long passages or pages can feel redundant and boring. This leads to the mind being easily distracted, and even the smallest of sounds or distractions can break your entire focus from your studies.
Audio files make it easy for students to practice chunking. Chunking is the practice of breaking down long pieces of information into smaller chunks.
By chunking, you can easily remember the information, and it also helps you stay focused on what you are studying. Your audio files can be paused, replayed, and broken down as per topic, making it easy to consume this information.
5. Improves Pronunciation and Vocabulary
Audio files enhance your pronunciation skills, especially when new to the language or a subject. Audio files can be paused as per your needs, making it easy for students to pause them when needed and start listening again once the distraction has passed.
Also, using headphones while listening to audio files and reading them along with the audio from your screens will make you more involved, thus eliminating distractions.
What’s more, any voice changer or the best text to speech tool also lets you view the audio’s contents on your computer screen, which can help you keep pace with the audio and improve retention.
6. Stream Your Study Material to Listen on the Go
It is easy for students to convert the study material, i.e., streaming your lessons to an audio version. However, every student has a busy schedule and an active social life, wherein studying in a class or at home is not always feasible.
Moreover, carrying all your study material everywhere you travel or go is impossible. Plus, having the book in front of you is not always feasible, and reading for a long duration can often lead to a lack of focus.
Many companies provide the best text to speech facilities, where you can stream your study material to hear an audio version of it instantly or download an MP3 file to access whenever you want.
This feature can also help the students multitask and listen to the audio while on a bus, walking, performing daily chores, or revising.
Conclusion
Audio files do not just help you listen to your study materials in audio format; they mimic an essential part of your communication called subvocalization.
Subvocalization is the act of speaking silently to yourself. When you subvocalize, you repeat the words you’re learning out loud to yourself. This helps you memorize the information faster.
Using audio files can help you study more effectively, as you can learn anywhere and anytime. That’s a big win for students everywhere!