Audio books, sounds like an interesting concept to me? Audio books are basically recorded words. They are an audio version of commercially printed matter. The concept is not a completely new one but has become more popular off late. Spoken audio was available earlier in schools, public libraries and even in music shops but to a very small extent. It was only after 1980’s that audio books were seen on the same retail shelves as normal books. Retailers stopped using separate displays for audio books.
Audio books are available in the form of cassettes, CD’s, digital downloadable formats like MP3, MP4, Windows Media Audio and advanced audio coding. Amongst the above CD is the most popular form. The digital downloadable versions are gaining popularity at a quick pace. With access to computers increasing, more and more downloads are being done. Sometimes audio book format is available simultaneously with book publication.
Audio books can be abridged or unabridged. Abridged are those where text content has been removed by the abridger where as unabridged are word for word of the text matter. Abridged ones are criticized for being incomplete versions of the original. At times audio books come as fully dramatized version of the printed books with a complete cast, music and sound effects.
CD’s and cassettes are more expensive than a printed book because of the recording cost involved and thus have a lesser market penetration. Downloadable content is less expensive as compared to hardbacks and with increasing use of computers its penetration in the market is high but the overall use of audio books is less as compared to audio books. In the long run though Digital content will have an edge over printed books because the cost involved is less, no storage problems and also no packaging and transportation problem In order to combat this fast growing concept of audio books, publishers have started providing this as an auxiliary service along with the printed texts.
Audio books are of maximum use to the blind. They provide the opportunity to learn a lot of things which they would otherwise find difficult. Audio books can be a great learning tool because of their format as compared to a video programme or a printed book. In case of an audio book one can easily multitask and thus it saves a lot of time. One can listen and learn while performing their daily household chores, while driving and exercising. It can be used as an alternative to listening to radio while travelling.
With audio books it is also possible to replay the content again and again to understand the content better. Also one can listen to the audio book and read the printed version simultaneously which will help one follow the content better and make learning easy. This technique can be useful for learning a new language. Biggest advantage of using audio books is that it improves the listening skills of an individual and thus help one become a better person.
