Audiobook Club!

“Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high. Take a look, it’s in a book, a Reading Rainbow!”

Television shows like Reading Rainbow and Wishbone were such an inspiring show for myself when I was younger. For me they were a dream and gave me so much joy. As a child it was extremely difficult to learn to read. I never understood how my friends and classmates could read the chapters of the textbook so quickly or pick up a book and simply read. I could never do that unless I was really interested in the book and only if I was mentally prepared to force myself through it. I struggled through elementary, middle school, high school, my bachelor’s degree, and Doctorate degree. Instead of reading the books, textbooks, or articles, I was hyper vigilant with paying close attention in the clinics I was assigned to and asking more questions. I was an A-B and sometimes C student. I am a horrible test taker, and my grades were significantly affected if my grade was primarily from test scores verses projects or papers. If I had more time and more resources not related to reading, I excelled. This blog is a good example of this, I have the time to process my thoughts and the chance to edit as I go with no pressure.

   At the age of 30 I was diagnosed with dyslexia, and I am suspicious that I am autistic. I always knew my brain was different but with the diagnosis of dyslexia, I am now able to accept and appreciate myself more. I have access to resources in the written world that were not originally available. I was passed along through the system because I was doing “good enough.” I also give credit to my brilliant siblings who several were valedictorians of their high school classes. Having 5 siblings that are so classically smart helped to mask my struggle more. I do not blame anyone for not seeing how hard the school system was for me. I am the person I am today with my persistence. In saying that, I do not wish to have any person to struggle as hard as I did to get the education I wanted. 

    Books are the easiest way to knowledge and that was a resource that was so difficult for me. I don’t know how many times people have told me, “here read this book” or “just read this and you’ll know.” Something that should be so simple to do was always a battle and, unfortunately, an insult. For me to read any book I must put forth so much effort. One resource I fell in love with were audiobooks. I wish I had tried audiobooks sooner or was diagnosed as a child so I could have my textbooks in audiobook format. 

   It is common knowledge that keeping your brain active with books or puzzles is a great way to keep your brain active. My intention with this blog is to help encourage people to read in all methods. Reading and language open the mind to so much more of the world. As a dyslexic Audiologist who wears hearing aids daily, this is a wonderful way to have aural rehabilitation together with the spoken words of books. We as Audiologists encourage all hearing loss patients to listen and use your brain to learn how to hear again with amplification. It is well known that the temporal lobe in your brain is devoted to hearing, memory, speech, language, and learning. Audiobooks can be a great resource to help keep your temporal lobe healthy and happy. If you don’t like to listen, I encourage you to read these books with me. I am planning to have one book a month and post my thoughts about the books we read. I am happy to take recommendations and have a variety of books for all interests. 

  Email me at craz@speechhearingtherapy.com to join the weekly emails regarding any updates. If you can’t afford to purchase the audiobooks or are not able to get them through, your public library let me know. There are other resources you may qualify for. 

By: Dr. Carrie Raz, AuD, CCC-A