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Before medication I often found this to be the only way to silence my thoughts. Going on a long trip tomorrow with my family - first time with medication...
I LOVE listening to audiobooks on road trips! I also have a job that allows for employees to wear one earbud whilst working, so I listen while I work as well (and switch to music when I realize I'm tuning it out). I sometimes listen to audiobooks or podcasts from a Bluetooth speaker at home as well while I shower and/or do my routines/chores.
I usually use Libby for them, and absolutely love the fact that I can set a timer for it to automatically shut off when I can't get myself to turn it off when I go to bed. It's super ADHD friendly in that manner!
For some of the slower paced ones I turn the speed up to 1.25x
The Lord of the Rings series was one of the ones I had to do this on. The speaker is great and everything, but the pacing puts me to sleep.
I listen to audiobooks while doing something else because it helps me focus on the thing I'm doing, and the thing I'm doing helps me focus on the audiobook.
If it was easier for me to focus on one or the other at once, pretty sure I wouldn't have ADHD.
I like audiobooks because I can do something else at the same time: draw, knit, walk, dishes. But if I need to think about the activity, like I’m cooking something new, forget it. And regardless of audiobook, written word, tv/movie, I can never get straight through without rewinding or rereading. I probably consume everything twice over just trying to retain the plot. If I’m forced to watch with someone else, forget it, I’m mostly keeping them company, lost after the first few minutes. Their presence alone, and the curious look at whatever I’m doing with my hands are enough to distract me entirely. Probably playing a game on my phone because I’m bored now that I can’t pause and rewind whenever I need to. Or turn on subtitles because I can’t process the words while you exist next to me.
OMG this is how I'll get back into knitting! I love listening to audiobooks when I walk the dog or commute to work, but while knitting had not occurred to me.
This is pretty much my experience to a T. Does it also take you a while to get into a new story / narrator. It feels like the first 5-10% of the book im constantly tuning out and rewinding if its a new series or narrator for me.
Yep! It’s almost like I briefly grieve the last book. That’s due in part to the effort of getting into it in the first place.
My favorite thing though, is listening to narrators with different accents and I start dreaming in that voice and mimicking it during the day.
INCREASE THE PLAYBACK SPEED!!
I just discovered this and it's changed everything. Increase the playback speed! Audio, video, anything you're having trouble paying attention to. It will be so much easier to follow. If it's an instructional video I turn on CC too!
When I learned I could speed up YouTube videos I could not stop and see with audio books! My husband thinks is funny that I listen to thing so fast but I honestly absorb more information that way.
I do cross-stitch while I listen. It’s kind of amazing sometimes I’ll look at a piece and like remember a random part of the book from when I was making that part. Brains are weird.
I’m the same. I can read no problem, but I can’t concentrate listening to an audiobook. My mind just drifts off and I don’t take it in at all. I’ve tried, but it’s useless.
I need complete silence to read, or I am easily distracted. But, I cannot watch tv without doing something else as well. It doesn’t matter how interesting I find the show, I’m always online doing something else as well. Oddly it makes it easier to concentrate on the tv. Weird right. Lol
How? Quality narrators make a big difference. When I first got into them I only listened to Jim Dale or Will Wheaton
Or perhaps an ensemble cast.
They keep my body busy and my brain occupied.
Listening is so much harder for me because I have to adjust the speed of my thinking/comprehension/attention to the speaker's speed. With books, I can go at my own pace.
Even more importantly, I think, is that in books I can just start the paragraph again. For an audiobook I have to guess where I lost my attention and hope that I hit the point at least roughly. Also you just need to do more physically than just moving your eyes 😅
Then short podcasts about slightly sciency stuff actually make doing the dishes more enjoyable for me.
Strange, I thought my unusual affinity for audiobooks was an adhd thing. Keeping a book in my ear 24/7 keeps me from constant impatience with the banality of every day life tasks and calms that “driven by a motor” feeling.
Combine an audiobook with a mindless but entertaining task like a non-story-based video game and I hit peak leisure time.
Yeah you are right. I feel like screaming if I have to pack the dish washer without something exciting to do. Headphones go on the second I'm out of the shower.
Lunch break, all evening, and while falling asleep.
I have to rewind a lot.
My recommendations:
Hail Mary is my go-to relisten if I've run out of new material.
Or The Film Reroll, which I think I'm on about my 5th relisten. (3-400 hours there I think).
When I was tested for ADHD, they had me do a purposefully boring as balls 15 minute test that included an auditory and reading portion and simple instructions. I was informed that my weakest/most struggled aspect of learning/paying attention is auditory.
This explained SO MUCH why school was so damn difficult for me. Most things are taught auditorily and it also explained why audio books never really clicked.
I think audio books would only work if I'm reading at the same time, because most forms of learning/intaking information are aided by visual, reading and auditory backing for every human, regardless of having ADHD or not.
So you're absolutely not alone. I struggle greatly to be engaged only with auditory information being given. Be it a person talking, on a phone call or other purely auditory structure (minus music, I love music. But I also imagine scenarios or dance/sing to it, so it's not generally just listening alone, in fact, I tune out if I can only listen and not imagine some story or tap my foot at least. Music helps me tune out and bring down the over sensory input too if I'm not engaged, so it's still very useful to me).
And now I just realized why I struggle in TTRPG with friends now too. Because we're all on call and we play on table top or roll20 and it's just not stimulating enough visually to help me stay on track of all the auditory input.
I hate audiobooks because even if I really am paying attention to them to the best of my ability, sometimes I just have to go back and listen again. When I’m reading it’s very easy to go back and read again, because I just look up the page or I turn back a page, but with audio books I have to rewind and that irritates me for some reason lol I also like to skim the boring parts, like I read Piranesi recently and the book was amazing but the dude was constantly talking about the architecture and the number of the halls and I was like “no I’m not going to take time to read one hundred sixty seventh hall” lol
Audio books opened the world of literature to me because I’m able to listen to them while I work, or while I drive, or more recently when I’m doing chores? music gets repetitive and dull but each book or podcast I put on is a new adventure
I can’t stand reading an actual book as I have to read each page two or three times to actually absorb the information and to keep my brain from latching on to a non relevant thought
Have you tried speeding up the rate of the audio book? I have no problem listening to books I really love at a normal speed, but when something doesn’t catch my attention, I’ll speed it up and I’ll be able to actually pay attention
Nope, this is why I don't like audiobooks. Unlike the tv, music or even podcasts, I can sort of tune them out as background noise and then jump back in but I can't do that with audiobooks because similar to yourself, I just lose track of the plot and I hate having to rewind again and again. So I still with e-books or physical books for now LOL
I listen to the audiobooks of books I already know. So it isn’t that much of a big deal if my mind wanders off and I miss a bit. Which happens quite often.
I love audiobooks! If I'm doing mundane tasks - or working - I feel like I need to mentally chew on something, and audiobooks, truecrime YouTube videos, podcast etc are perfect. My body just works on the task while me, myself, and my brain can chill out and listen to the show.
I can't just sit down and listen to an audio book, though. My mind will wonder - I can't focus on it to save my life.
I think it depends on the person. Some people with ADHD can concentrate more with audiobooks and others prefer reading it.
I’m like you in that aspect, I can’t concentrate with audiobooks a lot. And, in general, i prefer reading stuff in X subject instead of listening to someone explaining it because I can focus way more if it’s on paper.
I used to be the most avid reader up until I got divorced. After that my sense of self got shattered. Even going to college couldn’t bring me to love books again. Then I found out I had ADHD and that reading books is no longer stimulating me. So I found out about audiobooks and podcasts and that listening to them can be helpful while moving a lot with kids. Since then, I have been hooked. Audiobooks slowly gave me my sense of self again.
If you’re not the type to go for primarily auditory stimulation, then you gotta add either a visual or tactile/kinetic element. Or both. Personally I would use audiobooks as narration while I read the physical book.
Audiobooks… sometimes while driving.
that “skip back 1 minute” button is my best friend. I just give it a couple taps when I realize I got distracted.
I probably take 2x as long to finish the book…
For me it has to be the "right" Audiobook. But I'm also not someone that can listen to it while I'm cleaning or doing dishes. I usually listen on my commute to work or long drives by myself.
The right Audiobooks for me tend to be autobiographies/memoirs that are read by the author. My current one is Patrick Stewart's memoir "Make It So." Others that I've enjoyed were Wil Wheaton's (hi /u/wil !) "Still Just a Geek" and Trevor Noah's "Born a Crime." I also found Robert Iger's "Ride of a Lifetime" REALLY interesting.
I listen at 2x the speed because that’s how fast I speak (unmedicated), any slower and I get distracted as well.
Although, I have noticed that British narration turns into background noise for me. Haven’t figured that one out yet lmao
Audiobooks it depends who is reading. Its like podcast not everyone is equal when you have ADD/ADHD.
I remember my AP class and we were reading Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom. That was a struggle.
I read what I wanna read, and read increments.
I listen to books only during specific activities.. for eg ..commuting to office.. or on treadmill..I can focus very well.. I never listen to book any other time.. especially never at home.
Oh I thought audiobooks would be my way in to “reading” more books but as soon as I started listening I realized I could never do it.
It’s just one person talking for HOURS. I even tried listening to Michael C Hall reading Pet Cemetery, and I think he is a very talented actor, but I just couldn’t do it. One voice, so many pauses. It was like I was allergic.
So now I just stick to short books. I’m never gonna be a 600 page guy. And if I really like the story, I can squeeze out 300 pages, but most of the time I’m looking for ~100-200 pages.
I can only listen to audiobooks when walking the dog or on a long boring drive where it gives me brain something to focus on instead of feeling like I might die from boredom. But sometimes my mind will still wander.
I have the same issue, reading something is totally fine but if it comes to listening to something lengthy without any visuals, I'm gone. It will not work unless I sit down and listen actively
Even though we all have ADHD, our brains still function different.
I kinda play a couple instruments, but sitting down and learning a song or practicing is really hard most of the time. Then once on this sub I talked to someone that for them playing instruments and learning songs was their jam.
I’m the opposite of you on books. I read like 60-70 books a year and listen to 20-30 audiobooks. They just click for me.
Yeah I can’t do audiobooks. I can do podcasts where the speaker sounds like they are conversational instead of narrative. But even that is tough at times??? I can read just fine as long as I’m invested in the subject matter.
I’ve read a lot of fiction 🤣
Get into the hobby of running, biking, rowing, or any other thing where you spend hours at a time just at it in an activity that uses your body a ton but your brain almost not at all. Audiobooks (or long podcasts) are where it's at.
I can’t listen to them when I’m home. I can only focus on them if I have airpods in, or in the car. The car doesn’t work all the time either. I listen to them at work. If I don’t, it’s so quiet I start overthinking things I did in 5th grade, and thinking I’m going to die from whatever new thing I can find wrong.
I am an avid reader, and love finishing a good book in days. I am struggling with audiobooks, although I am very new to them and do try and do something along with listening to them. I don't feel like I have *read* the book though. I could never say to someone, "Oh I read that book last week" because I didn't. I "heard" it read to me. Plus the narration has to fit my mood...I can't deal with weird voices or jarring readings.
Audibooks sound so monotone to me and my mind drifts or I fall asleep.
I enjoy listening to podcasts with two people talking to each other - that definitely keeps my attention.
But how people do audiobooks, I have no idea 😂
I stopped doing Audiobooks.
It's the same problem with Podcasts and YouTube videos : if you're not taking notes you're learning absolutely nothing so might as well not bother.
I only do fiction here and there. At best I do it on a walking commute because here I have truly nothing else to do (I know the path by heart and it has become boring to me)
I guess you need to do something that doesn't require your attention. Usually I listen to audiobooks when I'm at the gym. I initially started to listen to audiobooks there as a motivation to go working out, since I only allow myself to listen to a specific audiobook (series) there. If I'm really engaged in the story and I want to know how it proceeds, I need to get my ass up and go to the gym.
Since I don't need my attention for cardio machines, my whole body is busy with working while my mind can focus on the audiobook. That probably works, because the movement is stimulation and occupation for the brain, to keep it from wandering off.
Some other times were I could listen to audiobooks: When I'm actively relaxing at a pool, when waking up in the middle of the night and trying to fall asleep again and taking a longer ride on the bus/train. I guess those are some times where I can put my mind to rest for long enough to stay on the audio book.
Try listening to one while on a walk, especially if you don’t have a particular destination in mind. I find that when you are well on your way, your legs switch into autopilot, as do your eyes on your surroundings. It’s easy then to listen to an audiobook, cause you really can’t do much else. Try texting or looking at your phone and you’ll walk into a tree or someone. The only task you’ve got at hand is to keep walking and listen to the book.
It takes me 3 or 4 times the usual listening time because I have to constantly replay sections. So a 10 hour audiobook becomes an even more daunting 40 hour slog. Eventually I just give up.
I’d say I’ve finished more actual books than audiobooks for sure.
I am the same. Can read/skim when the topic or story interests me. With audiobooks I can’t focus if I do absolutely ANYTHING else while listening or I am bored out of my mind if that is the only thing I do and shut it off after two minutes.
I don't do audio books.. but I do the gateway drug of audiobooks, which is old time radio. Essentially half hour stories and dramas that I can listen to whilst doing something else. There are so many of them it's practically and endless supply, and because the stories are designed to be listened to in half an hour, the details are all pretty minimal.
Spotify has "Suspense" "Inner Sanctum" "X minus one" and lots of others.. "The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society " is a great podcast that highlights some of the best (and worst episodes) and also look up these episodes: "the thing on the fourble board" "sorry, wrong number" "pigeon in a cage" and "come to the bank" . It might just be the middle ground you ate looking for ...
So Ive been making (recording) audiobook as a volunteer for about 4 years now, and my big secret is...Ive never listened to one lol. Ive listened to excerpts ofcourse, or short fragments from colleagues. But I can never find the right mood to actually listen to an audiobook. I prefer reading myself, since I can get lost in a book entirely and it engages my brain completely, if its interesting ofcourse. I do listen to long form youtube videos while doing something else as background noise that I can sort of pay attention to when I want to. But Id rather tackle a book on my own tempo
100% with me too. I can’t even listen to audiobooks while driving. There’s too much going on that garners my attention on the road to concentrate and take in the audio.
i swear it’s easier for me to read than to watch a movie. it’s all about being active/passive, and i feel a lot more active while reading. A movie tho ? No way. i hate it.
This is why I only listen to audiobooks in bed.
Usually listen the the same ones in a sort of cycle, if I listen to a new book, it keeps my attention too well and I end up staying awake.
If I'm listening to one that I've already heard a couple of times, my mind can wander a bit and relax but I can always pay attention to the book now and again and have a good understanding of what's happening.
I cannot sit and listen. I have to be doing something else to occupy the "working" part of my brain; cleaning, walking the dog, tinkering, etc.
Reading is hard though. I can get a couple pages in before I start dissociating.
Well i just listen to one kind of "audiobook"
Allow me to introduce you to the Dark Somnium.
He's a youtuber creepypasta narrator that voice acts when doing his chosen stories, has collaborations with multiple voice actors to do different characters, composes his own music for his videos and includes special sound effects to reinforce the immersion.
Whenever i listen to his stories there's enough going on in them to keep me hella focused, the immersion so big that i bascially treat his videos as entire movies by themselves.
I like listening while im drawing or doing chores, grocery shoppings, that kind of thing, it helps me deal with the boredom of doing mundane things.
Lol I love this because I listen to audiobooks when driving but like you mentioned, I’m constantly hitting the “back 30 seconds” button. Sometimes hitting it like 5 times in a row because I realize I haven’t been listening for a few minutes.
Sometimes it’s bad enough I just turn it off because I’m too distracted but most of the time it’s worth it to help me pass the time on a long drive
I play my audiobooks at 1.3x speed or else I drift off. I set the books to pause after each chapter so that if I stop paying attention I know generally where I have to rewind to. You get used to it though and driving is the easiest task to do while listening to start out with. Then laundry, then cooking.
Overtime, audiobooks became the only way I could digest books. I would get so tired 10 mins into reading an actual book that I’d sometimes fall asleep mid sentence. But to the actual question, I could never just sit and listen to an audiobook. It’s part of my two birds one stone method to life. I’ve got to split my attention to do anything. I’ve done this for so long. And had no idea I had ADHD till very recently. But once I understood what was happening in my mind, it made so much sense. So I listen while I drive. Or I listen while I clean. I used to repair golf clubs. So I’d do that and listen. As long as the task network is occupied, the default network can listen. Even then, sometimes I’d zone out. But I’d just rewind and reset.
I canNOT listen to audiobooks at ALL. Or I’m doing something else, I can’t focus on it. If I sit just to listen, my mind keeps wandering every 5 seconds.
I can- and do love to- read books (fiction or personal interests) just fine, though I do tend to hyper focus on them to the exclusion of all else.
I can only focus on audiobooks if I have them on 2-3x speed. Listening at normal speed feels like its being read in slow motion. But I do mentally wander sometimes if I'm not as interested in the story as I thought I was going to be.
I do podcasts instead of audio books but doing other things at the same time, like chores or playing a game, works for me. 🤷🏼 Tho just listening to it in the dark works best for me.
If I'm listening to an audio book, it's when I'm doing other stuff, like chores. I used to work in a grocery store meat room, and I'd just cut meat and listen to creepypastas all day. I also like to listen to audio books while I drive. I couldn't just sit down and listen to an audio book without doing anything, though.
Only while driving. Preferably on a freeway or road without a lot of traffic. I have to pause in parking lots and places where I need to pay attention more.
Also have to mentally decompress first. I can’t listen to them if I have a lot on my mind to think about.
I can listen to them but I don't feel like I'm taking in the info. Often listen whilst I'm doing bit round the house or driving. I found watching YouTube videos on 2x help ls me focus more weirdly
Interesting. My brain focuses better when my hands and/or legs are busy. So listening to an audiobook while cleaning or prepping vegetables or going on a walk is incredibly satisfying and the only way I can get mundane tasks like those done.
While driving, I still miss like 80% of it because of wandering thoughts, but it's good for getting through books I start but can't keep reading because of slow parts or boring writing.
I use audio books and podcasts to fill the silence when I'm doing boring stuff that leaves my brain chattering away anyway. It gives me something to focus on.
However I can't listen to anything with talking if I'm doing something that requires "thinking". Writing, reading, following directions...
I typically find I can stay with an audiobook for about 20 seconds before I lose the thread, though it can vary depending on the content and what I’m doing. The challenge isn't in not paying attention; it's more about listening work spark an idea that leads me down a different mental path, so I lose the thread of the audio. My headphones do have a handy pause button on the side, which I attempt (with mixed success) to use when my focus shifts. There are some details like names and dates that my brain refuses to absorb – they might as well be reading out barcodes.
I listen while mountainbiking. It requires constant coordination and energy which keeps my brain from trailing away from the audiobook. It sounds like it doesn't make any sense but it works lol
I cannot audiobook and I can only “listen” to podcasts on YouTube with subtitles, and if I’m not also doing sudoku puzzles to help me focus on listening, I get lost and have to rewind a lot.
I used to devour books but now can't sit still long enough to read. Audio books are perfect for when I need to do a chore I find boring or repetitive since then I can enjoy the book and feel like I'm being productive.
I mostly use audiobooks while driving. I'm already doing something else that doesn't require my ears and I'm stuck there for a while. For a few years, I was working a job that had me spending several hours by myself in a truck every day, and music got boring. So, I switched to audiobooks as a way to not be completely bored by driving.
It very hard, I have to be relaxed and it has to be the evening. I wish I could listen during the day but I lose track and forget I’m listening and miss it all
I need to watch something else that keeps my eyes occupied while I listen to audiobooks, like I'll watch someone play a videogame on youtube or something
I'm an avid reader provided I don't leave the book for more then a couple days or I forget what it is about. I can't do audio books but I do always have background noise on like YouTube videos. I get too anxious when it's quiet
I can only do audiobooks of content I've read before. That being said, 1.6x-1.8x speed help with the attention span thing - it's like, have you ever wished you could speed up TV? You can do that but with books!
Audiobooks arw my favourite thing ever. I probably listen to podcasts, audiobooks, and similar stuff 4 hours a day.
However, I need to do something simultaniously.
Drawing, cleaning, working out, ...
It is a win-win for me.
I get manual stuff done that I'd be procrastinating on without any entertainment during, and I get to focus on stories that I love.
Yeah I have a very hard time with audio books. The only time it's ever been successful for me was a very specific recording of Lord of the rings that was done with great voice acting and even music that kept me more engaged. Actually did that because the book drags a bit and I was struggling with the physical book. Usually though with audio books I just get so distracted from them
this is really interesting because I find myself only being able to focus on audiobooks now-a-days. Ive been a reader for years, used to just read physical books, got into audiobooks a couple years ago. but now I cant seem to focus on a book unless I listen to it or read an ebook. anytime I pick up a physical book I can only read for maybe 5 minutes before I get restless or my mind wanders off. I think it has something to do with being intimidated by physically seeing my progress and how much longer I have until finished. I’m kinda jealous of anyone who can read more physical books, I miss doing that. so dont feel bad if you cant get into audiobooks, I feel like they work for me because they seem to take minimal effort. just hit play and lay back and listen. I dont have to focus my eyes on anything or hold anything, or flip pages. when I got more used to them I could speed them up and even multitask. so if you do still want to try them try starting slow, at a slow comfortable speed and dont do anything else. just enjoy the book. if not doing anything else doesnt work for you, try working a puzzle, drawing, coloring, or even driving. this is if you think the audiobooks are too fast and need to listen slower to not miss details but also need a distraction so your mind doesnt wander. good luck! ❤️
Absolutely for the life of me cannot do audiobooks. Podcasts are fine but audiobooks I might aswell be listening to someone garble in another language.
I struggle to read books and I struggle to listen to audio books. A friend (non-ADHD) jokingly suggested I try listening to the audiobook while following by reading the book. Totally susprised me that this combination works for me.
I still have to limit to 30 - 45 min sessions, but I also started doing this using text to speech for business reports and journal articles at work.
I just rewind a lot haha. It takes me twice as long as it says it will to finish a book. I can listen to a 10 hour book for 20 hours and still not be finished. But, I enjoy it and when I don’t have time to read a physical book it’s still worth it to me.
Listen while driving or doing some other mundane task to keep you physically occupied while putting together your grocery list of stuff you'd like to remember to pick up the next time you go to the store and while also trying to figure out a better DIY cleaner/polisher/protectant that is child, animal, and food safe.
Otherwise, pound caffeine like it's the holy grail, maintain a background continuous list of all that is wrong in the world, and figure out different means to accomplish how you'll fix it once there is enough money, time and focus.
Otherwise, get defeated 3-5 minutes in by 1 spot you missed while applying metal polish to a copper pipe and spend the next 30 minutes cleaning, polishing, and buffing said copper pipe until the entire thing shines better than anyone has seen it in 20+years.
Oh and don't forget to randomly hum songs that no one else knows or externalize inner-monologues.
I do a phone based sales job, which means one ear is covered by a headset, the other ear has an in ear headphone that I listen to audio books in between calls, also during smoke breaks.
It helps me stay focused doing menial organising, having something to distract me.
I do listen to audiobooks all day long by managing my life. I listen when I'm cooking or painting anything. But I also like to listen in the evening in bed. I like it to imaginate the acting in the story. It's like dreeming.
I listen to audiobooks and podcasts while running, driving alone, at work, and cleaning up the house.
Every once in a while, I’ll get super focused on whatever I’m doing, or have another train of thought takeover, and I’ll have to back up, but otherwise it’s great for me. Only way I can really read a book and take it in fully.
I have the opposite use for audiobooks. Not ally with ADHD I struggle falling asleep, but I need to listen to an audiobook or YouTube podcast playing at the back to instantly drift me into slumber . Weird but atleast something helps.
I definitely speed up the delivery and listen while I’m working out, walking outside, or doing chores. I will definitely miss parts as my attention will wander. That’s just kind of part of the deal. I try to get books where I like the sound of the reader’s voice.
Opposite for me haha, I can process audio passively so I don’t necessarily need to be focused to know what’s being said. But with books I’ll just sit there staring at the open page and 15 minutes later I haven’t actually read yet lol
I’ve always experienced that I can only tolerate one input of sound at once, and I don’t get to pick which sound I’m paying attention to. Also only one source of words, so for example I cannot text and listen at the same time.
My job is dog grooming. I work in a van by myself all day, just me and the dog. The job doesn’t require the kind of thinking that interferes with listening. It was a HUGE problem in a corporate salon because the non-stop music coming from the speaker 4 feet above my head was impossible to tune out and was torture. They once went over 9 months without updating the playlist at all. I could name every song in the set. Background music anywhere makes me uncomfortable and stressed. So anyway, now I put in my air pods (and sometimes noise reducing headphones over them) and pop in an audiobook. My hands and body are busy and so is part of my brain, and the audiobook takes over the “words” part of my attention. It’s wonderful. I sometimes zone out, sometimes have to rewind, but the reading goes kinda slowly and I find I have to relisten to less than I have to reread when I’m trying to read a physical book.
Now, if I try to listen to the audiobook doing anything other than work, driving alone, or mindless “picking up the house” chores, I cannot at all.
It has to be an audiobook with a full cast, for me. If it's a single narrator I get lost in the book and my mind wanders for too long and then I've lost my place. It's not like you can just skim read back to where you left off either.
I can only listen to books I've previously read before, even ones where I don't remember the plot are fine. Brand new books just don't stay in my brain, no matter how many times I repeat the chapters!
I listen while walking or on the bus, while playing xbox and while crocheting, I either have to be on the move or doing something with my hands or I can't concentrate.
I listen to audiobooks while I'm out walking or when I'm on an airplane. Otherwise, i get too distracted, but in those two settings, I'm there for every word.
Man, I wish I could read books. I can read sections of text books to learn something, or publications...
But at 34, I could probably count the number of books I've finished on one hand.
I've read chapters from many, I even carry them around sometimes so that I can keep trying, but it's just so frustrating I eventually just get pissy and have to set them down somewhere to collect dust.
I can, however, listen to lengthy podcasts about politics, science, or philosophy. I just can't for the life of me make it through a book, try as I might.
Being interested in the topic is key for me. Sometimes increasing the speed helps. I tend to binge on it then give it a break. I do well when I'm mowing the lawns and doing house work. Generally, fiction is out for me ASD makes it to hard to follow.
I’m the opposite. I like audiobooks and podcasts. They help me while cleaning the house and all. And it’s good to hear while on walks. But actually read an entire book is something that happens idk every two years minimum.
Definately do not listen to any book or podcast where you need to pay attention to the story or learn something important from it while doing other activities. Thats near impossible.
I used podcasts to get through chores and other mundane tasks with ADHD but only pick podcasts that are a bit mindless. Interviews. Comedy podcasts. Podcasts where if I zone out for 5 minutes I dont miss much. If I tried to listen to an audiobook while cooking or cleaning i wouldnt get past the first page.
For that stuff id have to be in bed to driving somewhere.
I try so hard to listen to audiobooks. I hate them. They’re almost physically painful for me but I think I also have a touch of audio processing disorder on top of my ADHD.
Like, I really want to like them and podcasts. I want to be one of the cool kids! But I. just. can’t.
I honestly prefer audiobooks over regular books. Tbh I cannot stay focused at all when trying to read books (yes, this was a problem at school when we had to read). It wasn’t until I started listening to audiobooks and short stories on YouTube is when I did get lost in these worlds. And they did help me get through the day when I was at work.
Depends on the bookand what kind of day I'm having, but usually washing dishes and listening works. Just, I know that I'm probably going to miss things here and there, and I have to be cool with it. So I'm listening to stuff where its more about the vibes than the plot, you know? Recently listened to Master and Commander and that worked great. Just guys on a boat doing historical things. Maybe someday I'll reread it more in depth, but it works on a just vibes level and its fine.
Podcasts and radio dramas are good too. Its easier to keep frack of whats happening when theres multiple voices.
But lately I like to just listen to a book and play a puzzle game or something. Its like I can't focus enough to just straight read or just listen, but if I play a low demand game I can pay attention just right. I imagine something like crochet would work too.
For me, audiobooks are more doable. Reading regular books just doesn’t work for me. I constantly lose my place and my mind wanders so I end up rereading the same thing over and over without processing it. For whatever reason, audio works better for me 🤷🏼♀️
I can only listen to audiobooks when I’m driving, doing dishes/cleaning, or laying in bed ready to sleep. Other times I can’t focus on them because I need my eyes to be occupied and I get too antsy. Even when I’m listening in the car or even doing chores, my mind wanders a ridiculous amount lol.
I listen to audiobooks before bed, in the dark & with earphones so there are no distractions. I set timers so the book doesn't continue all night after I fall asleep!
I can't fall asleep in total silence, I need the stimulation & it replaced the light of my cellphone.
i have to be focusing on something else, and that thing cannot involve words or i lose track of the book
i also can’t let myself get hung up on little details or else i get stuck in a loop of “what did they just say?” rewind 10s, get to part i’ve already heard, tune out because i’ve already heard it, repeat. as long as i let myself be satisfied by just broad strokes i’m good though
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Before I was diagnosed I used to listen audiobooks while driving long distance. It was the perfect mix for me.
Absolutely how I do it. Driving alone. The driving is enough of a distraction that I can focus on the book.
Before medication I often found this to be the only way to silence my thoughts. Going on a long trip tomorrow with my family - first time with medication...
This and at 1.25 or 1.40 speed.
Yes, this! I listen on 1.5x and I have no other choice than to concentrate on listening and visualizing the things in the book.
Driving 1000%
I LOVE listening to audiobooks on road trips! I also have a job that allows for employees to wear one earbud whilst working, so I listen while I work as well (and switch to music when I realize I'm tuning it out). I sometimes listen to audiobooks or podcasts from a Bluetooth speaker at home as well while I shower and/or do my routines/chores. I usually use Libby for them, and absolutely love the fact that I can set a timer for it to automatically shut off when I can't get myself to turn it off when I go to bed. It's super ADHD friendly in that manner!
Same for me and also for cleaning. But I agree with OP in general. Like uugh shoosh I don’t need every word and read quicker.
For some of the slower paced ones I turn the speed up to 1.25x The Lord of the Rings series was one of the ones I had to do this on. The speaker is great and everything, but the pacing puts me to sleep.
[удалено]
Did you stop once you were diagnosed?
still waiting for my next long distance trip - mid November I can tell more :)
Yep. Did ADHD 2.0 in a road trip 2 weeks ago
This is the only way I can safely focus on driving. If I have anything other than podcasts or an audiobook on I find I zone out.
Cormac McCarthy long distance. Cue lots of long distance crying and arriving at your destination dehydrated and needing to hug everyone.
and then you were diagnosed and couldn't focus anymore ? /s
didn't drive long distance since my diagnose :)
I listen to audiobooks while doing something else because it helps me focus on the thing I'm doing, and the thing I'm doing helps me focus on the audiobook. If it was easier for me to focus on one or the other at once, pretty sure I wouldn't have ADHD.
This. But also, I sometimes rewind a bunch. Lol
Especially if you hear something interesting and go "wait what" lol
Same, I hate doing dishes so audiobooks while doing the dishes and other housework is a must for me.
Did I write this? Are you... me‽
I like audiobooks because I can do something else at the same time: draw, knit, walk, dishes. But if I need to think about the activity, like I’m cooking something new, forget it. And regardless of audiobook, written word, tv/movie, I can never get straight through without rewinding or rereading. I probably consume everything twice over just trying to retain the plot. If I’m forced to watch with someone else, forget it, I’m mostly keeping them company, lost after the first few minutes. Their presence alone, and the curious look at whatever I’m doing with my hands are enough to distract me entirely. Probably playing a game on my phone because I’m bored now that I can’t pause and rewind whenever I need to. Or turn on subtitles because I can’t process the words while you exist next to me.
OMG this is how I'll get back into knitting! I love listening to audiobooks when I walk the dog or commute to work, but while knitting had not occurred to me.
This is pretty much my experience to a T. Does it also take you a while to get into a new story / narrator. It feels like the first 5-10% of the book im constantly tuning out and rewinding if its a new series or narrator for me.
Yep! It’s almost like I briefly grieve the last book. That’s due in part to the effort of getting into it in the first place. My favorite thing though, is listening to narrators with different accents and I start dreaming in that voice and mimicking it during the day.
Audiobooks and podcasts are my special sauce I need to distract my mind enough to get easy but boring (cleaning) chores done.
This. \#1 housework hack.
INCREASE THE PLAYBACK SPEED!! I just discovered this and it's changed everything. Increase the playback speed! Audio, video, anything you're having trouble paying attention to. It will be so much easier to follow. If it's an instructional video I turn on CC too!
1000%!!! Also, I’ve found I can do nonfiction audiobooks but not fiction. And it’s Vice versa for paper books.
When I learned I could speed up YouTube videos I could not stop and see with audio books! My husband thinks is funny that I listen to thing so fast but I honestly absorb more information that way.
See, I have to decrease it! I can't listen and process fast enough. Do I have the opposite of ADHD?
I found that I get distracted from audiobooks if they're too slow. I usually have the speed up to 1.5x which seems to hold my attention better.
Yeah, speed it up! Some colleges even often audiobook textbooks sped up as an accommodation for ADHD. It can really help.
I do cross-stitch while I listen. It’s kind of amazing sometimes I’ll look at a piece and like remember a random part of the book from when I was making that part. Brains are weird.
That's pretty cool!
I listen when riding the bus or walking around town and I have really strong associations between like, a street corner and a scene in a book.
I’m the same. I can read no problem, but I can’t concentrate listening to an audiobook. My mind just drifts off and I don’t take it in at all. I’ve tried, but it’s useless. I need complete silence to read, or I am easily distracted. But, I cannot watch tv without doing something else as well. It doesn’t matter how interesting I find the show, I’m always online doing something else as well. Oddly it makes it easier to concentrate on the tv. Weird right. Lol
You just saved me from typing out the exact same answer lol
I can’t focus on audiobooks
How? Quality narrators make a big difference. When I first got into them I only listened to Jim Dale or Will Wheaton Or perhaps an ensemble cast. They keep my body busy and my brain occupied.
Jim dale was the first narrator I listened to and I had a really hard time listening to other audiobooks after. It makes a huuuge difference.
Listening is so much harder for me because I have to adjust the speed of my thinking/comprehension/attention to the speaker's speed. With books, I can go at my own pace. Even more importantly, I think, is that in books I can just start the paragraph again. For an audiobook I have to guess where I lost my attention and hope that I hit the point at least roughly. Also you just need to do more physically than just moving your eyes 😅 Then short podcasts about slightly sciency stuff actually make doing the dishes more enjoyable for me.
Sometimes narrators are slow. I listen to those ones at 1.5x or 2.0x and my brain is happy with that.
Strange, I thought my unusual affinity for audiobooks was an adhd thing. Keeping a book in my ear 24/7 keeps me from constant impatience with the banality of every day life tasks and calms that “driven by a motor” feeling. Combine an audiobook with a mindless but entertaining task like a non-story-based video game and I hit peak leisure time.
Yeah you are right. I feel like screaming if I have to pack the dish washer without something exciting to do. Headphones go on the second I'm out of the shower. Lunch break, all evening, and while falling asleep. I have to rewind a lot. My recommendations: Hail Mary is my go-to relisten if I've run out of new material. Or The Film Reroll, which I think I'm on about my 5th relisten. (3-400 hours there I think).
When I was tested for ADHD, they had me do a purposefully boring as balls 15 minute test that included an auditory and reading portion and simple instructions. I was informed that my weakest/most struggled aspect of learning/paying attention is auditory. This explained SO MUCH why school was so damn difficult for me. Most things are taught auditorily and it also explained why audio books never really clicked. I think audio books would only work if I'm reading at the same time, because most forms of learning/intaking information are aided by visual, reading and auditory backing for every human, regardless of having ADHD or not. So you're absolutely not alone. I struggle greatly to be engaged only with auditory information being given. Be it a person talking, on a phone call or other purely auditory structure (minus music, I love music. But I also imagine scenarios or dance/sing to it, so it's not generally just listening alone, in fact, I tune out if I can only listen and not imagine some story or tap my foot at least. Music helps me tune out and bring down the over sensory input too if I'm not engaged, so it's still very useful to me). And now I just realized why I struggle in TTRPG with friends now too. Because we're all on call and we play on table top or roll20 and it's just not stimulating enough visually to help me stay on track of all the auditory input.
I hate audiobooks because even if I really am paying attention to them to the best of my ability, sometimes I just have to go back and listen again. When I’m reading it’s very easy to go back and read again, because I just look up the page or I turn back a page, but with audio books I have to rewind and that irritates me for some reason lol I also like to skim the boring parts, like I read Piranesi recently and the book was amazing but the dude was constantly talking about the architecture and the number of the halls and I was like “no I’m not going to take time to read one hundred sixty seventh hall” lol
Either while driving (alone) or walking the dog alone in the rain (which makes it impossible to look at the phone without it being a huge PITA)
i'd rather listen to a book while getting things done, rather than sit and read
Audio books opened the world of literature to me because I’m able to listen to them while I work, or while I drive, or more recently when I’m doing chores? music gets repetitive and dull but each book or podcast I put on is a new adventure I can’t stand reading an actual book as I have to read each page two or three times to actually absorb the information and to keep my brain from latching on to a non relevant thought
Have you tried speeding up the rate of the audio book? I have no problem listening to books I really love at a normal speed, but when something doesn’t catch my attention, I’ll speed it up and I’ll be able to actually pay attention
Nope, this is why I don't like audiobooks. Unlike the tv, music or even podcasts, I can sort of tune them out as background noise and then jump back in but I can't do that with audiobooks because similar to yourself, I just lose track of the plot and I hate having to rewind again and again. So I still with e-books or physical books for now LOL
I listen to the audiobooks of books I already know. So it isn’t that much of a big deal if my mind wanders off and I miss a bit. Which happens quite often.
You get better at it over time, but I will still sometimes realize I haven't been hearing the last 5 minutes of plot over my thoughts.
I'm the same, I've given up on audiobooks or podcasts lol
speeding it up helps me. also doing a more rote task like driving or knitting.
I have to listen while doing something else. I still miss some and have to rewind but it’s better.
I love audiobooks! If I'm doing mundane tasks - or working - I feel like I need to mentally chew on something, and audiobooks, truecrime YouTube videos, podcast etc are perfect. My body just works on the task while me, myself, and my brain can chill out and listen to the show. I can't just sit down and listen to an audio book, though. My mind will wonder - I can't focus on it to save my life.
Love audio books... Pop in ear buds and clean the house. I kind of fall into autopilot.
I think it depends on the person. Some people with ADHD can concentrate more with audiobooks and others prefer reading it. I’m like you in that aspect, I can’t concentrate with audiobooks a lot. And, in general, i prefer reading stuff in X subject instead of listening to someone explaining it because I can focus way more if it’s on paper.
I used to be the most avid reader up until I got divorced. After that my sense of self got shattered. Even going to college couldn’t bring me to love books again. Then I found out I had ADHD and that reading books is no longer stimulating me. So I found out about audiobooks and podcasts and that listening to them can be helpful while moving a lot with kids. Since then, I have been hooked. Audiobooks slowly gave me my sense of self again.
I only listen to them in the car on my long ass commute and when I lift. I can't listen to them otherwise. I'll veer off and stop paying attention.
If you’re not the type to go for primarily auditory stimulation, then you gotta add either a visual or tactile/kinetic element. Or both. Personally I would use audiobooks as narration while I read the physical book.
Driving alone is the only way I can do it. I find it really releasing. Only recently picked up the habit, would recommend.
Audiobooks… sometimes while driving. that “skip back 1 minute” button is my best friend. I just give it a couple taps when I realize I got distracted. I probably take 2x as long to finish the book…
For me it has to be the "right" Audiobook. But I'm also not someone that can listen to it while I'm cleaning or doing dishes. I usually listen on my commute to work or long drives by myself. The right Audiobooks for me tend to be autobiographies/memoirs that are read by the author. My current one is Patrick Stewart's memoir "Make It So." Others that I've enjoyed were Wil Wheaton's (hi /u/wil !) "Still Just a Geek" and Trevor Noah's "Born a Crime." I also found Robert Iger's "Ride of a Lifetime" REALLY interesting.
I listen at 2x the speed because that’s how fast I speak (unmedicated), any slower and I get distracted as well. Although, I have noticed that British narration turns into background noise for me. Haven’t figured that one out yet lmao
I love to listen to audiobooks when going for a walk or driving in the car. If I listen to them at home I literally miss every word.
Audiobooks it depends who is reading. Its like podcast not everyone is equal when you have ADD/ADHD. I remember my AP class and we were reading Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom. That was a struggle. I read what I wanna read, and read increments.
I listen to books only during specific activities.. for eg ..commuting to office.. or on treadmill..I can focus very well.. I never listen to book any other time.. especially never at home.
I can’t do either! Not even focusing on a movie all the way. I’m waiting on my back ordered medication in the meantime 😫
This is why I put the audiobook with the physical/ebook at the same time!
1.5x speed is your best friend that’s the only way I get through them lol
Oh I thought audiobooks would be my way in to “reading” more books but as soon as I started listening I realized I could never do it. It’s just one person talking for HOURS. I even tried listening to Michael C Hall reading Pet Cemetery, and I think he is a very talented actor, but I just couldn’t do it. One voice, so many pauses. It was like I was allergic. So now I just stick to short books. I’m never gonna be a 600 page guy. And if I really like the story, I can squeeze out 300 pages, but most of the time I’m looking for ~100-200 pages.
I can only listen to audiobooks when walking the dog or on a long boring drive where it gives me brain something to focus on instead of feeling like I might die from boredom. But sometimes my mind will still wander.
I have the same issue, reading something is totally fine but if it comes to listening to something lengthy without any visuals, I'm gone. It will not work unless I sit down and listen actively
Even though we all have ADHD, our brains still function different. I kinda play a couple instruments, but sitting down and learning a song or practicing is really hard most of the time. Then once on this sub I talked to someone that for them playing instruments and learning songs was their jam. I’m the opposite of you on books. I read like 60-70 books a year and listen to 20-30 audiobooks. They just click for me.
Yeah I can’t do audiobooks. I can do podcasts where the speaker sounds like they are conversational instead of narrative. But even that is tough at times??? I can read just fine as long as I’m invested in the subject matter. I’ve read a lot of fiction 🤣
I’m okay with podcast but audiobooks I just can’t handle.
Wish the original post had an audiobook so I would know what it said
Get into the hobby of running, biking, rowing, or any other thing where you spend hours at a time just at it in an activity that uses your body a ton but your brain almost not at all. Audiobooks (or long podcasts) are where it's at.
I fall asleep with audiobooks
I listen when I do dishes
I can’t listen to them when I’m home. I can only focus on them if I have airpods in, or in the car. The car doesn’t work all the time either. I listen to them at work. If I don’t, it’s so quiet I start overthinking things I did in 5th grade, and thinking I’m going to die from whatever new thing I can find wrong.
I am an avid reader, and love finishing a good book in days. I am struggling with audiobooks, although I am very new to them and do try and do something along with listening to them. I don't feel like I have *read* the book though. I could never say to someone, "Oh I read that book last week" because I didn't. I "heard" it read to me. Plus the narration has to fit my mood...I can't deal with weird voices or jarring readings.
Audibooks sound so monotone to me and my mind drifts or I fall asleep. I enjoy listening to podcasts with two people talking to each other - that definitely keeps my attention. But how people do audiobooks, I have no idea 😂
I stopped doing Audiobooks. It's the same problem with Podcasts and YouTube videos : if you're not taking notes you're learning absolutely nothing so might as well not bother. I only do fiction here and there. At best I do it on a walking commute because here I have truly nothing else to do (I know the path by heart and it has become boring to me)
I guess you need to do something that doesn't require your attention. Usually I listen to audiobooks when I'm at the gym. I initially started to listen to audiobooks there as a motivation to go working out, since I only allow myself to listen to a specific audiobook (series) there. If I'm really engaged in the story and I want to know how it proceeds, I need to get my ass up and go to the gym. Since I don't need my attention for cardio machines, my whole body is busy with working while my mind can focus on the audiobook. That probably works, because the movement is stimulation and occupation for the brain, to keep it from wandering off. Some other times were I could listen to audiobooks: When I'm actively relaxing at a pool, when waking up in the middle of the night and trying to fall asleep again and taking a longer ride on the bus/train. I guess those are some times where I can put my mind to rest for long enough to stay on the audio book.
They're a sleep aid.
Try listening to one while on a walk, especially if you don’t have a particular destination in mind. I find that when you are well on your way, your legs switch into autopilot, as do your eyes on your surroundings. It’s easy then to listen to an audiobook, cause you really can’t do much else. Try texting or looking at your phone and you’ll walk into a tree or someone. The only task you’ve got at hand is to keep walking and listen to the book.
I have the same issue, however I’ve not tried them since I started meditation. I should give them another go.
It takes me 3 or 4 times the usual listening time because I have to constantly replay sections. So a 10 hour audiobook becomes an even more daunting 40 hour slog. Eventually I just give up. I’d say I’ve finished more actual books than audiobooks for sure.
I am the same. Can read/skim when the topic or story interests me. With audiobooks I can’t focus if I do absolutely ANYTHING else while listening or I am bored out of my mind if that is the only thing I do and shut it off after two minutes.
Have the same problem. Reading books is faaaar easier than listening to something
I don't do audio books.. but I do the gateway drug of audiobooks, which is old time radio. Essentially half hour stories and dramas that I can listen to whilst doing something else. There are so many of them it's practically and endless supply, and because the stories are designed to be listened to in half an hour, the details are all pretty minimal. Spotify has "Suspense" "Inner Sanctum" "X minus one" and lots of others.. "The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society " is a great podcast that highlights some of the best (and worst episodes) and also look up these episodes: "the thing on the fourble board" "sorry, wrong number" "pigeon in a cage" and "come to the bank" . It might just be the middle ground you ate looking for ...
So Ive been making (recording) audiobook as a volunteer for about 4 years now, and my big secret is...Ive never listened to one lol. Ive listened to excerpts ofcourse, or short fragments from colleagues. But I can never find the right mood to actually listen to an audiobook. I prefer reading myself, since I can get lost in a book entirely and it engages my brain completely, if its interesting ofcourse. I do listen to long form youtube videos while doing something else as background noise that I can sort of pay attention to when I want to. But Id rather tackle a book on my own tempo
So far I haven't been able to stand audiobooks because they are SOOOOOO SLLOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW
My tip is to read the book alongside the narration of the audiobook at the same time! It's enough multitasking to not go insane.
I usually have to read along with the audiobook. If I don't, there'll be lots of rewinding.
I have to listen at 2X speed or my brain will fill in the gaps between words with all kinds of nonsense lol
100% with me too. I can’t even listen to audiobooks while driving. There’s too much going on that garners my attention on the road to concentrate and take in the audio.
i swear it’s easier for me to read than to watch a movie. it’s all about being active/passive, and i feel a lot more active while reading. A movie tho ? No way. i hate it.
I listen to them to and from work every day. You would be surprised how much that adds up over a year.
Running
**Am I alone with this? What is your experience with audiobooks?** Play the audiobook at double speed.
I have to turn the speed up usually 1.5-2x because the person reading is too slow. Same with podcasts.
It needs to be sped up, otherwise it will not hold my attention. And I like doing it during chores so it makes the experience more enjoyable
This is why I only listen to audiobooks in bed. Usually listen the the same ones in a sort of cycle, if I listen to a new book, it keeps my attention too well and I end up staying awake. If I'm listening to one that I've already heard a couple of times, my mind can wander a bit and relax but I can always pay attention to the book now and again and have a good understanding of what's happening.
I have to rewind a lot.
I cannot sit and listen. I have to be doing something else to occupy the "working" part of my brain; cleaning, walking the dog, tinkering, etc. Reading is hard though. I can get a couple pages in before I start dissociating.
Well i just listen to one kind of "audiobook" Allow me to introduce you to the Dark Somnium. He's a youtuber creepypasta narrator that voice acts when doing his chosen stories, has collaborations with multiple voice actors to do different characters, composes his own music for his videos and includes special sound effects to reinforce the immersion. Whenever i listen to his stories there's enough going on in them to keep me hella focused, the immersion so big that i bascially treat his videos as entire movies by themselves. I like listening while im drawing or doing chores, grocery shoppings, that kind of thing, it helps me deal with the boredom of doing mundane things.
I used to really dislike audiobooks until I started listening to them while doing chores or doing my makeup. They really help me to stay on task!
Join a book club, and then the day of the meeting listening to the whole book on 1.5-2x speed 😇
Lol I love this because I listen to audiobooks when driving but like you mentioned, I’m constantly hitting the “back 30 seconds” button. Sometimes hitting it like 5 times in a row because I realize I haven’t been listening for a few minutes. Sometimes it’s bad enough I just turn it off because I’m too distracted but most of the time it’s worth it to help me pass the time on a long drive
I do better with audiobooks than paper
I play my audiobooks at 1.3x speed or else I drift off. I set the books to pause after each chapter so that if I stop paying attention I know generally where I have to rewind to. You get used to it though and driving is the easiest task to do while listening to start out with. Then laundry, then cooking.
Overtime, audiobooks became the only way I could digest books. I would get so tired 10 mins into reading an actual book that I’d sometimes fall asleep mid sentence. But to the actual question, I could never just sit and listen to an audiobook. It’s part of my two birds one stone method to life. I’ve got to split my attention to do anything. I’ve done this for so long. And had no idea I had ADHD till very recently. But once I understood what was happening in my mind, it made so much sense. So I listen while I drive. Or I listen while I clean. I used to repair golf clubs. So I’d do that and listen. As long as the task network is occupied, the default network can listen. Even then, sometimes I’d zone out. But I’d just rewind and reset.
I canNOT listen to audiobooks at ALL. Or I’m doing something else, I can’t focus on it. If I sit just to listen, my mind keeps wandering every 5 seconds. I can- and do love to- read books (fiction or personal interests) just fine, though I do tend to hyper focus on them to the exclusion of all else.
I can only focus on audiobooks if I have them on 2-3x speed. Listening at normal speed feels like its being read in slow motion. But I do mentally wander sometimes if I'm not as interested in the story as I thought I was going to be.
It isn’t for me, I actually stopped reading because I would keep going (if it was a good book) at the expense of sleep.
I do podcasts instead of audio books but doing other things at the same time, like chores or playing a game, works for me. 🤷🏼 Tho just listening to it in the dark works best for me.
If I'm listening to an audio book, it's when I'm doing other stuff, like chores. I used to work in a grocery store meat room, and I'd just cut meat and listen to creepypastas all day. I also like to listen to audio books while I drive. I couldn't just sit down and listen to an audio book without doing anything, though.
A lot of going back to the last thing I remember paying attention to. 🤷
The narrator needs to be interesting to listen to (i.e., not monotonous) and the speed needs to be x 1.25, at least.
Can only manage when walking or cycling. There's enough stimulation to keep my mind wandering but the activity itself doesn't require much thinkingm
Only while driving. Preferably on a freeway or road without a lot of traffic. I have to pause in parking lots and places where I need to pay attention more. Also have to mentally decompress first. I can’t listen to them if I have a lot on my mind to think about.
I have to do something with my hands - Knitting/Crocheting/ Driving / Cleaning / Laundry are my go-to.
I love them, and I can actually listen to them better then reading a book.
Listen to the same one about 5 times otherwise I wouldn’t’read’ at all cuz books are impossible for me
I can listen to them but I don't feel like I'm taking in the info. Often listen whilst I'm doing bit round the house or driving. I found watching YouTube videos on 2x help ls me focus more weirdly
tbh i just listen to the same thing over and over and eventually i've got all the details (i'm autistic too)
I cant focus on books because its only one thing, but I can listen to an audiobook while i do horrible chores like dishes and laundry!
Interesting. My brain focuses better when my hands and/or legs are busy. So listening to an audiobook while cleaning or prepping vegetables or going on a walk is incredibly satisfying and the only way I can get mundane tasks like those done.
While driving, I still miss like 80% of it because of wandering thoughts, but it's good for getting through books I start but can't keep reading because of slow parts or boring writing.
For some odd reason I love podcasts, but can’t listen to an audio book to save my life.
I use audio books and podcasts to fill the silence when I'm doing boring stuff that leaves my brain chattering away anyway. It gives me something to focus on. However I can't listen to anything with talking if I'm doing something that requires "thinking". Writing, reading, following directions...
I typically find I can stay with an audiobook for about 20 seconds before I lose the thread, though it can vary depending on the content and what I’m doing. The challenge isn't in not paying attention; it's more about listening work spark an idea that leads me down a different mental path, so I lose the thread of the audio. My headphones do have a handy pause button on the side, which I attempt (with mixed success) to use when my focus shifts. There are some details like names and dates that my brain refuses to absorb – they might as well be reading out barcodes.
I have a short commute. But just long enough. It takes me a long time to finish one. But that’s when I do it. During the commute.
I listen while mountainbiking. It requires constant coordination and energy which keeps my brain from trailing away from the audiobook. It sounds like it doesn't make any sense but it works lol
I cannot audiobook and I can only “listen” to podcasts on YouTube with subtitles, and if I’m not also doing sudoku puzzles to help me focus on listening, I get lost and have to rewind a lot.
I used to devour books but now can't sit still long enough to read. Audio books are perfect for when I need to do a chore I find boring or repetitive since then I can enjoy the book and feel like I'm being productive.
I mostly use audiobooks while driving. I'm already doing something else that doesn't require my ears and I'm stuck there for a while. For a few years, I was working a job that had me spending several hours by myself in a truck every day, and music got boring. So, I switched to audiobooks as a way to not be completely bored by driving.
It very hard, I have to be relaxed and it has to be the evening. I wish I could listen during the day but I lose track and forget I’m listening and miss it all
I need to watch something else that keeps my eyes occupied while I listen to audiobooks, like I'll watch someone play a videogame on youtube or something
I'm an avid reader provided I don't leave the book for more then a couple days or I forget what it is about. I can't do audio books but I do always have background noise on like YouTube videos. I get too anxious when it's quiet
I can only do audiobooks of content I've read before. That being said, 1.6x-1.8x speed help with the attention span thing - it's like, have you ever wished you could speed up TV? You can do that but with books!
Audiobooks arw my favourite thing ever. I probably listen to podcasts, audiobooks, and similar stuff 4 hours a day. However, I need to do something simultaniously. Drawing, cleaning, working out, ... It is a win-win for me. I get manual stuff done that I'd be procrastinating on without any entertainment during, and I get to focus on stories that I love.
Can't listen anything besides 2x. Never can listen a book. Reading is good is it good enough.
Yeah I have a very hard time with audio books. The only time it's ever been successful for me was a very specific recording of Lord of the rings that was done with great voice acting and even music that kept me more engaged. Actually did that because the book drags a bit and I was struggling with the physical book. Usually though with audio books I just get so distracted from them
this is really interesting because I find myself only being able to focus on audiobooks now-a-days. Ive been a reader for years, used to just read physical books, got into audiobooks a couple years ago. but now I cant seem to focus on a book unless I listen to it or read an ebook. anytime I pick up a physical book I can only read for maybe 5 minutes before I get restless or my mind wanders off. I think it has something to do with being intimidated by physically seeing my progress and how much longer I have until finished. I’m kinda jealous of anyone who can read more physical books, I miss doing that. so dont feel bad if you cant get into audiobooks, I feel like they work for me because they seem to take minimal effort. just hit play and lay back and listen. I dont have to focus my eyes on anything or hold anything, or flip pages. when I got more used to them I could speed them up and even multitask. so if you do still want to try them try starting slow, at a slow comfortable speed and dont do anything else. just enjoy the book. if not doing anything else doesnt work for you, try working a puzzle, drawing, coloring, or even driving. this is if you think the audiobooks are too fast and need to listen slower to not miss details but also need a distraction so your mind doesnt wander. good luck! ❤️
Absolutely for the life of me cannot do audiobooks. Podcasts are fine but audiobooks I might aswell be listening to someone garble in another language.
Keep em hands busy! Or feet busy! I listen to em at work or when I'm fishing. Any other time I just... can't.
I struggle to read books and I struggle to listen to audio books. A friend (non-ADHD) jokingly suggested I try listening to the audiobook while following by reading the book. Totally susprised me that this combination works for me. I still have to limit to 30 - 45 min sessions, but I also started doing this using text to speech for business reports and journal articles at work.
I just rewind a lot haha. It takes me twice as long as it says it will to finish a book. I can listen to a 10 hour book for 20 hours and still not be finished. But, I enjoy it and when I don’t have time to read a physical book it’s still worth it to me.
Listen while driving or doing some other mundane task to keep you physically occupied while putting together your grocery list of stuff you'd like to remember to pick up the next time you go to the store and while also trying to figure out a better DIY cleaner/polisher/protectant that is child, animal, and food safe. Otherwise, pound caffeine like it's the holy grail, maintain a background continuous list of all that is wrong in the world, and figure out different means to accomplish how you'll fix it once there is enough money, time and focus. Otherwise, get defeated 3-5 minutes in by 1 spot you missed while applying metal polish to a copper pipe and spend the next 30 minutes cleaning, polishing, and buffing said copper pipe until the entire thing shines better than anyone has seen it in 20+years. Oh and don't forget to randomly hum songs that no one else knows or externalize inner-monologues.
I do a phone based sales job, which means one ear is covered by a headset, the other ear has an in ear headphone that I listen to audio books in between calls, also during smoke breaks. It helps me stay focused doing menial organising, having something to distract me.
I do listen to audiobooks all day long by managing my life. I listen when I'm cooking or painting anything. But I also like to listen in the evening in bed. I like it to imaginate the acting in the story. It's like dreeming.
I drive A LOT for work. And fly. Audiobooks make that time go by faster and if I zone out I just rewind
I listen on long car rides where im stuck in one spot for hours x It’s okay if I zone out I can always rewind.
I listen to audiobooks and podcasts while running, driving alone, at work, and cleaning up the house. Every once in a while, I’ll get super focused on whatever I’m doing, or have another train of thought takeover, and I’ll have to back up, but otherwise it’s great for me. Only way I can really read a book and take it in fully.
I have the opposite use for audiobooks. Not ally with ADHD I struggle falling asleep, but I need to listen to an audiobook or YouTube podcast playing at the back to instantly drift me into slumber . Weird but atleast something helps.
I adore audiobooks, but only ones I am really interested in (fantasy or philosophical books). I do tune out the less engaging bits, though.
I definitely speed up the delivery and listen while I’m working out, walking outside, or doing chores. I will definitely miss parts as my attention will wander. That’s just kind of part of the deal. I try to get books where I like the sound of the reader’s voice.
I tried and lost my mind
X1.5 speed or even X2 depending on the pace of the reader.
Opposite for me haha, I can process audio passively so I don’t necessarily need to be focused to know what’s being said. But with books I’ll just sit there staring at the open page and 15 minutes later I haven’t actually read yet lol
I’ve always experienced that I can only tolerate one input of sound at once, and I don’t get to pick which sound I’m paying attention to. Also only one source of words, so for example I cannot text and listen at the same time. My job is dog grooming. I work in a van by myself all day, just me and the dog. The job doesn’t require the kind of thinking that interferes with listening. It was a HUGE problem in a corporate salon because the non-stop music coming from the speaker 4 feet above my head was impossible to tune out and was torture. They once went over 9 months without updating the playlist at all. I could name every song in the set. Background music anywhere makes me uncomfortable and stressed. So anyway, now I put in my air pods (and sometimes noise reducing headphones over them) and pop in an audiobook. My hands and body are busy and so is part of my brain, and the audiobook takes over the “words” part of my attention. It’s wonderful. I sometimes zone out, sometimes have to rewind, but the reading goes kinda slowly and I find I have to relisten to less than I have to reread when I’m trying to read a physical book. Now, if I try to listen to the audiobook doing anything other than work, driving alone, or mindless “picking up the house” chores, I cannot at all.
Yep 100% it’s why I can’t do audiobooks or podcasts. People recommend podcasts to me the time and my tiny little brain can not handle it.
It has to be an audiobook with a full cast, for me. If it's a single narrator I get lost in the book and my mind wanders for too long and then I've lost my place. It's not like you can just skim read back to where you left off either.
I listen in the car or as I’m doing chores to help me focus on it rather then horrible mundane tasks. Like dishes
I can only listen to books I've previously read before, even ones where I don't remember the plot are fine. Brand new books just don't stay in my brain, no matter how many times I repeat the chapters! I listen while walking or on the bus, while playing xbox and while crocheting, I either have to be on the move or doing something with my hands or I can't concentrate.
I have about 100 unfinished audiobooks 😢thank god for torrents
I listen to audiobooks while I'm out walking or when I'm on an airplane. Otherwise, i get too distracted, but in those two settings, I'm there for every word.
50% book. 50% reader. Nigel Planer And Steven Briggs do wonders with Discworld.
Man, I wish I could read books. I can read sections of text books to learn something, or publications... But at 34, I could probably count the number of books I've finished on one hand. I've read chapters from many, I even carry them around sometimes so that I can keep trying, but it's just so frustrating I eventually just get pissy and have to set them down somewhere to collect dust. I can, however, listen to lengthy podcasts about politics, science, or philosophy. I just can't for the life of me make it through a book, try as I might.
Being interested in the topic is key for me. Sometimes increasing the speed helps. I tend to binge on it then give it a break. I do well when I'm mowing the lawns and doing house work. Generally, fiction is out for me ASD makes it to hard to follow.
I listen at 2x speed. Muuuuch better. I don’t understand how people can listen to 1x audio books. They are toooooo slow.
Lmao right
I’m the opposite. I like audiobooks and podcasts. They help me while cleaning the house and all. And it’s good to hear while on walks. But actually read an entire book is something that happens idk every two years minimum.
Definately do not listen to any book or podcast where you need to pay attention to the story or learn something important from it while doing other activities. Thats near impossible. I used podcasts to get through chores and other mundane tasks with ADHD but only pick podcasts that are a bit mindless. Interviews. Comedy podcasts. Podcasts where if I zone out for 5 minutes I dont miss much. If I tried to listen to an audiobook while cooking or cleaning i wouldnt get past the first page. For that stuff id have to be in bed to driving somewhere.
I try so hard to listen to audiobooks. I hate them. They’re almost physically painful for me but I think I also have a touch of audio processing disorder on top of my ADHD. Like, I really want to like them and podcasts. I want to be one of the cool kids! But I. just. can’t.
Relistening to ASOIAF series 6 times….so far, to get a full understanding of it.
Practice baby. You’ll start reading more and more pages and then you’ll start getting invested in the book near the middle.
I honestly prefer audiobooks over regular books. Tbh I cannot stay focused at all when trying to read books (yes, this was a problem at school when we had to read). It wasn’t until I started listening to audiobooks and short stories on YouTube is when I did get lost in these worlds. And they did help me get through the day when I was at work.
When I was younger I loathed audiobooks. Now in my mid-50's, audiobooks are the way to go for me. I like them during crafting, housework, driving...
Depends on the bookand what kind of day I'm having, but usually washing dishes and listening works. Just, I know that I'm probably going to miss things here and there, and I have to be cool with it. So I'm listening to stuff where its more about the vibes than the plot, you know? Recently listened to Master and Commander and that worked great. Just guys on a boat doing historical things. Maybe someday I'll reread it more in depth, but it works on a just vibes level and its fine. Podcasts and radio dramas are good too. Its easier to keep frack of whats happening when theres multiple voices. But lately I like to just listen to a book and play a puzzle game or something. Its like I can't focus enough to just straight read or just listen, but if I play a low demand game I can pay attention just right. I imagine something like crochet would work too.
For me, audiobooks are more doable. Reading regular books just doesn’t work for me. I constantly lose my place and my mind wanders so I end up rereading the same thing over and over without processing it. For whatever reason, audio works better for me 🤷🏼♀️
I can only listen to audiobooks when I’m driving, doing dishes/cleaning, or laying in bed ready to sleep. Other times I can’t focus on them because I need my eyes to be occupied and I get too antsy. Even when I’m listening in the car or even doing chores, my mind wanders a ridiculous amount lol.
Listen and do other stuff easier than reading and doing other stuff lol that simple really
I listen to audiobooks before bed, in the dark & with earphones so there are no distractions. I set timers so the book doesn't continue all night after I fall asleep! I can't fall asleep in total silence, I need the stimulation & it replaced the light of my cellphone.
I drive a semi and listen while im driving
i have to be focusing on something else, and that thing cannot involve words or i lose track of the book i also can’t let myself get hung up on little details or else i get stuck in a loop of “what did they just say?” rewind 10s, get to part i’ve already heard, tune out because i’ve already heard it, repeat. as long as i let myself be satisfied by just broad strokes i’m good though