Reading vs. Listening: Science Says Reading Helps You Work Smarter

You just got another voice message at work. It's 5 minutes long and probably contains important details you need to remember. Here's what science tells us: you'll process that information faster and remember it better if you read it instead of listening to it. Research from multiple studies shows reading beats listening for workplace productivity in almost every measurable way.

The Productivity Problem with Voice Messages at Work

Voice messages feel quick and personal. But they create hidden productivity drains that most people don't realize.

When you listen to audio at work, you're stuck with the speaker's pace. You can't skip ahead to the important parts. If you miss something, you have to rewind and hunt for the right spot. Your brain works harder to hold onto details because the words disappear as soon as they're spoken.

The good news? Science has measured exactly why reading outperforms listening for work tasks.

The Numbers Don't Lie: Reading Is 1.5x Faster Than Listening

Reading Speed vs. Speaking Speed:

• Average silent reading speed: 238 words per minute
• Normal speaking speed: 150 words per minute
• Reading aloud speed: 183 words per minute

These numbers come from psychologist Marc Brysbaert's 2019 meta-analysis of reading rates. The research is clear: you can absorb information at least 1.5 times faster by reading it than by listening to someone speak it.

Technology writer Terence Eden puts it simply: "Listening is slower than reading, with average speeds of 150 and 238 words per minute respectively."

What This Means for Your Workday:

A 5-minute voice message contains about 750 words. You could read that same information in just 3 minutes. Over a week of voice messages, those 2 extra minutes per message add up to serious time savings - especially when you find yourself having to replay the messages.

Research Proves Reading Improves Memory and Understanding

Speed is just the beginning. Multiple studies show you'll understand and remember information better when you read it.

The JAMIA Open Study (2019):

Researchers had people either read or listen to health information. Both groups scored the same on immediate tests (53-55% accuracy). But when tested later, readers remembered significantly more details than listeners.

Study authors Gondy Leroy and David Kauchak concluded: "Information retention is higher with text" compared to audio for the material they tested.

The College Student Experiment:

Researchers David B. Daniel and William Woody tested college students with textbook chapters. Some students read the chapter, others listened to an audio version.

The results were dramatic:

• Reading group: Higher comprehension scores
• Listening group: Scored 28% worse on the quiz
• The difference was "about the gap between an A and a D grade"

Many students who preferred the idea of audio lessons "changed their minds" after trying it. They realized they hadn't absorbed the material as well.

Why Reading Sticks Better:

1. Visual stability: Text stays in front of your eyes for review
2. Natural backtracking: About 10-15% of eye movements go backward to recheck previous words
3. Memory reinforcement: You can highlight key points and easily look back
4. Self-paced processing: Your brain can take breaks between paragraphs

With audio, once words are spoken, they vanish. Your memory has to work harder to hold onto details.

Focus and Attention: Why Audio Leads to More Mistakes

Staying focused on information is harder when listening than when reading. The reason comes down to multitasking and mind-wandering.

The University of Delaware Study:

Researchers let college students choose to either read an article or listen to the same content via podcast. Later, both groups took a quiz on the material.

Results: "Students who read the material performed significantly better on a quiz than those who listened."

The key finding? Many listening students admitted to multitasking (like browsing the web) while the audio played. Reading students naturally gave their full attention to the text.

Nobel Prize Winner's Warning:

Psychologist Daniel Kahneman explains attention as a limited resource: "You dispose of a limited budget of attention that you can allocate to activities, and if you try to go beyond your budget, you will fail."

Audio tempts us to multitask. We listen to voice messages while checking emails or during commutes. This splits our attention and hurts comprehension.

The Mind-Wandering Problem:

Reading keeps you actively engaged with the content. If your mind wanders, you can quickly spot where you left off. With audio, if you tune out for a few seconds, the speaker doesn't stop and wait for you.

Your Brain Works Harder with Audio (Leading to Faster Fatigue)

Many people assume listening is easier than reading. Research suggests the opposite for complex work material.

Why Listening Is Mentally Taxing:

• Information keeps coming at the speaker's pace
• Your brain must hold the last sentence in mind while processing the next one
• No natural breaks to gather your thoughts
• Heavy reliance on working memory to juggle information

The Cognitive Load Research:

Studies highlighted in The Conversation explain that "listening can be harder than reading, especially when the material is complex or unfamiliar."

Reading engages visual processing and language circuits. Listening engages auditory processing and memory circuits. For workplace documents or instructions, reading taps into brain networks for strategic processing and goal-oriented attention.

Listener Fatigue Is Real:

Even people with normal hearing experience "listener fatigue" after extended periods of processing speech. This phenomenon is well-documented in audiology research.

Reading allows you to pause and refresh your mind periodically. This reduces the continuous load on your brain.

Practical Steps to Work Smarter with Text

Here's how to apply this research to your daily workflow:

1. Convert Voice Messages to Text

Use transcription tools to turn audio into readable text. You'll process the information faster and have a searchable record.

2. Request Written Instructions

When possible, ask colleagues to send important details in writing rather than voice messages.

3. Take Notes During Audio Meetings

If you must attend audio calls, take written notes. This engages your reading and writing systems for better retention.

4. Review Text Before Important Tasks

For critical instructions, convert audio to text and review the written version before starting work.

5. Use Text for Complex Information

Save audio for simple, casual communication. Use text for detailed instructions, data, or technical information.

Common Questions About Reading vs. Listening at Work

Q: Isn't listening more personal and human?

A: Audio can add personality through tone and emotion. But for task-oriented work where accuracy matters, text is more reliable.

Q: What about accessibility for people who struggle with reading?

A: Some people do process audio better due to learning differences or vision issues. The key is knowing your personal strengths and choosing the right format for the task.

Q: Can I speed up audio to match reading speed?

A: You can accelerate playback, but it's not as natural or efficient as reading faster or skimming text. Comprehension often suffers when audio is too fast.

How Transcribbit Solves the Audio vs. Text Challenge

This research reveals a clear workplace productivity gap. You receive important information through voice messages, but your brain processes text more efficiently.

Transcribbit bridges this gap by converting WhatsApp voice messages into accurate text instantly. Instead of replaying a 5-minute voice note multiple times, you can skim the transcript in seconds, highlight key points, and refer back to it anytime.

Here's how Transcribbit gives you the research-backed advantages of reading:

• 1.5x faster processing: Read transcripts at 238 words per minute vs. listening at 150 wpm (or slower, with replays)
• Better retention: Keep written records that stick in your memory longer
• Improved focus: Avoid the multitasking trap that hurts audio comprehension
• Reduced fatigue: Process information at your own pace without cognitive overload
• Searchable records: Find specific details instantly instead of scrubbing through audio

Your audio deletes automatically in 60 seconds for privacy, but you keep the searchable text forever.

Want to learn more about how Transcribbit works? Check out our how it works guide for a detailed walkthrough of the transcription process.

Sources and Research Citations

1. Brysbaert, M. (2019). How many words do we read per minute? Meta-analysis of reading rate. University of Ghent. reader.ku.edu
2. Write-out-Loud (2022). Typical speaking rates based on NCVS data. write-out-loud.com
3. Leroy, G., & Kauchak, D. (2019). JAMIA Open study on text vs audio comprehension and retention. researchgate.net
4. Daniel, D. & Woody, W. (2010). Teaching of Psychology - Reading vs listening comprehension experiment. Referenced in TIME. time.com
5. Del Tufo, Stephanie N. (2023). University of Delaware study on reading vs podcast listening. The Conversation. cehd.udel.edu
6. Willingham, D. (2018). Cognitive research on reading patterns and multitasking. Quoted in TIME. time.com
7. Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow - Attention as limited resource. goodreads.com
8. Carr, N. (2010). The Shallows - Deep reading and concentration research. goodreads.com
9. Say What Club. Listener fatigue research in audiology. saywhatclub.org
10. Science Alert. Brain network differences between reading and listening. sciencealert.com
11. Psychology Today (2023). Is Speed Listening Right for You? psychologytoday.com
12. Eden, T. (2022). Is it faster to read or to listen? Blog analysis of reading vs listening speeds. shkspr.mobi
13. McKinney, D., et al. (2009). They Hear, But Do Not Listen: Retention for Podcasted Material in a Classroom Context. researchgate.net