Anyone listen to audiobooks while trying to go to sleep?

Sydney's Mom · 01-23-2016, 01:06 PM

I have read while trying to go to sleep for years and years. I read until the words get blurry, and then shut my kindle and go to sleep.

For a brief period in my 20s, I went to sleep to the TV. I played the same movie every night, and feel asleep to it.

Now that I am getting older (the big 6-0 is creeping up), I have pretty bad insomnia. So I thought maybe listening to audiobooks would work like the TV did. I have been listening to twilight zone radio. But it doesn't seem to be working any better, although I have only tried it for a couple nights.

Anyone else fall asleep listening to audiobooks? Does one type do better than another?

Thanks,

Debra

Cosimo · 01-23-2016, 01:45 PM

Yes, I've done this. It always puts me to sleep. I end up repeating chapters because I don't know where exactly I drifted off, but that doesn't bother me. Waking up with an ear bud still in my ear can be a little annoying, but my husband is a light sleeper.

leebase · 01-23-2016, 02:05 PM

I go to sleep with podcasts where Imdont particularly care if I miss something

Phogg · 01-23-2016, 02:08 PM

To get to sleep quickly, look for a radio infomercial about refinancing your mortgage.

issybird · 01-23-2016, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

Anyone else fall asleep listening to audiobooks? Does one type do better than another?

This is tough. Obviously a riveting read is not what the doctor ordered, because you'll stay awake for sheer interest. But something stultifying is wrong, too, because you already can't sleep and why make yourself even more miserable? And then there's the question of how important it is to retain the information you're hearing, because you don't want to have to concentrate.

So, going out on a limb here, how about poetry? The meter could be a soporific (obviously no free verse) and poems benefit from rereading, or relistening in this case. Kind of like that movie.

I've only occasionally listened to an audiobook in bed, but I recommend using a sleep timer. No harm if/when you need to restart it, but it makes finding where you left off much easier.

FizzyWater · 01-23-2016, 07:03 PM

In general, I'd say if I was already having trouble sleeping, it doesn't help me sleep. I end up listening to the story (as opposed to just having it "on for background noise"). On a normal night, I can definitely fall asleep with one playing, though.

copyrite · 01-23-2016, 08:26 PM

I don't usually have issues falling asleep but when I do I pick an Audible title I've already listened to/read so when I fall asleep and it keeps playing a bit I don't miss anything.

Catlady · 01-23-2016, 09:52 PM

No, the earbuds would bother me too much. I usually watch some old TV sitcom instead.

Tarana · 01-23-2016, 11:24 PM

I found that listening to audiobooks while going to sleep actually made insomnia worse. I pick music or other stuff that I find relaxing and play that on low. I now have a Cpap and actually found the Darth Vader affect from one of my masks really helped me sleep far better than the soundless one.

tubemonkey · 01-24-2016, 12:26 AM

No audiobooks for me. I prefer music or nature sounds set on a timer. The Echo works great for this.

Apache · 01-24-2016, 08:06 AM

I do not use the TV or Audio books to get to sleep. I have never had any problems going to sleep. I close my eyes and I am asleep within two minutes. I also wake up instantly. I have never been one who wakes up gradually. I go to from being asleep to being wide awake. My wife thinks I am weird.

Apache

silverraven · 01-24-2016, 01:54 PM

Ah, insomnia. That is definitely one of those getting older things that we aren't warned about!!
Mine is getting worse every year. Audio books really help me. I have found that male voices work as opposed to female voices. And I have to listen to the same books over and over and over again. I have a dedicated mp3 player just for night time use. (indestructible in case I roll over on it) It is loaded with every Terry Pratchett audio book I have bought through the years. I love the books and know exactly how they will end, but still interesting enough to not let my mind start wandering and keep me awake. I've also done the first Harry Potter book.
My mom listens to talk radio. Something like Coast to Coast. She doesn't care much what they are saying as much as the voice. It lulls her to sleep again.
If I do music I find I'm staying awake waiting to see what the next song is. Three minutes isn't long enough for my mind to doze off again.
So all I can advise is find a voice you like and find all the books that person does. Don't get anything stimulating though, or it will keep you awake listening. I find narrators that sound like my math teachers in High School. I could always fall asleep in those classes!!
S

LSM · 01-24-2016, 06:20 PM

My go-to aid is to listen to congressional hearings on CSpan. I never watch, only listen and I set the volume a click too low so I have to strain to hear it. Before long I'm sound asleep.

silverraven · 01-24-2016, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSM

My go-to aid is to listen to congressional hearings on CSpan. I never watch, only listen and I set the volume a click too low so I have to strain to hear it. Before long I'm sound asleep.

Good one! Though I might get too angry at what they are doing to be able to doze off!

S

tubemonkey · 01-24-2016, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverraven

Good one! Though I might get too angry at what they are doing to be able to doze off!

S

Same here!

01-23-2016, 01:06 PM	#1
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,895 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	Anyone listen to audiobooks while trying to go to sleep? I have read while trying to go to sleep for years and years. I read until the words get blurry, and then shut my kindle and go to sleep. For a brief period in my 20s, I went to sleep to the TV. I played the same movie every night, and feel asleep to it. Now that I am getting older (the big 6-0 is creeping up), I have pretty bad insomnia. So I thought maybe listening to audiobooks would work like the TV did. I have been listening to twilight zone radio. But it doesn't seem to be working any better, although I have only tried it for a couple nights. Anyone else fall asleep listening to audiobooks? Does one type do better than another? Thanks, Debra

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01-23-2016, 01:45 PM	#2
Cosimo Groupie Posts: 160 Karma: 3337854 Join Date: Jun 2014 Device: Kobo Glo HD	Yes, I've done this. It always puts me to sleep. I end up repeating chapters because I don't know where exactly I drifted off, but that doesn't bother me. Waking up with an ear bud still in my ear can be a little annoying, but my husband is a light sleeper.

01-23-2016, 02:05 PM	#3
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,938 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	I go to sleep with podcasts where Imdont particularly care if I miss something

01-23-2016, 02:08 PM	#4
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	To get to sleep quickly, look for a radio infomercial about refinancing your mortgage.

01-23-2016, 07:03 PM	#6
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	In general, I'd say if I was already having trouble sleeping, it doesn't help me sleep. I end up listening to the story (as opposed to just having it "on for background noise"). On a normal night, I can definitely fall asleep with one playing, though.

01-23-2016, 08:26 PM	#7
copyrite Wizard Posts: 1,814 Karma: 4985051 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryland Device: ...lots! ;) mostly reading on a Kindle Voyage	I don't usually have issues falling asleep but when I do I pick an Audible title I've already listened to/read so when I fall asleep and it keeps playing a bit I don't miss anything.

01-23-2016, 09:52 PM	#8
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,345 Karma: 52398889 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	No, the earbuds would bother me too much. I usually watch some old TV sitcom instead.

01-23-2016, 11:24 PM	#9
Tarana Wizard Posts: 3,983 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I found that listening to audiobooks while going to sleep actually made insomnia worse. I pick music or other stuff that I find relaxing and play that on low. I now have a Cpap and actually found the Darth Vader affect from one of my masks really helped me sleep far better than the soundless one.

01-24-2016, 12:26 AM	#10
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,481 Karma: 158151390 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	No audiobooks for me. I prefer music or nature sounds set on a timer. The Echo works great for this.

01-24-2016, 08:06 AM	#11
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,148 Karma: 90000000 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	I do not use the TV or Audio books to get to sleep. I have never had any problems going to sleep. I close my eyes and I am asleep within two minutes. I also wake up instantly. I have never been one who wakes up gradually. I go to from being asleep to being wide awake. My wife thinks I am weird. Apache

01-24-2016, 01:54 PM	#12
silverraven Guru Posts: 967 Karma: 3438612 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4NTB x 4	Ah, insomnia. That is definitely one of those getting older things that we aren't warned about!! Mine is getting worse every year. Audio books really help me. I have found that male voices work as opposed to female voices. And I have to listen to the same books over and over and over again. I have a dedicated mp3 player just for night time use. (indestructible in case I roll over on it) It is loaded with every Terry Pratchett audio book I have bought through the years. I love the books and know exactly how they will end, but still interesting enough to not let my mind start wandering and keep me awake. I've also done the first Harry Potter book. My mom listens to talk radio. Something like Coast to Coast. She doesn't care much what they are saying as much as the voice. It lulls her to sleep again. If I do music I find I'm staying awake waiting to see what the next song is. Three minutes isn't long enough for my mind to doze off again. So all I can advise is find a voice you like and find all the books that person does. Don't get anything stimulating though, or it will keep you awake listening. I find narrators that sound like my math teachers in High School. I could always fall asleep in those classes!! S

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01-24-2016, 06:20 PM	#13
LSM Member Posts: 16 Karma: 168720 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: nook	My go-to aid is to listen to congressional hearings on CSpan. I never watch, only listen and I set the volume a click too low so I have to strain to hear it. Before long I'm sound asleep.