I use audiobooks to help fall asleep all the time. I usually set the sleep timer for 15 minutes, and I use the "shake to reset timer" option if I haven't fallen asleep by the end of the 15 minutes. The app I use keeps track of where I start, so if I fall asleep I can go back to the point I started up from.
I use
Sleepphones, they don't disturb my husband and are comfortable to wear while sleeping. I sleep on my side, and I don't feel the headphones at all through the headband.