It's different. I think if you are interested in the subject, then you retain it. Also because you can do other things at the same time, you can listen to say t

It's different. I think if you are interested in the subject, then you retain it. Also because you can do other things at the same time, you can listen to say three different books on one subject rather than read one book on that subject - that way you get differing viewpoints, which also aid retention. When I first started listening to audiobooks I did find that my mind would wander, but I've discovered that if I play the audiobooks at a slightly faster speed, I have to pay attention more and so my mind doesn't wander so easily.