Can you listen to music and read at the same time?

[Dube nwa]

Personally the two cannot go together especially when I'm reading an interesting book. However, I do know that some people can manage it so I guess it depends on the personality.

Whatever the case is, I think the nature of the book in question matters too. Someones just reading passively may be listening to music but may not in a more serious book.

[Varsha Bansal 1]

I think it depends on person to person. In my case, I like listening to only smooth instrumental music (without the lyrics). Lyrics make me distracted. Soft music keep up the flow.

[Lucybloom]

That's impossible for me ,I tend to take things one at a time,In such a situation I'll focus on the one that's entertaining,if the song is better I'll shift my attention and enjoy the music unknowingly.what's surprising is that I concentrate better when it's noisy in the background and not clear music,like in a noisy class or such .

[Mary Franco]

Yes, I love this technique especially when studying hard topics. If I'm not able to hear the music anymore, it means I'm in deep concentration.

[George Okello 2]

I can read and listen to music at the same time particularly if it is soothing music

[Jacqueline Torres 2]

I personally cannot listen to music or have any sound in the background while I’m reading. It makes me lose focus and or I find that I’m not retaining information.

[Brigitta Hegyi]

I can't listen to music while I am reading. I think it's too much, I need silence to activate my imagination.

[Anastasia Atkinson]

As someone with ADHD, I have to be listening to something when reading, even if it's ocean sounds or instrumentals. It helps me avoid getting antsy and avoid the feeling of not feeling productive. I also constantly listen to music as I also have a strong passion for music.

[Anja Graoroska 99]

It depends on what type of music I'm listening while reading and what I'm reading(book, poetry, textbook)

[London Baum]

Yes I can, it’s not as easy as it used to be but I can still have music going and also focus on a book

[Haniya Bareen Ishaq]

I adore both reading and music but can't handle them simultaneously. I find it difficult to focus with music in the background but sometimes I do listen to music while solving math problems.

[Lorna Walters 1]

I can read with music in the background. Instrumental music is my preference when I am reading.

[Tina Keefover]

If music or other background noise is playing while I’m reading, I mentally block it out. It doesn’t matter what’s playing, I won’t hear a word of it!

[janderson32]

No, I don't like sound when I'm reading. White noise sort of sounds (dishwasher, fan, etc.) are fine but any sort of words are distracting.

[FelinaAlpuertoPittman2859+]

I can listen to music and read at the same time as long as the quality of the music is soothing and not disruptive. An example of soothing music would be classical or a slow and calm piano instrumental. With this type of music I can focus and concentrate on a book I'm reading.