Text-to-speech uses computer-generated synthetic speech to read out each word of the eBook. No recording is made and there is no audio copy of the text created.
Listening to text-to-speech is a different experience to listening to an audio book as it uses synthetic speech rather than being read aloud by a human being, so tends to sound fairly robotic and does not interpret emotion or meaning. Some reading systems are now capable of speaking their menus and tables of contents, so that they are accessible to a blind user so long as the book content itself can be spoken.
Some reading systems have built-in text-to-speech capability or can be used with screenreaders, so that the user can listen to the book instead of, or at the same time as, reading the screen.
Enhanced edition eBooks can contain embedded recorded audio which is played back on compatible reading systems. Some reading systems also support text highlighting as the eBook is read aloud.
Allowing text-to-speech
Sometimes this can only be switched on if the eBook creator allows text-to-speech to be used with their book. Someone who cannot read the screen is reliant on the text being read aloud, so this feature is essential for blind users. Many people who are partially sighted or have dyslexia also find it difficult to read text visually, especially for a lengthy period, and find it very helpful to be able to listen.
Some will rely entirely on listening, others may prefer to listen simultaneously with reading visually. Text-to-speech can also benefit people who have physical disabilities that make it difficult to turn pages or to hold a reading device for any length of time.
Watch our video about text-to-speech and eBooks