Edison Research: Pandemic Drives Lasting Shift In U.S. At-Home Audio Listening.

U.S. audio listening habits shifted sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic and have since settled into what Edison Research describes as a lasting change.

Trended data from its Share of Ear study show that daily audio listening time spent at home rose significantly during the pandemic and remains higher than before 2020.

From 2015 to 2019, just over half of all daily audio listening occurred at home, averaging slightly more than 52% during that period.

That figure increased sharply in 2020, when 59% of daily audio listening took place at home. Edison Research attributed the increase to widespread changes brought on by the pandemic, including office work shifting into homes and the adoption of social distancing practices.

Elevated at-home listening levels continued through 2021 and 2022, a period marked by uncertainty over whether daily life would return to pre-pandemic patterns.

Beginning in 2023, the data suggest the emergence of a “new normal.” From 2023 through 2025, the average share of audio listening done at home was 55%, reflecting ongoing changes in work habits, including the continued prevalence of working from home at least part of the week.