Towards a Personal Audio Space in Homes: Investigating Future Sound Management with Personal Audio Technologies

Personal audio technologies empower individuals to manage their own auditory environment, affording control over both digital and real-world sounds. However, this control comes at a potential cost to social interaction, awareness of surroundings, and safety. This paper explores and investigates leveraging personal audio technologies as mediators in establishing personal audio spaces in homes. Our research methodology consisted of two key phases. Initially, a series of design workshops involving 16 participants were conducted to explore potential enhancements to everyday listening situations through technology. Subsequently, a within-subjects mixed-method study with 18 participants was undertaken to investigate the user experience of employing personal audio technologies to create a personalised audio space. The findings provide insights into future opportunities for listening practices, audio content, interpersonal listening, enhancing listening experiences as well as experiential components. Drawing from our results, we engage in a discussion on the potential manifestations of personal audio spaces, while also addressing current technological limitations and suggesting avenues for future research directions.