I've never heard of anyone actually just sitting on the couch and listening to an audiobook while doing nothing else. It's usually while doing some other mundane activity that doesn't require much thought. Or at least something that doesn't require the language part of your brain so you can do them at the same time. I can't work and listen because my work involves thinking about words.
But at all times I am in the middle of a paper book and an audiobook. I listen to the audiobook when driving, doing chores and am in the shower. All other times I will read the paper book I am in the middle of.