I've finished 10 audiobooks in the last 5 months, and I've started-and-returned about 4 books. In total that's around 80 hours of audiobook time and 40 hours of listening time (I listen on 2x). On top of that I listen to an equal amount of podcasts, so I think I can stand in for kb as avid audio-consumer. I mostly listen during train commutes, bike commutes, doing chores.

I like audiobooks, as they allow me to learn while doing boring / menial tasks. I don't often drive and listen, roads are just a bit too busy around here. Audiobooks are not the same as a phone conversation though - I can zone out of an audiobook when I need to and just rewind the book later. Phone conversations require much more attention, so much so that driving and calling can have an effect on your driving similar to being intoxicated.

While I agree that reading is much better for thoroughly / deeply understanding the book, I just read much much more because of audiobooks. The amount of non-academic books I've finished in the last year can be counted on one hand.

Besides, the performance of the narrator can add a lot. I found someone like Jon Ronson very entertaining to listen to. When the book is about something profound or about an emotional scene, it hits much harder when an actual person is talking to you.