A method for controlling ambient sounds perceived by a user, the method comprising: determining a focus level based on a biometric signal associated with the user, the focus level indicating a level of concentration of the user; determining an ambient awareness level based on the focus level and a mapping between the focus level and the ambient awareness level, the ambient awareness level indicating one or more characteristics of ambient sounds to be perceived by the user, the mapping including a relationship between an ability of the user to concentrate on a task and an ability of the user to engage with a surrounding environment; and modifying at least one characteristic of an ambient sound perceived by the user based on the ambient awareness level, wherein modifying at least one characteristic of the ambient sound perceived by the user comprises: generating an ambient adjustment signal based on the ambient awareness level and an audio input signal received from a microphone in response to the ambient sound; and generating a speaker signal based on the ambient adjustment signal , wherein determining the ambient awareness level comprises: comparing the focus level to a threshold level; and if the focus level exceeds the threshold level, then setting the ambient awareness level equal to a first value, or if the focus level does not exceed the threshold level, then setting the ambient awareness level equal to a second value, and wherein the threshold level is determined based on a location of the user. determining a focus level based on a biometric signal associated with the user, the focus level indicating a level of concentration of the user; determining an ambient awareness level based on the focus level and a mapping between the focus level and the ambient awareness level, the ambient awareness level indicating one or more characteristics of ambient sounds to be perceived by the user, the mapping including a relationship between an ability of the user to concentrate on a task and an ability of the user to engage with a surrounding environment; and modifying at least one characteristic of an ambient sound perceived by the user based on the ambient awareness level, wherein modifying at least one characteristic of the ambient sound perceived by the user comprises: generating an ambient adjustment signal based on the ambient awareness level and an audio input signal received from a microphone in response to the ambient sound; and generating a speaker signal based on the ambient adjustment signal , generating an ambient adjustment signal based on the ambient awareness level and an audio input signal received from a microphone in response to the ambient sound; and generating a speaker signal based on the ambient adjustment signal , wherein determining the ambient awareness level comprises: comparing the focus level to a threshold level; and if the focus level exceeds the threshold level, then setting the ambient awareness level equal to a first value, or if the focus level does not exceed the threshold level, then setting the ambient awareness level equal to a second value, and comparing the focus level to a threshold level; and if the focus level exceeds the threshold level, then setting the ambient awareness level equal to a first value, or if the focus level does not exceed the threshold level, then setting the ambient awareness level equal to a second value, and wherein the threshold level is determined based on a location of the user. <EOS>