Hearing, Listening and Actively Listening ~ Differences that Matter

Dear Learning Partners:

Did you realize that we often use the words hearing and listening interchangeably, as if they were synonyms. They are not. Hearing is an involuntary act, whereas listening is voluntary. Look at the picture above. Is this baby hearing or listening?

Hearing is a passive process. Sounds travel through the air, enter the ear canal, and bombard the eardrum. Hearing does not require understanding. Our brain does not necessarily attach meaning to what is heard.

Listening, on the other hand, is an active behavior and requires focus and comprehension. During many conversations, instead of listening, we simply wait for a pause in the conversation so we can speak. Rather than processing what is being said, we are busy formulating our response. Oftentimes the listener is racing ahead thinking about what they want to say rather than building on what the speaker is saying.

Listening requires us to focus on what is being said. Having meaningful dialogues rather than parallel monologues is part of a thoughtful conversation. Once focused, we consciously engage with one another by paying attention to: words, vocal tone, and nonverbal cues. Nodding, smiling, and eye contact also provide the speaker with feedback. Asking open-ended questions, allows for our brains to process messages, assign meaning, and formulate responses.

Being an active listener is a core component of successful communication. To have effective conversations, requires hearing, listening and actively listening at the same time. While asking questions and seeking clarification, the speaker summarizes what has been said, to enhance understanding of the conversation. This helps to prevent misunderstandings that lead to communication breakdowns.

Effective conversations lead to successful communication!