Listening vs. Hearing
There are significant differences between processes such as listening and hearing. Hearing is the perception of sound through which noise and tones are transmitted to a person as stimuli. On the other hand, listening is a more complex process in which the brain plays a leading role. It is noted that it is a “learned skill, in which we can receive sounds through ears and transform them into meaningful messages” (Surbhi, 2023, para. 7). Understanding the differences between these processes is critical.
Factors Influencing Listening
Listening behavior can change significantly depending on the situations in which individuals find themselves. Hence, at a concert, it can be converted to the performer and the words in the song. This is because they convey a specific meaning and message that can resonate with the audience. Listening behavior may be less focused and more focused on hearing when discussing a symphonic concert without words.
The importance of the listening process also increases in the classroom, as it involves the transfer and memorization of knowledge. This aspect can also be applied to visiting a doctor whose referrals are necessary to cure a health problem. Listening behavior will also be required at the dinner table with your parents, as this is a process through which relationships are formed and strengthened.
Barriers to Listening
In each of these situations, one or another listening barrier may arise. For example, when interacting with parents, visiting a doctor, or in a classroom, an individual’s attention span has a significant impact. In other words, it is possible to be distracted by one’s thoughts, TV, image, or extraneous sound.
A similar situation can happen at a concert, where another person distracts attention, or the phone can become a barrier. To increase the efficiency of listening in each of these situations, I would remove the phone as my primary distraction. Additionally, I would strive to establish stronger connections with those who speak and carefully analyze the information received.
Reference
Surbhi, S. (2023). Difference between hearing and listening. Key differences. Web.