What's The Difference Between Hearing and Listening?

You keep nodding your head, but you’re not absorbing a single word the other person is saying.

That’s the difference between hearing and listening.

It’s frustrating, but it happens to the best of us.

Close-up young women talking, while sitting in bunk bed

Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

Sometimes, our minds drift to other thoughts.

Hearing

Hearing is a passive, involuntary sensory process in which we perceive sounds.

It is a physiological response that involves our perception of sound.

It does not require focused attention.

In turn, you may develop an emotional response to what you hear.

Listening with the intent to understand is referred to asactive listening.

Conversations that involve active listening are positive and rewarding experiences.

She explains the role these functions play in our mental health.

Hearing is a critical sense that helps us navigate the world.

Listening is what enables us to develop increased curiosity about other peoples experiences, increasedcompassionandempathy, and increased connection.

Many of us have experienced moments where we felt unheard.

Those times can leave us feeling undervalued, uncared for, and quite alone.

It’s understandable how these feelings can lead to emotions like shame, anxiety, and depression.

Listening and engaging with others can strengthen your relationships.

“People often listen with the intent to respond rather than the intent to understand.

This means that they are relying more on hearing than listening,” says Workman.

Fortunately, listening is a skill you might learn and strengthen.

Remember, listening is an active process.

That means it’s crucial that you both mentally and verbally participate.

Pay attention to signals that will help you deepen the listening experience.

There are in fact steps it’s possible for you to take to become a better listener.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.How do we hear?

2018;49(6): doi:10.1017/s0033291718003409