Listening and hearing are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings.
Hearing is a passive, involuntary act that occurs when sound waves reach the ear and are processed by the auditory system. It is a physical process, and it doesn’t require conscious effort. For example, when someone is in a room with people talking, they can hear the sound of the voices even if they are not paying attention to the content of the conversation.
Listening, on the other hand, is an active and voluntary process that involves paying attention to the sounds that are being heard and interpreting them to understand their meaning. Listening requires concentration and mental effort. It involves not only hearing the words being spoken but also understanding their context and meaning. For example, when a friend is sharing a personal story, actively focusing on their words, understanding their emotions, and providing a thoughtful response demonstrates active listening.
In summary, hearing is the physical process of perceiving sound, while listening is the active process of making an effort to understand and interpret the sounds being heard.
It Love
Jim Villamor