Hearing and Listening: Understanding the Basic Differences

Adler and Rodman define hearing as the passive physiological process where sound waves enter the ear and are transmitted to the brain without conscious processing or interpretation. Hearing, according to these scholars, is an involuntary function of the human body and does not require effort or intent. It serves as a biological response to sound that occurs automatically, provided the auditory system functions properly. This process does not guarantee that the listener will engage with or retain the information conveyed through sound(Adler & Rodman, 2012,p.47).

In contrast, listening is an active, purposeful process that involves both concentration and cognitive engagement. Wolvin and Coakley (1996) describe listening as “a deliberate process of receiving, understanding, and interpreting sound with the goal of making sense of what is being communicated”. Unlike hearing, listening requires mental engagement and interpretation. It involves decoding the message, processing its meaning, and responding in a way that demonstrates understanding. Listening is thus an intentional act that goes beyond merely perceiving sound waves and involves attention to the context and nuances of spoken words (Wolvin & Coakley ,1996 ,p.88).

Listening differs from hearing in terms of attention and awareness. Hearing is automatic, while listening demands focus, mindfulness, and the ability to filter out distractions. Brownell points out that effective listening involves selective attention, where a person consciously chooses what to focus on amidst various auditory stimuli. Without active listening skills, information is likely to go unnoticed, misinterpreted, or forgotten. Thus, listening not only involves attentiveness but also a willingness to engage with the speaker’s message(Brownell, 2013,p. 23).

References

Adler, R. B., & Rodman, G. (2012). Understanding human communication (11th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Brownell, J. (2013). Listening: Attitudes, principles, and skills (6th ed.).Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Wolvin, A. & Coakley, C. (1996). Listening (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.