Hearing vs. Listening
“Many people use the words “hearing” and “listening” interchangeably; however, there are several important differences between the two,” says Kelly Workman, PsyD, a psychologist at Columbia University Medical Center. According to Workman, hearing is the passive intake of sound while listening is the act of intentionally working to comprehend the sounds [e.g., words or background noises] you hear.
Kelly Workman, PsyD
The saying ‘In one ear, out the other’ speaks to the difference between hearing and listening.
— Kelly Workman, PsyD
Hearing
Passive
Involuntary
Requires no effort
Physiological perception of sound
Listening
Active
Voluntary
Requires effort
Intentional interpretation of sound
Hearing
Hearing is a passive, involuntary, and sensory process in which we perceive sounds. It is a physiological response that involves our perception of sound. It does not require focused attention.
For example, if you’re watching television, you can still hear the sound of traffic or sirens outside, your neighbor’s dog barking, and people laughing in the hallway.
Listening
Listening is an active, voluntary, and intentional process that involves making sense of the words and sounds you hear; it requires your attention. In turn, you may develop an emotional response to what you hear. Listening with the intent to understand is referred to as active listening.
For example, if you’re listening to someone talk about a difficult day they had at work, you will probably have your full attention focused on them. As they speak, you will start to understand what their experience was like and the impact it had on them. This will help you make thoughtful comments and ask relevant questions to further understand their experience.
Frequently Asked Question:
What is the difference between hearing and listening Jrotc?
Hearing is the taking in of sound; listening is the attachment of meaning to the sound.
What is the main difference between hearing and listening?
Merriam-Webster defines hearing as the “process, function, or power of perceiving sound; specifically: the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli.” Listening, on the other hand, means “to pay attention to sound; to hear something with thoughtful attention; and to give consideration.”
Which is better listening or hearing?
Hearing is much easier than listening because hearing is an involuntary physical ability involving the ears. No conscious effort is required. As one of the five senses, hearing happens all the time and is the involuntary receiving of sound vibrations or waves through our ears.
What is the definition of the word hearing Jrotc?
hearing. to perceive by the ear; to listen attentively. You just studied 17 terms!
How would you classify listening from hearing?
Hearing is the physical process that your body goes through as sound hits our ear drums. It is a passive activity where we don’t have to actively engage our brain to do that activity. Listening, on the other hand, is an active process that requires effort on our part – we actually have to consciously think to listen!
What are the differences between hearing and listening?
Merriam-Webster defines hearing as the “process, function, or power of perceiving sound; specifically: the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli.” Listening, on the other hand, means “to pay attention to sound; to hear something with thoughtful attention; and to give consideration.”
What is the difference between hearing and listening Why is listening important?
The hearing is nothing but a sense that helps you receive sound waves and noise by ears. … It is the power of perceiving sounds. On the contrary, listening is when you receive the sound waves and understand it by paying full attention to the words and sentences of the speaker.
What is the definition of hearing Brainly?
The Definition of hearing is faculty of perceiving sounds.
How does talking differ from speaking hearing from listening Brainly?
Answer: for me, hearing is just using your ears to hear what someone is saying without putting it to mind while listening is when you analyze the information given by the person you’re talking to.
What is the main difference between listening and hearing?
Merriam-Webster defines hearing as the “process, function, or power of perceiving sound; specifically: the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli.” Listening, on the other hand, means “to pay attention to sound; to hear something with thoughtful attention; and to give consideration.”
What is the difference between hearing and listening explain with real life examples?
Hear means that sounds come into your ears whether you want it or not, while listen means that you consciously pay attention to what you hear, that is you want to hear something: … – I’m listening, but I can’t hear anything. – We heard a terrible noise when the cars crashed in front of our house.
Which is better listening or hearing?
Hearing is much easier than listening because hearing is an involuntary physical ability involving the ears. No conscious effort is required. As one of the five senses, hearing happens all the time and is the involuntary receiving of sound vibrations or waves through our ears.
What is the similarities between listening and hearing?
Listening is very important to do on a daily basis. The biggest similarity between listening and hearing is that both words use your ears. Hearing is also a part of your 5 senses, which most of us were born with the ability to do. Listening is having an understanding of what someone said to you.
What is the difference between hearing and listening explain with examples?
The hearing is nothing but a sense that helps you receive sound waves and noise by ears. … It is the power of perceiving sounds. On the contrary, listening is when you receive the sound waves and understand it by paying full attention to the words and sentences of the speaker.
Which is better listening or hearing?
Hearing is much easier than listening because hearing is an involuntary physical ability involving the ears. No conscious effort is required. As one of the five senses, hearing happens all the time and is the involuntary receiving of sound vibrations or waves through our ears.
Is hearing the same as active listening?
Listening is an active process – you have to engage in the act of listening. Hearing is a passive action that occurs naturally, even while we’re asleep. Hearing is an ability you’re born with, while listening is a learned skill that is developed over time with practice.
What is the difference between hearing and listening Brainly?
Hearing is receiving sound waves through your ears, while listening means hearing and understanding what you’ve heard. Hearing is simply the act of perceiving sound by the ear. Listening, however, is something you consciously choose to do.
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Content: Hearing Vs Listening
- Comparison Chart
- Definition
- Key Differences
- Conclusion
Comparison Chart
| Meaning | Hearing refers to one's ability to perceive sounds, by receiving vibrations through ears. | Listening is something done consciously, that involve the analysis and understanding of the sounds you hear. |
| What is it? | An ability | A skill |
| Nature | Primary and continuous | Secondary and temporary |
| Act | Physiological | Psychological |
| Involves | Receipt of message through ears. | Interpretation of the message received by ears. |
| Process | Passive bodily process | Active mental process |
| Occurs at | Subconscious level | Conscious level |
| Use of senses | Only one | More than one |
| Reason | We are neither aware nor we have any control over the sounds we hear. | We listen to acquire knowledge and receive information. |
| Concentration | Not required | Required |
Definition of Hearing
The natural ability or an inborn trait that allows us to recognize sound through ears by catching vibrations is called the hearing. In simple terms, it is one of the five senses; that makes us aware of the sound. It is an involuntary process, whereby a person receives sound vibrations, continuously.
A normal human being’s hearing capability ranges from 20 to 20000 Hertz, called as audio or sonic. Any frequency above and below the given range is known as ultrasonic and infrasonic respectively.
Definition of Listening
Listening is defined as the learned skill, in which we can receive sounds through ears, and transform them into meaningful messages. To put simply, it is the process of diligently hearing and interpreting the meaning of words and sentences spoken by the speaker, during the conversation.
Listening is a bit difficult, because it requires concentration and attention, and the human mind is easily distracted. People use it as a technique to comprehend, what is being said, through different verbal and non-verbal signs, i.e. how it is being said? What type of words is used? Tone and pitch of voice, body language and so on.
Active listening is the key element; that makes the communication process effective. Further, it encompasses making sounds that show listener’s attentiveness and providing feedback. It had a greater influence in our lives and used to gain information, learn and understand things and so on.
Defining hearing vs. listening
The definition of hearing has more to do with the physiological act of hearing sounds than it does with making sense and connecting with the person who’s talking to you.
Merriam-Webster defines hearing as the “process, function, or power of perceiving sound; specifically: the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli.”
Listening, on the other hand, means “to pay attention to sound; to hear something with thoughtful attention; and to give consideration.”
Clinical psychologist Kevin Gilliland, PsyD, says the difference between the two is night and day.
“Hearing is like collecting data,” he explains.
The act of hearing is rather simple and basic. Listening, on the other hand, is three-dimensional. “People that excel at work, or in marriage or friendships, are ones that have honed their ability to listen,” says Gilliland.