Hearing is the physical act of receiving a sound. We hear all of the noises around us. Listening is the active process of receiving, paying attention to, assigning meaning to, and responding to sounds. Listening is an active process whereas hearing is reflexive.

Understanding listening is important because effective listening behaviors are related to success in our personal relationships, our workplace productivity, and even our ability to think clearly.

Listening is generally divided into active, empathic, critical, and enjoyment listening. Active listening, which is listening with a purpose, includes both empathic and critical listening. Empathic listening is when you are attempting to understand another person. For example, hearing your best friend complain about the behaviors of a significant other involves empathic listening. Critical listening requires evaluating a speaker's message for accuracy, meaningfulness, and usefulness. Listening to a salesperson's pitch requires careful critical listening behaviors. In addition to listening for pragmatic reasons, we also listen to things like music for enjoyment purposes.

A variety of internal and external barriers prevent many of us from being effective listeners. One barrier is noise, which includes both physical distractions and internal distractions. Physical distractions are any audible noises in the communication environment. Internal distractions can include mental, factual, or semantic distractions. Perceptions of others and your own behaviors can also become barriers to effective listening.

Critical thinking involves careful analysis of both the communication situation and the message of the speaker. Analyzing the situation requires that you carefully understand the communication situation in which you are involved. Analyzing the message involves evaluating the arguments and supporting material presented by the speaker, whether the speaker is presenting observations or inferences, and whether or not the speaker is credible.

Verbal and nonverbal communication can be used to help you improve your listening behaviors. Asking questions, inviting additional comments, using descriptive responses, and providing affirming statements are all examples of effective verbal strategies. Being nonverbally responsive, using positive facial expressions, making direct eye contact, and providing positive vocal utterances are effective nonverbal strategies. Use of such strategies will encourage the speaker to continue speaking and providing you with information so that you can check your understanding.

General verbal and nonverbal communication strategies can be adapted to specific listening situations including the workplace, classroom, and mediated environment.

Ethical listening means that you should recognize and monitor your own communication style, apply general ethical principles to your responses, and adapt your communication style to others.