Listen – to make a conscious effort to hear; attend closely, so as to hear
Hear – to perceive or sense sounds by the ear
There’s a big difference between listening and hearing. According to this website, “We use our ears to hear and our brains to listen”. I think that’s the best way to describe it.
It’s frustrating when I’m trying to talk to someone and they’re not really listening. They hear that I’m talking, because the sound of my voice is a dead giveaway, but they’re not listening. They don’t take in anything that I say. We all know people like this – people who are paying attention to everything and everyone else around them, people who are so busy talking that they can’t listen to anyone else, and people who only listen long enough to come up with the next topic they want to talk about. They can’t wait to jump in and start talking again, and two-way conversations end up being me listening to a monologue. I end up feeling more drained and frustrated after trying to talk to these people than I did before, and it leaves me wondering why I even bother.
How do you tell someone who can’t listen to do just that?
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Hi Kirsten
Good point “We use our ears to hear and our brains to listen”
Never thought of it like that but you are right.
I hear pretty well but I don’t listen.
Instead of a hearing aid, perhaps I need a listening aid. LOL
I take your point and I will try harder.
Hi Keith, thanks for visiting! I’m really happy I found that quote, because it perfectly sums up the difference between listening and hearing. Listening requires a consciuos effort to understand the message, which unfortunately too few people know how to do. I hope you can use that thought on your blog – public speaking and blogging really aren’t that different!