• Listening and hearing are two different processes, although they are considered as one and the same.

• There is theoretical and scientific difference between listening and hearing. In simple words, listening is an act of hearing attentively.

• The process of hearing is natural, unintentional and ongoing. It never stops. On the contrary, the process of listening is intentional, systematic and specific. It requires focus.

• A hearer does not require efforts to hear sounds, noise, calls and utterances whereas all of listening requires serious efforts and attention. Hearing involves the process by which sound waves enter the ears.

• Listening is the comprehension of what is said, and it should result in metal reaction.

• Listening skills need to be taught systematically and methodologically whereas hearing ability comes automatically.

• The aim of hearing sound or utterances is to receive those sounds. But listening is aims at bringing behavioural changes in the person.

• Example of listening- When you are sitting in a lecture and listening to professor

Example of hearing- When a cup falls down from platform

Techniques for becoming an effective listener are as follows:

• Motivate yourself to listen:

  Listeners should motivate their mind to listen to the speaker carefully. They should prepare themselves to listen to others willingly. Listening cannot be forced or imposed on the person. Individuals should know the value and importance of listening. They should practice self-motivation techniques before they attend the speakers. Once the listeners are motivated, the speaker’s job becomes easy.

• Respect the speaker:

  Listeners should have full respect for the speaker. They should not underestimate the speaker’s ideas and thoughts. Even if, listeners disagree with some of the ideas of the speaker, they should know their disagreement assertively. The listeners should be open to new ideas and new people.

• Remove horn’s effect:

  The listeners should try to look at the world through rose coloured spectacles. Do not underestimate a person because he has couple of flaws in his behaviour. Many people are like rough diamonds. They need to be understood carefully.

• Positive body language:

  Listeners should maintain positive non-verbal clues during the speech. They should nod their head, lean forward; maintain erect posture, during the communication. Moreover, listeners should not create any type of distractions by using unnecessary body movements and facial expressions.

• Do not interpolate:

  Listeners should avoid interrupting the speaker unnecessarily.

• Manage your mood:

  The listener should manage his mood carefully. He should be interested in the speech.

• Improve your listening span:

  Listeners should get systematic training for enhancing their span of active listening.