Hear vs. Listen — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 20, 2024
Hearing is the involuntary act of perceiving sound through the ear, while listening is the voluntary process of actively paying attention to and processing sounds.
Difference Between Hear and Listen
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hearing is a passive physical ability that involves the perception of sounds by the ear without any deliberate effort. It is an automatic response to sound waves reaching the ear. Whereas, listening is an active process that requires conscious effort to understand and interpret the sounds being heard. It involves not only the perception of sound but also attention, decoding, and comprehension.
Hearing is one of the five senses and is crucial for daily survival, allowing individuals to be aware of their surroundings by detecting sounds. On the other hand, listening is a skill that can be developed and improved over time, playing a key role in effective communication by enabling the listener to receive and understand the message being conveyed.
While hearing is always ongoing, listening can be selective, with the listener choosing what to pay attention to and what to ignore. This selective nature of listening makes it a critical component in learning, interpersonal relationships, and professional settings.
Hearing does not necessarily lead to understanding, as it merely involves the reception of sound. Listening, however, involves interpreting the sounds and making sense of them, which is essential for understanding the speaker's intent and message.
Although hearing is a function that works constantly, listening requires a focus that can be interrupted or hindered by distractions, lack of interest, or even bias. Effective listening thus requires more than just hearing; it demands active engagement and mental processing.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Perceiving sound through the ear.
Actively paying attention and processing sounds.
Effort
Passive, requires no conscious effort.
Active, requires conscious effort and attention.
Skill
Natural ability, not a skill.
Considered a skill that can be developed.
Purpose
Awareness of environment.
Understanding and interpreting messages.
Selectivity
Non-selective, automatic.
Selective, based on focus and interest.
Compare with Definitions
Hear
The physical process of sound waves entering the ear and being interpreted by the brain.
I could hear the distant sound of a train passing by.
Listen
A skill that can be developed with practice and effort.
Over the years, she improved her ability to listen and empathize with others.
Hear
Present in most individuals from birth and does not typically require training.
Newborns can hear and react to various sounds.
Listen
The act of consciously paying attention to sounds in order to understand and interpret them.
Listen carefully to the instructions before beginning the test.
Hear
Merely involves the reception of sound without understanding.
I could hear the conversation, but I couldn't understand the language.
Listen
An active process that involves mental engagement and focus.
You need to listen closely to grasp the complexities of the lecture.
Hear
Essential for survival, as it alerts individuals to potential dangers.
Hearing the fire alarm allowed everyone to evacuate in time.
Listen
Critical for learning, communication, and forming relationships.
Listening to each other helped resolve the misunderstanding.
Hear
An involuntary, automatic sense that does not require active engagement.
Even in sleep, we can hear sounds around us.
Listen
Requires a quiet environment or focus to effectively process information.
I find it hard to listen to the podcast in a noisy room.
Hear
Perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something)
Behind her she could hear men's voices
She had never been heard to complain
He did not hear very well
Listen
Give one's attention to a sound
Evidently he was not listening
Sit and listen to the radio
Hear
Will or would not allow or agree to
I won't hear of such idiocy
Listen
An act of listening to something
Radio plays are definitely worth a listen
Hear
To perceive (sound) by the ear
Can you hear the signal?.
Listen
To make an effort to hear something
Listen to the radio.
Listen for the bell that ends class.
Hear
To learn by hearing; be told by others
I heard she got married.
Listen
To pay attention; heed
“She encouraged me to listen carefully to what country people called mother wit” (Maya Angelou).
Hear
To listen to (something) attentively or in an official capacity, as in a court
Heard the last witness in the afternoon.
Listen
An act of listening
Would you like to give the CD a listen before buying it?.
Hear
To listen to and consider favorably
Lord, hear my prayer!.
Listen
(intransitive) To pay attention to a sound or speech.
Please listen carefully as I explain.
I like to listen to music.
Hear
To attend or participate in
Hear Mass.
Listen
(intransitive) To expect or wait for a sound, such as a signal.
You should listen for the starting gun.
Hear
To be capable of perceiving sound.
Listen
(intransitive) To accept advice or obey instruction; to agree or assent.
Listen, the only reason I yelled at you was because I was upset, OK?
Good children listen to their parents.
Hear
To receive news or information; learn
I heard about your accident.
Listen
To hear (something or someone), to pay attention to.
Hear
To consider, permit, or consent to something. Used only in the negative
I won't hear of your going!.
Listen
An instance of listening.
Give the motor a listen and tell me if it sounds off.
Hear
To perceive sounds through the ear.
I was deaf, and now I can hear.
Listen
To give close attention with the purpose of hearing; to give ear; to hearken; to attend.
When we have occasion to listen, and give a more particular attention to some sound, the tympanum is drawn to a more than ordinary tension.
Hear
To perceive (a sound, or something producing a sound) with the ear, to recognize (something) in an auditory way.
I heard a sound from outside the window.
Listen
To give heed; to yield to advice; to follow admonition; to obey.
Listen to me, and by me be ruled.
Soldiers note forts, armories, and magazines; scholars listen after libraries, disputations, and professors.
Hear
(transitive) To exercise this faculty intentionally; to listen to.
Listen
To attend to.
Hear
(transitive) To listen favourably to; to grant (a request etc.).
Eventually the king chose to hear her entreaties.
Listen
Hear with intention;
Listen to the sound of this cello
Hear
(transitive) To receive information about; to come to learn of.
Listen
Listen and pay attention;
Listen to your father
We must hear the expert before we make a decision
Hear
(with from) To be contacted by.
Listen
Pay close attention to; give heed to;
Heed the advice of the old men
Hear
To listen to (a person, case) in a court of law; to try.
Your case will be heard at the end of the month.
Hear
To sympathize with; to understand the feelings or opinion of.
You're tired of all the ads on TV? I hear ya.
Hear
To study under.
Hear
You hear me
Hear
To perceive by the ear; to apprehend or take cognizance of by the ear; as, to hear sounds; to hear a voice; to hear one call.
Lay thine ear close to the ground, and list if thou canst hear the tread of travelers.
He had been heard to utter an ominous growl.
Hear
To give audience or attention to; to listen to; to heed; to accept the doctrines or advice of; to obey; to examine; to try in a judicial court; as, to hear a recitation; to hear a class; the case will be heard to-morrow.
Hear
To attend, or be present at, as hearer or worshiper; as, to hear a concert; to hear Mass.
Hear
To give attention to as a teacher or judge.
Thy matters are good and right, but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
I beseech your honor to hear me one single word.
Hear
To accede to the demand or wishes of; to listen to and answer favorably; to favor.
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice.
They think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Hear
To have the sense or faculty of perceiving sound.
Hear
To use the power of perceiving sound; to perceive or apprehend by the ear; to attend; to listen.
So spake our mother Eve, and Adam heard,Well pleased, but answered not.
Hear
To be informed by oral communication; to be told; to receive information by report or by letter.
I have heard, sir, of such a man.
I must hear from thee every day in the hour.
Hear him, . . . a cry indicative, according to the tone, of admiration, acquiescence, indignation, or derision.
Hear
Perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
Hear
Get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally;
I learned that she has two grown-up children
I see that you have been promoted
Hear
Examine or hear (evidence or a case) by judicial process;
The jury had heard all the evidence
The case will be tried in California
Hear
Receive a communication from someone;
We heard nothing from our son for five years
Hear
Listen and pay attention;
Listen to your father
We must hear the expert before we make a decision
Common Curiosities
Can you listen without hearing?
No, listening requires the basic function of hearing as a foundation but goes beyond it to include attention and interpretation.
Are there tools to help those who cannot hear to listen?
Yes, devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants can help those with hearing impairments to better perceive sounds, aiding in listening.
How does listening affect communication?
Effective listening improves understanding and empathy, making communication more effective and reducing misunderstandings.
Is listening more important than hearing in conversations?
While hearing is essential for receiving sounds, listening is crucial for understanding and engaging in conversations.
How can I improve my listening skills?
Practice active listening, maintain eye contact, avoid distractions, and reflect on what is being said to improve listening skills.
Is hearing a skill that can be improved?
Hearing is a physical ability, not a skill, and generally cannot be improved in the same way skills like listening can.
Is it possible to listen too much?
Overly focusing on listening without responding or interacting can hinder effective communication and relationships.
What is the primary difference between hearing and listening?
Hearing is the passive perception of sounds, while listening is actively paying attention and processing those sounds.
Can everyone hear and listen in the same way?
No, individual ability to hear and listen varies due to factors like hearing impairments, attention span, and listening skills.
Why do we sometimes hear but not listen?
Due to distractions, lack of interest, or being preoccupied, we might hear sounds without actively processing them.
What role does body language play in listening?
Body language, such as nodding or maintaining eye contact, can indicate attentiveness and enhance the listening process.
What is selective listening?
Selective listening involves focusing on certain parts of a conversation while ignoring others, often based on bias or preconceptions.
Can animals listen in the same way humans do?
Animals can hear and respond to sounds, but their ability to listen as humans do, with comprehension and interpretation, varies greatly.
How does culture affect listening?
Cultural norms and values can influence listening styles, such as the importance placed on silence, directness, or respect in communication.
Can listening be taught in schools?
Yes, listening skills can and are often taught as part of communication skills in educational settings.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
