Listening...

There are constantly many sources of sounds around us. We hear them but do we really listen to them?

Say for example, when a person is talking to us, we hear them but do we listen to them? Many people misunderstand the concept of listening.

People think that listening and hearing are the same thing. It actual fact, it is NOT.

Hearing is actually the process in which sound waves strike the eardrum and cause vibration are transmitted to the brain. Listening, however, occurs when the brain reconstructs electrochemical impulses into a representation of the original sound and then give them meaning. It involves 5 steps: hearing,attending,understanding, responding and remembering.

People think that listening is a natural process. It is ALSO NOT.

Listening is not a natural process. Unlike breathing, listening is a SKILL, very much like speaking. Not everyone does it well, but it can be improved through training and instructing.

Listening is an activity that REQUIRES EFFORT.

Listening involves paying attention to what others have to say, hence it is said to require effort. If one does not put in effort to hear, one is not listening to what others have to say.

Listening is very important in communication. It can enhance or diminish communication. If one listens well, the process of conveying a message across is enhannced. If one fails to listen well, misinterpretation will frequently occur.

Thus, LISTEN NOT HEAR...

[Li Ann =)]