What distinguishes "hearing" from "listening"?

The distinction between "hearing" and "listening" primarily lies in their nature and the level of engagement involved. Hearing is a physiological process that occurs when sound waves enter the ear and are processed by the brain. It is an involuntary and passive action — we hear sounds around us without necessarily paying attention to them or making sense of them.

In contrast, listening is an active process that goes beyond merely hearing sounds. It involves interpreting, analyzing, and responding to the sounds we hear. Listening requires mental engagement and effort; we actively focus on the message being conveyed, understanding its context, and responding appropriately. This interpretive element is what fundamentally differentiates listening from hearing, highlighting that listening is not just about sound reception but also about comprehension and engagement with the content being communicated.