Active Listening Skills

Technically speaking, hearing is the physical process of sound waves entering our ears and being converted into neural signals. Listening occurs when we give meaning to these sounds by interpreting what they mean or their context in order to make sense of them. For example, a dog barking outside may be interpreted as “danger” while someone humming inside can have more pleasant connotations such as innocence or relaxation. When you put both together-the sound coming from the environment and your interpretation thereof – listening becomes a critical skill for human survival because it helps us navigate an ever-changing world with many possible outcomes.