What is the difference between active listening and hearing?

The fundamental difference between active listening and hearing is that hearing is a passive, physiological process of receiving sound waves, while active listening is an active, cognitive process of understanding, interpreting, and responding to those sounds. Hearing simply involves the ears detecting sound vibrations and transmitting them to the brain. It's a physical process that happens automatically, regardless of whether you are paying attention or comprehending the message. Active listening, on the other hand, requires conscious effort and engagement. It involves paying close attention to the speaker, both verbally and nonverbally, to fully understand their message. This includes focusing on the speaker's words, tone of voice, body language, and emotions. Active listening also involves asking clarifying questions, summarizing the speaker's points, and providing feedback to confirm understanding. The goal of active listening is to not just hear the words but to truly understand the speaker's perspective, needs, and feelings. For example, if a colleague is explaining a problem they are facing, hearing would simply involve registering the sounds of their voice. Active listening would involve paying attention to their words, noticing their body language, asking clarifying questions to ensure you understand the problem, and providing feedback to show that you are engaged and empathetic. Therefore, active listening is an intentional effort to fully comprehend a speaker's message, while hearing is merely the physical reception of sound.