In communication, people often confuse hearing with listening, but they are quite different. Hearing is simply the act of sound reaching your ears, while listening means paying attention, understanding, and engaging with what is being said.
The main difference is in the level of attention. Hearing is passive, but listening is active—it requires thinking about and responding to the message. Active listening is important for good communication, as it helps build stronger relationships, reduces confusion, and makes others feel heard and valued.
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