TYPES OF LISTENING

Listening.

Listening is a skill to receive and interpret (understanding) messages correctly. It can be enhanced by regular practice. It plays a very important role in the process of communication.

Types of Listening

There are different situations and different kinds of listening-

            i.          Informational listening

The listening that is done to get information and learn something is called informational listening. It usually takes a high level of concentration. Listeners can learn some new concepts. Some examples are-

a) listening during Training/ lecture
b) Self-paced learning through online classes
c) Listening to an educational e-book

Advantages of informational learning

a) It makes the listener a better learner.
b) It enhances active participation.
c) It updates knowledge and increases interaction with others.

    ii.          Discriminative listening

The listening in which the listener gives more importance to sounds rather than only words is called discriminative listening. This is the most basic form of listening and does not involve the understanding of the meaning of words but merely the different sounds that are produced. Everybody is born with discriminative listening. The subtleties of accent and pronunciation of a language can be identified by this kind of listening. Nonverbal cues are also used to listen and analyze. 

a) It helps to differentiate to differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar language.
b) It helps to identify the differences among various moods - happy, sad, worried, etc.
c) Listening to identify the speaker- father, mother, any relative, etc.

Advantages of discriminative listening

a) It helps the listener to read the speaker’s mindset.
b) It helps the listener to understand more than the words.
c) It helps the listener to realize the actual scene behind words.
d) It helps the listener to hear what remains unspoken.

  iii.          Comprehensive listening

The listening that concentrates on language and vocabulary to understand a speech is called comprehensive listening. It requires basic language skills and vocabulary to understand the conversation. It is the opposite of discriminative listening. This type of listening goes on lifelong. Some examples are-

a) listening to make some decisions
b) listening to give a response to the speaker

Advantages of comprehensive listening

a)   It prepares a base for other listening types.
b)   It helps to find the exact meaning of the message.
c)   It helps to analyze and understand complex calculations, technical as well as scientific articles. 

d)   It is used to receive feedback.

  iv.           Sympathetic listening

Sympathetic listening is based on emotion. Instead of focusing on the language of the message, the listener focuses on the feelings and emotions of the speaker.

Advantages of Sympathetic listening

a) To provide support and sympathize with the speaker.

b) To understand the feeling of the speaker.

c) To win the trust and confidence of the speaker.

d) To build a good relationship with the speaker.

e) To remove stress and frustration of the speaker

     v.          Empathetic or Therapeutic Listening

The listening that is helpful to see a problem from another’s perspective is called Empathetic Listening. It helps to understand someone else’s point of view as they’re speaking. Instead of just focusing on the message, Listener relates to someone else’s experiences as if they were his own. It is different from sympathetic listening.

Advantages of Empathetic listening

a) It helps you to tackle the problem.

b) It helps the listener to avoid unnecessary guesses.

c) It helps to focus on the real intention of the speaker rather than doubting.

d) It helps to lead an unbiased professional and personal life.

  vi.          Critical Listening 

The listening that is used to analyze complex information to evaluate the message is called critical listening. It goes deeper than comprehensive listening. The listener tries to compare the facts with his own knowledge and concludes.

Advantages of Critical Listening 

a) It helps in problem-solving.

b) It helps to choose better options.

c) It helps to decide or conclude.

vii.          Biased listening/Selective Listening

The listening that allows the listener to listen only to a selective piece of information is called biased listening. Biased listening is also known as selective listening. Biased listening results in incomplete information because the listener wishes to listen only about his like things.

Disadvantages of Biased Listening

a) It interrupts the communication cycle.

b) It does not help in future conversations.

c) Information is incomplete.

viii.          Appreciative Listening

Listening for enjoyment is called appreciative listening. We do appreciative listening to enjoy music, hymns worship, motivational speeches, standup comedy, etc. The choice of the listener varies from person to person.

Advantages of Appreciative listening

a) It is used to enjoy the favourite audio.

b) It is used to reduce stress and tension.

c) It is used for self-pleasure.

d) It may bring positive results.

  ix.          Active Listening

The listening in which the listener remains active and attentive is called active listening. The listener carefully listens to the speaker and later, responds accordingly. The listener shows interest through facial expressions, body language, asking questions, etc. Active listening makes a good relationship between the listener and the speaker.

Advantages of Active Listening

a) It provides a positive environment for communication.

b) It helps to continue the conversation.

c) It helps the speaker to open up his feelings and share his thoughts.

d) It creates a good rapport between the speaker and the listener.

     x.          Passive Listener

The listening in which the listener listens quietly but doesn’t show his interest in communication is called passive listening. The listener neither interrupts nor participates in the conversation.

Disadvantages of Passive Listener

a)   The message is not absorbed by the listeners.
b)   Communication is ineffective.

c) The listener cannot use information effectively in the future.

  xi.          Intuitive Listening

Listening between the lines to know the true intention of the speaker without caring about his words is called intuitive listening. It is a higher form of listening in which the listener listens with an intuitive mind without judgment and assumption.  Meaning isn’t conveyed only in words; hence, voice tone, body language, the context of the conversation, and even our intuition create meaning. The listener uses all the senses (nonverbal and verbal) to tune with the speaker.

Advantages of Intuitive Listening

a)   It leads to the best form of leadership.
b)   Listeners can make better decisions,
c)  It is used to build stronger relationships.
d)  It is used to resolve problems more quickly.

xii.          False listening

false listening is the process in which the listener appears to be listening but is not actually involved in the listening process, interpretation & understanding of the message. They make the speaker believe that they are listening. They also exhibit eagerness and intense looks and try to put periodic comments or a question, which is the usual technique.