Listening with Style: Mastering the Art of Effective Listening

A Brooklyn Audiology Associates Blog Series

Episode #1 -“One-on-one” conversations

Have you ever wondered about the difference between hearing and listening? Most of us tend to use these terms interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same thing. While hearing is the processing of perceiving sound through your ears, listening is a skill that requires active attention and focus on what you hear. So, whether you have hearing loss or you are communicating with a loved one with hearing loss, there’s always room for improvement in your listening game.

In this series, we will dive into the fascinating world of effective listening and discover how to become a listening pro, regardless of your hearing abilities. We will explore various scenarios where good listening skills can make the WORLD of a difference, including: one-on-one, on the phone, in a group, in the car, at a restaurant, or at a noisy event.

First up: “One-on-one” conversations.

Have you ever wondered what sets an extraordinary one-on-one chat apart from a forgettable one? It’s all about actively listening. When you are investing precious time in a conversation with another person, the most important thing you can do to make that time worthwhile is to make their message a priority. Here’s a quick guide to becoming a pro at one-on-one conversations:

• Remove Distractions: Turn off the TV, stash your phone, and minimize distractions.
• Be Present: Whenever possible, be in the same room to catch visual cues like body language and lip-reading.
• Body Language Matters: Lean in, make eye contact, and nod to show you are engaged.
• Listen to Understand: Focus on what the other person is saying, not on your response.
• Ask Open Questions: Encourage deeper discussion with open ended questions.
• Show Empathy: Acknowledge feelings and validate experiences. Remember, effectively communicating with hearing loss can be very challenging!

By mastering active listening, you’ll create meaningful connections and elevate your one-on-one conversations.

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other audiology-related topics, feel free to contact Brooklyn Audiology Associates by clicking here or by calling 718-745-6363.