Problems in Listening - From the net

LISTENING PROBLEMS

There are many mixed reasons for poor listening. Here's a list of problems that result from weak listening skills.
Daydreaming is probably the most common listening problem because it affects everyone. Frequently a speaker will mention some person or thing that triggers an association in our minds, and off we go. When we return to reality and start listening again, we may find that the third point is being discussed, and we have no recollection of points one and two.
There are lots of opportunities for daydreaming because the speaker's speed of talking is so much slower than our speed of thought. While your instructor is talking at 125 words per minute, your mind is racing along at several times that speed. You can see the problem with this situation. Is there a solution?
Closed-mindedness is a fault that happens more outside the classroom, especially when we are arguing. We often refuse to listen to the other side of the argument, especially when we've already made up our minds. We think there's no use in listening since we know all there is to know!
Anytime you fail to listen with an open mind, you may lose valuable information. Closed-mindedness interferes with learning and relationships. Besides, it's not fair to the speaker - your family, your instructor, your minister, your friend, your co-worker, your partner. If your point of view is the correct one, opposing arguments will only reinforce your beliefs. If, on the other hand, your position is wrong, refusing to listen won't make it right!
False attention is a protection technique that everyone uses from time to time to fake out the speaker. When we're not really interested in what someone is saying, we pretend to listen. We nod our heads and make occasional meaningless comments and eye contact to give the impression that we're listening. Usually our minds are a million miles away.
Sometimes the fake-listener has no choice; a boring person may be talking, and the listener can't escape. Maybe the listener is seated at a table or in a room with relatives when some very important personal matter comes to mind. Conveniently, this listener can go through the motions of listening, even make an occasional comment, while giving real attention to something of a higher priority.  This habit of false listening can become a problem for you  if it becomes a routine procedure, a technique to use whenever something not very interesting comes your way.  Remember that boredom is a state of mind. Don't let the bad habit of false attention become a part of your life.
Intellectual despair means giving up before you even get started. Listening can be hard to do sometimes. In college you have to sit through many lectures that are hard to understand. Expect it; that's why you're going to college - to learn what you don't understand.  Occasionally, you may feel the urge to give up. You may say to yourself, "No matter how hard I try, I don't get it. I just can't learn this stuff." With this type of thinking, it's easy to stop trying.
This listening despair is a self-defeating behavior and may lead to a negative self-fulfilling prophecy. Obviously, you'll never understand it if you give up. The thing to do is to listen more carefully than ever.  Take notes in class; it'll help you focus. It's your responsibility to ask questions when you don't understand something. Discuss the material with another student. Attack the problem as soon as you identify it. Try not to let several weeks go by before you take some action! Procrastination is not the answer to intellectual despair. Catch up right away, and you'll feel more in control of your learning process.
Memorizing is a problem that happens when listeners try to memorize every word the instructor says. These are usually students who are stressed, and in their goal to listen well, they commit this listening fault because of their anxiety and come away from class remembering less.
There's no way to remember everything an instructor says. When you try, you miss the overall sense of the class, and you're worse off than ever. A student who has this listening problem doesn't seem to know any other way and may never have been taught techniques for effective listening.
Personality listening is something we all do. It's natural for listeners to evaluate a speaker, but our impressions should not interfere with our listening. The content (what the speaker is saying) should be judged on its own value to you and the speaker.
Sometimes you may be tempted to tune out the speaker because of his or her appearance. If an instructor is sloppily dressed and careless about her appearance, you may conclude that what she is saying isn't worth listening to. Avoid the temptation and don't let your personal feelings interfere with your learning.