Barriers to Listening
By this point, you have been introduced to what listening skills are and the basics of listening models and skills. In order to really be a good listener, it is important to understand some of the most common barriers to listening. Once you know these, it makes identifying and addressing them much easier.
Common Listening Barriers
While the following list does not encompass all the possible barriers that may exist, it does include the most common barriers you are likely to see and identify with. The more you understand the barriers to listening, the more likely you are to be successful in avoiding them.Boredom: People find it difficult to concentrate on what is being said when they are not interested in the topic or they are simply bored.
Internal issues: People often are distracted by what is going on internally, such as having a headache, being hungry, or not feeling well. All of these issues will make it more difficult to listen.
Knowing it all: If you are listening to someone and you believe you already know what they are going to say or the answer to what they are speaking about, you are more likely to shut out what they are saying. This is another example of why it is important to approach listening with an open mind.
Being preoccupied: If you have something else on your mind, it will be more difficult to think about what is being said around you. What your mind is preoccupied with is likely to keep creeping back into your thoughts, stealing your focus. Being preoccupied and daydreaming are both issues that that will prevent effective listening.
Environmental distractions: As we learned in a previous lesson, one of the most common things that prevents people from actually listening is the distractions that are going on around them. These environmental distractions, whether music, television, telephones, or the sound of a vacuum down the hallway, can be a big enough distraction that it makes concentration difficult for someone trying to listen.
Perception: If listeners have any bias or prejudice regarding the speaker or subject matter, it is likely that they will be focusing on their disapproval rather than what is actually being said. This is why it is important to approach listening with an open mind and relaxed attitude. Listeners' emotions play a big role in how they perceive what they are listening to, as well as the speaker.
Red flag words: There are particular words that are hot-button issues with most people. If someone is listening to someone else speak and hears particular words that the listener may be sensitive to, it could put the focus on that and become a distraction. If someone is emotional, he or she will have a more difficult time listening.
Language barriers: If there are language barriers, such as someone not being a native English-speaker or having a speech problem, it can create difficulty in how the listener takes in what is being said. Language barriers also can make it challenging for the listener to stay interested in the speaker and resist daydreaming.
Attention span issues: As previously mentioned, if someone suffers from a medical condition that prevents or makes it difficult for the person to pay attention, she or he most likely will not be able to listen very well. People with attention span challenges can work on trying to improve and also see a doctor for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) testing if they feel there may be a medical reason for their difficulties.
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