Listening is a complex process that involves hearing, choosing to focus attention, understanding meanings, and responding. It is important for school, relationships, work, and decision making. There are barriers like distractions, unfamiliar language, and beliefs that can interfere with listening. The steps in the listening process are receiving sound through hearing, paying attention, understanding meanings, remembering, evaluating messages, and responding. Factors like noise, barriers, and memory affect our ability to listen effectively.