Which type of listening involves engaging with the communicator and providing feedback?

Active listening is a vital communication skill that involves fully engaging with the speaker, understanding their message, and providing feedback to demonstrate that you are not only hearing the words but also comprehending the intent and emotion behind them. This type of listening requires focusing entirely on the speaker, minimizing distractions, and responding appropriately, whether through verbal acknowledgments or non-verbal cues such as nodding.

In active listening, the listener may ask clarifying questions, paraphrase what has been said, and offer their insights, all of which encourage a dialogue that fosters better understanding and trust between parties. This contrasts with passive listening, where the individual does not actively engage with the material or respond, which can lead to miscommunication. Similarly, empathetic listening focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of the speaker, but it is one aspect of active listening, which encompasses a broader set of skills, including offering feedback. Non-verbal listening emphasizes understanding through body language and gestures rather than verbal feedback and interaction.