You CAN hear me now...but are you listening?

There is a difference between hearing and listening.  And I believe this is the basis of much conflict.  Being heard is important...its the actual physical act of hearing.  The job your ears do...sounds waves enter the ear canal and then it follows the pathway to your brain.  We hear sounds all day long.  But listening....that is something completely different....entirely.  When that sound enters your brain, how do we interpret it?  Do we comprehend what we heard?  Do we understand what we heard?  I think many times just because people are capable of hearing, they believe they are actually listening.  And there lies the problem.  You heard me....but do you understand me?
Many, including myself have a fear of not being understood or being misunderstood.  Because it is much easier to love the things we understand.  It is much easier NOT to judge the things we understand.  When you understand, there is no fear of the unknown....we understand it.  We get it.  You hear...you listen...you comprehend...you understand.  Seems simple.  But there are so many things that can go wrong on that short little journey.  Our own wants and needs jump in the path.  Our beliefs, our values, our issues, our feelings.  They all serve as road blocks to reaching that seemingly simple end...understanding.  And that's when conflict seems to arise.  We raise our voices...as if speaking louder will help the other comprehend better.  I am fairly certain that decibel level has nothing to do with comprehension.  Nor do harsh words or foul language.  In fact, I do feel fairly certain that the louder and cruder we become, the less understanding takes place.  Now it may make us feel better!  Becoming louder and meaner certainly does give us a sense of control in a situation where we feel helpless and frustrated....but I don't believe it aids the other person in gaining any amount of understanding.  So what in the world do we do when we aren't listened to?  Well, I have feelings, and hormones, and beliefs, and values, AND issues....so I don't know.  I know how it feels to not be understood, so I take that and apply the "treat others the way you want to be treated" rule.  I try and listen to everyone who has a voice.  Whether I agree or not, I try to understand.  It's not my place to judge.  But I can't control everyone else.  Just myself.  So good luck....if you figure out a way to remove all the road blocks from hearing to listening...let me know.  Thanks.