Environmental Factors

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SOMETIMES we listen for the pure enjoyment of the sound of a jazz artist, a string quartet, or a rock band. © Herman Leonard Photography LLC

Loud noise, such as sounds we experience at sporting events and rock concerts or when working around heavy equipment, is only one environmental factor impairing our ability to listen (and sometimes hear) (Cohen, 2013). Large groups present another difficulty, as they involve more people competing for your attention. Distractions in your environment—your phone signaling text messages, a baby crying, a train rumbling by your house—can also impair listening. Indeed, local transit systems can be as loud as a rock concert (around 120 decibels) (Childs, 2009). Even the temperature or air quality in a room can be distracting enough to affect our listening.

If you know that environmental factors will distract you from a listening situation ahead of time, you can take steps to eliminate distractions. For example, if there’s a classroom on your campus that’s always cold, even when it’s ninety degrees outside, bring a sweater or jacket to that class. Avoid busy public places when planning for an intimate conversation. And if you must attend a lecture with a lot of rowdy people, get to the meeting early and pick a seat closer to the speaker.