This checklist offers a catalogue of abilities, skills or qualities that will enable you to evaluate your ability to listen. There is no score. Check as many boxes as you feel appropriate.
Developmental history
Our early years are very important in early identification and prevention of listening deficiencies. It also may give some background as to possible causes such as:
a stressful pregnancy
difficult birth
adoption
early separation from the mother
delay in motor development
recurring ear infections
stressful environment
Motor skills
Body image, sense of balance and coordination are closely related to a proper functioning of the ear.
poor posture
fidgety behaviour
clumsy, uncoordinated movements
poor sense of rhythm
messy handwriting
hard time with organisation and structure
confusion of left and right
poor sports skills
vertigo
Receptive Listening
The Listening that is directed outward, and keeps us attuned to the world around us.
short attention span
easily distracted
oversensitive to sounds
misinterpretation of questions and instructions
confusion of similar sounding words
frequent need of repetition
inability to follow sequential instructions
tinnitus
Expressive Listening
The Listening that is directed within. We use it to control our voice when we speak and sing.
flat and monotonous voice
hesitant speech
weak vocabulary
poor sentence structure
overuse of stereotyped expressions
inability to sing in tune
confusion or reversal of letters
poor reading aloud
Energy levels, stamina
According to Dr.Tomatis the ear functions as a dynamo, providing us with the energy we need to lead a fulfilling life.
difficulty getting up
tired halfway through the afternoon
habit of procrastinating
hyperactivity, restlessness
tendency towards depression
feeling overburdened by relatively simple everyday tasks
‘chronic’ fatigue e.g. as a side effect of a major operation, chemotherapy
Behavioural and social adjustment
The less you are listening to the world around you, the less you are stimulated, the less you will be able to respond to the world. A listening deficiency can be related to:
poor self confidence
low tolerance for frustration
shyness
tendency to withdraw, avoid others
emotional immaturity
low motivation, lack of interest in studies and achieving ‘anything’
Some of the characteristics in the above categories are interrelated or just alternative expressions for more or less the same thing. What it boils down to is a relatively negative outlook on life, most certainly a lack of joy and initiative and most likely an overly subjective perception of the world. Challenges are seen as something either to withdraw from or to get sensitive about.
This list is based on 'When Listening Comes Alive' from Paul Madaule (Moulin Publishing 1994).
