How can people improve thier listening skills?

Question

I work for a hosptial and I can't count how man times I'm explaining important information to a parent only to be interupted... and asked the question that I'm currently explaining.

It's soooo fustrating... I just want to say shut your mouth and listen. Natrually I can't do that but it really irks me especially when Parents are Smart A** about it.

Answer 1

As a teacher, we are faced with this often. We can't imagine what the hurry is to find out, but if they just wait a minute they will be better off for it.

I sometimes hold my palm out toward them (as if stopping them), slowly close my eyes and say, "wait, just bear with me a minute".

That will let them know you are on thier side and not holding back info. You shouldn't have to rush just to satisfy someone else's rudeness and impatience to hear their own voice.

Let them wait and you keep control.

Answer 2

Uh, YOU cannot improve the "listening skills" of other people.

You CAN, however, learn to communicate better.

Your first step should be to reflect on what's going on here. You're talking to parents of hospitalized children.

Most likely, the person you are talking to is terrified and in a state of shock. Thus, their attention span, ability to focus, ability to take in new information, and their memories are all shot.

Second, are you explaining things in technical language, or in something that the person you're talking to understands? It's really easy to use the words you're so familiar with. You are not dealing with people who have your background and training.

Keep it in English; keep it simple and concrete.

You also need to track their attention. If they are not listening (because they're freaked out), you need to get their attention back.

Another thing you might do is first state the question you're answering: "You might be wondering how long recover will take." By saying the question, you're cuing them in to what question you're about to answer, so they know what to do with the information you're giving. They know what you're talking about and why you're saying it.

Also, by saying what's on their mind, you not only get their attention, but you align yourself with them. They will be more receptive if they have reason to think you're on the same wavelength.

As you talk, pay attention to them. If they go blank or get a questioning look, you've said something they don't understand: Watch your language (not in the sense of not cussing, but of using ordinary language).

It might be best to always start by asking them if they have any questions. You may have an order in which to give the info, but they have their priorities, and have little ability to refocus from them.

And try to remember that they are probably going through some form of hell.

Answer 3

My mother says it is better to listen then it is to talk so much that you can not hear what the person is saying. Too many people are so full of themselves, that they can't bother to listen to anyone else.

Maybe if you listen to them 1st, they will listen to you 2nd. It is a two way street.

I'm not at all saying these people, these patients are right in what they are doing. Nor do 2 wrongs make it right.

Someone needs to hold the fort: hold UR tongue for a little while, & then maybe they will stop long enough to listen to what you have to say.

There are some people who think they are smart if they do all the talking. What they do not realize is that they are smarter, if they listen long enough for it to soak in.

Answer 4

Well, you can't improve someone else's listening skills. All YOU can do is realize if they are not hearing you, they must not be understanding you. So when you repeat, try a different phrasing of what you are saying.

That may be how you need to improve your listening.

Answer 5

what was the question again??
Maybe It's you if it keps happening than I'd assume it's your fault ... know its unopleasent to hear but ar e you changing anything you're doing to try to geta different outcome or just complaining that no one listens?? also maybe It's the circumstances I assume maybe people are way stressed out at a hospital and find it harder to concentrate ....Either way I'd adjust how you are presenting /speaking either content or tone or inflection...why not see if you can get them to stop asking you to repeat yourself ...Have fun with it and see if you can cure this sucker ..

Answer 6

Maybe you are being too technical for the person. Not everyone is familiar with medical jargon. Remember, you had to go to school to learn those terms. I consider myself to be an intelligent person, but when I go to my doctor, I ask him to break it down for me. Maybe instead of seeing patients, you should learn some patients.

Answer 7

Write down, write it down, write it down.

Answer 8

stop talking.