Final answer:
The assertion that listening and hearing are identical is false. Hearing is a sensory response to sound waves, whereas listening is an active process needing conscious attention and interpretation of those sound waves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that listening and hearing are the same thing is false. Hearing is the physiological process where our ears sense sound waves traveling through the air, resulting in the vibration of the inner ear structures. In contrast, listening is the cognitive process of making sense of those sounds, which involves attention and understanding. While hearing is a passive ability, listening is an active process that requires effort to interpret the meaning of sounds.
Sound is described as a wave, and understanding sound waves is crucial to comprehending how hearing works. The characteristics of these waves, such as frequency and amplitude, are key to the perception of different sounds.