Final answer:
Active listening involves both hearing and interpreting the spoken words and non-verbal cues, ensuring full comprehension of a speaker's message. It is an essential communication skill enabling effective participation and rapport building in conversations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that best describes hearing and understanding what a speaker is saying out loud, as well as the messages suggested behind the words, is active listening. While hearing refers to the biological process of sensing sound waves through the ear resulting in vibrations, active listening involves processing and interpreting the sound, engaging with the speaker, and understanding both the literal and the implicit content being communicated.
Active listening is a valuable skill that enables one to build rapport, participate in discussions effectively, and understand the emotional undertones and nuances in a conversation. Beyond simply hearing the words, active listening involves interpreting vocal delivery, including voice and tone, as well as non-verbal cues like body gestures and facial expressions. It allows the listener to respond with emotional intelligence and comprehension, thereby enhancing communication.