Final answer:
The phase of the listening process where the brain uses integration to match sounds with stored information is called integration, primarily handled by the nervous system and processed in the auditory cortex using top-down processing.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the listening process, the phase that involves the brain attempting to match a received sound or message with stored information to recognize or extract meaning is known as integration. During this phase, sounds processed by the auditory system are integrated with memories, experiences, and knowledge to derive the meaning from the auditory stimuli. This process is aided by the nervous system, which coordinates all the various elements involved in perception, from receiving the initial sound waves through the ear's mechanics to the activation of hair cells and the resultant neural impulses sent to the brain.
The auditory cortex in the temporal lobe plays a crucial role in interpreting these signals by matching them with stored information. This is an example of top-down processing, where previous experience and expectations are used to recognize stimuli. Understanding and memory retention are bolstered by effective encoding, with semantic processing tending to lend the most resilience to memory.