Alabama Post Licensure Practice Exam

An effective listener focuses on understanding and engaging with the speaker without causing disruption to their flow of communication. Maintaining eye contact, nodding to show understanding, and paraphrasing the consumer's statements are all practices that help confirm engagement and comprehension.

Politely interrupting the consumer, however, can detract from effective listening. While clarification is important, interrupting can signal that the listener is not fully engaged or patient, potentially causing the speaker to feel unheard or frustrated. An effective listener would typically wait for a natural pause before asking for clarification, ensuring that the communication remains respectful and fluid.

In summary, the emphasis on maintaining engagement, demonstrating understanding, and reflecting what has been said are crucial elements of effective listening, while interruptions can hinder the communication process.