To enhance listening comprehension, focus on developing a habit of sustained attention and minimizing distractions. Try active recall by summarizing conversations in your own words within 10-15 minutes of hearing them, and rephrase what you think the speaker meant if necessary. Additionally, listen to audio books or podcasts without subtitles, as this will challenge your brain to fill in any gaps it can't understand.
Some recommended strategies include maintaining eye contact with speakers, nodding to show you're engaged, and using open-ended questions to encourage conversation flow. For technical difficulties such as background noise or multiple speakers, try using a noise-cancelling app on your headphones, and experiment with visual aids like written transcripts to supplement audio-only conversations.
One valuable resource is the '4Rs' approach developed by Dr. Russ Harris - Repeat (replay unfamiliar sounds), Recognize (make connections between words and meanings), Reduce (diminish cognitive load), and Reinterpret (gain a new perspective). With consistent practice, your listening abilities can improve significantly.