Many important details, including nonverbal cues, are lost in the process. The listener has only understood part of the intended message. Environment is frequently overlooked as a factor that can contribute to poor listening. It is difficult to remain attentive when a speaker is droning on for long periods of time in a poorly ventilated room with inadequate lighting. Or perhaps a colleague tries to tell you something important while standing in a huge room filled with noisy machinery and co-workers bustling by.
Environment can also include the appropriateness of the message for the setting involved.
Whispering to someone next to you about your vacation plans while the chief executive officer is discussing the annual business plan would hinder the recipient's ability to listen effectively. Conversely, if your boss tells you that you're being transferred to Siberia as he walks by you at the water cooler, the informal, public nature of the setting could adversely affect your ability to fully absorb his message. Another factor that can affect listening is status. One's perception of position can often distort communication. When speaking with a person in a position of authority, many people will craft their message so as to impress and not offend.