Description: The student can tell the difference between two different sounds.

Discrimination reflects a hearer's ability to tell the difference between or among sounds. Sometimes Discrimination can be seen when a child chooses to listen to music or musical tones but not to speech at the same decibel level (or vice versa). Other examples of Discrimination could be demonstrated preferences for types of music (for example, country, classical, rap, or rock) or preferred speakers (for example, female, male, or children). Discrimination is an important listening skill because it leads to the hearer's ability to attach meaning and names to the sound source.

This kind of development leads to increased knowledge of the world, helps make a child's world richer, more meaningful, and can promote a sense of control and security.