Which of the following is a physical barrier to effective listening?

Hearing loss or chronic illness is indeed a significant physical barrier to effective listening. Such conditions can hinder an individual’s ability to receive and process auditory information. This barrier may cause difficulties in hearing what is being said, leading to misunderstandings or missed information during conversations.

While distractions from the environment can certainly interrupt the listening process, they are categorized more as external factors rather than physical limitations of the listener. Emotional instability may impact a person's focus and openness to listening, but it primarily relates to mental states rather than physical capabilities. Non-verbal communication cues, while important in the overall communication process, do not constitute a barrier to listening in the same way physical impairments do. Therefore, hearing loss or chronic illness directly affects the listener's ability to effectively receive and engage with audio information.