“Hearing” in the Bible means more than just the collection of atmospheric vibrations: It represents receiving and understanding new ideas, particularly those from the Lord. On a deeper level it represents obedience, because we must understand to obey. This also is reflected in natural language, in which we often use “hear” to mean “obey.” There are many shades of meaning beyond that, depending on context -- who is hearing whom, and what the subject at hand is.

2641. That 'everyone who hears will laugh for me' means that all things there will possess this affection is clear from the meaning of 'hearing' and of 'laughing'. In the Word 'hearing' has reference to things that are matters of affection, but 'laughing' to those that are matters of thought. This becomes clear from very many places in the Word as well as from correspondences, see 2542. Because the subject at present is the affection for celestial truth, the phrase 'everyone who hears' is used, by which all things that are matters of affection are meant. For 'laughing' means being stirred by an affection for truth or possessing an affection for truth, see 2072, 2216, 2640.