What is difference between hear and listening in this sentence?

[Sunhoek]

Test: Listen vs Hear, question 10

correct sentence:

I have been hearing strange stories about you recently but I do hope that there is no substance in them.

Correct answer: (d) hearing

Your answer was: incorrect
your sentence:
I have been listening to strange stories about you recently but I do hope that there is no substance in them.

Translate sentence or define "hearing"

I am not sure when I can use listen and hear.
I know that fact that when I am just hearing music or sounds of bird's song I can use 'hear'
,meanwhile when I am listening from radio or important information from flight attendent.
I know I can use 'listen'. but Why do I have to use hear instead of listen in this sentense?

Didn't I listen about 'you' from someone concentrately?

[Maggie]

I never think about this question. Moreover,I have the same questions though maybe I haven't use it in the wrong place.

Hope somebody can help us.

Maggie^^
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[Proalyssa199]

As I know, the period of time you 'hear' is shorter than that you 'listen'

[Diverhank]

"to hear stories about" is a phrase...I guess you can call it an idiom.

Typically, "listen" signifies hearing and then remembering where "hear" simply means that the sounds reach your ear...you may hear but you may not necessarily understand. In many instances, "hear" and "listen" are used interchangeably...

[Alan]

Hi,

It is perhaps easier to compare hear and listen to with see and look at. Hearing and seeing are two of our senses and function automatically. Listening to and looking at are things you do with intention and purpose. Take this small dialogue:

A Did you hear that bird singing?

B No, I'm sorry I wasn't listening (to it)

A Did you see the way the driver overtook that car?

B No, I wasn't looking at the road just then.

You can of course use prepositions with any of these verbs and create idioms that take on a different meaning. In your sentence 'hear something about someone' means learn or understand something from what people are telling you.

Alan
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[Sunhoek]

I decided to remember that I have been hearing stories about you!
it is more comfortable than understanding in this situation.
thank everyone though!