Presence

AlanLaz has a good post on hearing in Parshas Mishpatim. I would add only that hearing, at least in the Torah's view, is by definition interactive, conversational and indicative of relationship. It implies mutual understanding and dialogue, moving towards consensus. Hearing is, by nature, dependent on an Other Presence's participation. This is in contradistinction to sight, which is inherently one sided, does not require an Other, does not convey anything in terms of relationship or mutual understanding or striving towards a shared conceptualization between the subject and object, the seen and seer.

I could go on with something about the shvatim, Reuben (the seeing son), and all that goes with that, but I'll leave it as an exercise to the reader.