Communication barriers can be categorised as follows:

• Physical barriers include difficulties in hearing and seeing.
• Intellectual barriers may occur because of the natural ability, home background or schooling that affects the perception and understanding of the receiver.
• Emotional barriers include the readiness, willingness or eagerness of the receiver — and the emotional status of the educator.
• Environmental barriers might occur if there is too much noise or if the room is too congested.
• Cultural barriers include those customs, beliefs or religious attitudes that may cause problems. Economic and social class differences and language variation, as well as age differences, may also be difficult to overcome. Either too high or too low status of the educator (sender) compared to the audience may affect communication.