Whenever a topic arises that listeners would rather not deal with, those who engage in simply fail to hear or acknowledge it. judgmental listening defensive listening insulated listening selective listening?

The correct answer is insulated listening. 

Insulated listening refers to the process whereby individuals deliberately or purposely avoid listening to or acknowledging certain topics.For instance, if a person meets their relatives for a holiday and their relatives start to discuss politics, religion or some topic that an individual would rather not discuss, he or she might actively avoid listening to the conversation.