Difficulty hearing criticism of us by our patients continues to be widespread among clinicians and interferes with progress in treatment. Analysts may have trouble hearing criticism because it is well hidden in the patient's associations or because it is difficult for them to recognize their shortcomings. The author suggests that the analyst's failure to hear criticism prevents the patient from resolving what may be the final, unhealthy ties to past objects. With a lens deliberately trained on criticism in our patients' material, analysts may be surprised by the myriad forms of criticism that are present and by the importance of receptive listening.