Honestly, I do sometimes wish DS would get the point and shut up. Just occasionally, because I really just can't listen to it all. His father is terrible, also, at telling extremely long-winded stories and never quite getting to the point. I used to fall asleep when he was telling me about his day in the evening - just couldn't help it! Why do I need to know the minutia of your life?
Anyway, I'm not sure. I do try to focus, or at least take in the main points. I use active listening skills to show that I'm paying some attention, and it does help that he repeats himself endlessly.
Quite often he really doesn't care if anyone is actually listening anyway, plus I never really know if he's talking to me or one of his imaginary friends.