There's been many discussion on hearing people sneaking, and hearing, I believe, was concluded not to be enough to locate and identify sneaks.

However, again, I might be wrong, and if so, disregard the following; I do believe it was also said that characters with high stealth are able to sneak in open areas because it could be considered a semi-magical ability.

So, I come down to this: What's the point of putting points in hearing and move silently if characters cannot locate / identify other sneaking characters?

If you successfully make a Listen check, you don't actually see the sneak. You do, however, know that somone is sneaking around. The usefulness of this takes form in:

- Your PC knowing somone is actually there, trying to remain hidden in your precense. If you suspect assassination/harm, you can prepare for it.

- Your PC knowing exactly where someone is without seeing them.

- The sneaking PC not knowing you know they're there, if that's advantageous for you (lead them to somewhere you know allies will be, while pretending not to know they're there at all).

Etc.