Hearing is important, and it does come first! However, hearing (in and of itself) will not change your heart. It takes a working of the Spirit within the persons heart (in addition to hearing) to soften the heart so that it will receive what is heard. To think otherwise, would do away with the 3rd person of the trinity.
5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction
Roman's 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.