In the last few hours of life ...

[Iggle Piggle]

does anyone know why the hearing becomes sensitive in the last few hours of someone's life?
Sorry to be morbid but I just wondered ...

[RATTER15]

I wasn't aware that it did, never heard that before.

[scotman]

how do you know that it does?

[Iggle Piggle]

I have heard it happens, then got experience the other night. The patient had poor hearing but a few hours before they passed away they were annoyed by doors closing, people talking (even very quietly) and other sounds that they would simply not notice any other time.

[welshlibranr]

Not really sure Iggle, but when my mother was close to death, she seemed to be unconcience, I was doing a crossword at the side of her bed, to keep my mind away from it all really, and I read out a clue to myself, I didn't have the answer, she spoke out the answer without opening her eyes or showing any sign of change!......and so, although we though she was unconcious, she could hear and understand what was happening and said around her!............

[karenmac60]

I've heard it's the last sense to go, but not that it got more sensitive.

[RATTER15]

Maybe it is one of the last senses to shut down and therefore more focused maybe?

[welshlibranr]

Well, I know she heard me, she gave me the right answer to the question!.....

[Iggle Piggle]

Yeah, I know it's the last sense to leave, and I believe people can hear for around 3 minutes after the heart has stopped. If you are ever in the situation, keep talking and comforting the patient !!

[Sqad]

Hearing is the last of the senses to go and the first to return when the level of consciousness drops and or rises.

[starone]

What a morbid subject. Isn't there something a bit more cheerful to talk about?

[boxtops]

Very practical though, starby - I am glad to have read this post. Not morbid, just factual, and helpful if we should need it.

[missnemesis]

I wish I'd known this when my Dad was passing. It saddens me to think that he was aware of us all flapping around like headless chickens, though he probably wouldn't have been surprised :)

Thanks for the post/info iggle piggle. Should I ever be in the same position again I'll be sure to do things differently.

[scotman]

interesting thread this. I thought that something connected with sight would have been at the top of the list.

[joko]

it may be a last ditch attempt by the body to 'get going' again and survive, and it may sort of push energy and endorphins etc around the body to try to keep it going...

also many people say certain drugs create hightened senses - such as lsd, mdma, and even some distalgesics and pain killers etc ...so the bodies own versions of these things that it produces to help lessen pain and ease the dying process flood the body and could be acting in a similar manner...

(it is said that it is these bodily processes that can create hallucinations and feelings that explain the whole light at end of tunnel and floating sensations etc...so they can be powerful)