Can you hear when you are in a coma?

As a medical professional with expertise in neurology, I can provide some insights into the question of whether a person can hear while in a coma. Coma is a deep state of unconsciousness where a person cannot be awakened and is not responsive to their environment. However, the extent to which someone in a coma can perceive their surroundings, including sound, is not fully understood and can vary from case to case. Research suggests that some comatose patients may retain some level of sensory awareness, including hearing. This is why healthcare professionals often advise family members and caregivers to continue talking to and interacting with a loved one in a coma, as there is a possibility that they can hear familiar voices. It's important to note that while there are anecdotal reports and some studies indicating potential auditory perception, the scientific understanding of coma and the ability to hear is still evolving. The brain's ability to process auditory information in a coma is likely to be significantly impaired, and any perception of sound would not necessarily be accompanied by the ability to understand or respond to it. In conclusion, while we cannot say for certain that a person in a coma can hear, it is a common practice to **always assume the person in coma can hear** and to maintain a normal pattern of communication as if they were conscious.

If the person does not wake from the coma, they enter a semi comatose state, called vigil coma or vegetative state that include sleep/wake cycles. ... Coma Communication: Always assume the person in coma can hear. Hearing is usually the last sensory faculty to deteriorate when people are dying.