Master the Political Compass 2025 – Navigate Your World with the CPCT Challenge!

The sense that is typically considered the last to leave a dying patient is hearing. This observation is supported by various studies and anecdotal evidence from healthcare professionals. While a person may appear unresponsive and may lose other senses such as sight and touch, the brain often retains the ability to process auditory stimuli longer.

It is believed that even in a state of diminished consciousness or terminal phase, individuals may still be able to perceive sounds and voices around them. This can be particularly significant for loved ones who may choose to speak softly or play familiar music, as it is thought that the dying person may still be able to hear and comprehend those sounds.

The other senses, such as vision, touch, and smell, may decline earlier in the process of dying. Vision often fades as the brain's capacity to interpret visual stimuli diminishes, while touch becomes less sensitive with a decrease in responsiveness. Smell tends to be affected as bodily functions slow down, making hearing the last stronghold among the senses.