Can someone who is unconscious still hear me?
A dying person who cannot respond may still be able to hear or sense calm voices and touch.
A dying person who cannot respond may still be able to hear or sense calm voices and touch. You may not know for sure what they can hear, but it is reasonable to speak to them as if they can.
Hearing can be present even when a person is very sleepy, hard to wake or unable to answer. Talking gently can also help family feel connected during a difficult time.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. It cannot tell you exactly what is happening in one person's situation. If you have concerns about a symptom, medicine, treatment decision or change in someone's condition, contact their doctor, palliative care team, nurse or other treating health professional.
Why they may not respond
Near death, the body uses less energy. The brain receives less oxygen and works less steadily. The person may become very drowsy, drift in and out, or become unconscious.
They may also be affected by the illness, infection, dehydration, organ failure, delirium, pain, exhaustion or medicines needed for comfort.
Not responding does not always mean the person is unaware of everything. We advise people to speak normally to a person who is close to death because they may still be able to hear.
What to say
There is no perfect script. You can say:
- "I am here."
- "You are not alone."
- "I love you."
- "Thank you."
- "We are with you."
- "It is okay to rest."
You can also talk about ordinary things: who is in the room, what the weather is like, a memory, a favourite song, or a message from someone who could not be there.
Avoid arguing at the bedside if you can. If hard decisions need to be discussed, consider moving the conversation away from the person.
Touch, music and silence
Gentle touch may help if the person usually liked touch. Hold a hand, stroke their arm, or place your hand lightly on their shoulder. Stop if they pull away, grimace, become tense or seem unsettled.
Music, prayer or familiar words may be comforting for some people. Silence can also be a form of care. A person who is dying does not need constant talking.
Tell the person what you are doing before care tasks. For example: "I am going to moisten your mouth now" or "We are going to turn you a little." This respects their dignity even if they cannot answer.
When unconsciousness needs review
Unconsciousness can be part of dying, but sudden reduced consciousness can sometimes have treatable causes. Ask for help if the change is sudden, unexpected, follows a fall, happens with a seizure, or is accompanied by severe pain, fever, breathing distress or signs of low blood sugar in someone with diabetes.
If the person is expected to be dying, the team may explain that increasing sleepiness is part of the final stage. They can still check comfort and adjust the care plan if needed.
When to get help now
Contact the palliative care team, GP, nurse or aged care staff urgently if the person seems distressed, has noisy or difficult breathing that worries you, has a seizure, has new pain, or you do not know whether the sleepiness is expected.
Call 000 if the unconsciousness is sudden and unexpected, if the person is not known to be dying, or if there is no end-of-life plan and you need emergency help.
You may also want to read
- Should I keep talking to someone who is unconscious and dying?
- How can I tell if someone is dying?
- Is what I'm seeing normal dying, or are they suffering?
- What should children expect when they visit someone who is dying?