Hearing Preservation in Dying — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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EasyEnd of Life CareHearing Preservation in DyingSCE Palliative Medicine

A 55‑year‑old woman with advanced cervical cancer is dying and is now unconscious. Her husband asks whether she can hear him despite her unconsciousness. What should he be told?

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Correct answer: D — Hearing is thought to be one of the last senses lost before death — he should be encouraged to continue talking to her, playing her favourite music, and expressing his feelings

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · E = shown as B · D = shown as C · A = shown as D · C = shown as E

Option A is correct. Electrophysiological studies have demonstrated that even unresponsive, actively dying patients can continue to register auditory stimuli via MMN and P3 responses, indicating preserved hearing until shortly before death. This supports the long-held precautionary principle in palliative care that families should be encouraged to speak, play music, or express emotions, as hearing may persist unobserved. Options B, C, D and E are incorrect because they dismiss hearing in unconsciousness or require observable responses, contradicting both neurophysiological evidence and compassionate care practice.

Reference: Electrophysiological evidence of preserved hearing at the end of life (Blundon et al., 2020; Sci Rep); Listening Until the End: Auditory care in palliative sedation in Europe (EAPC narrative review, 2023), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7316981/