Coach Ziana, CBT, CLC

Neuroscience: Can comatose patients hear us?

Coach Ziana - CBT Practitioner, Certified by the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology.

Evidence suggests that yes, some individuals in comas or vegetative states can hear voices even if they cannot respond, with studies showing 15% to 25% of patients with severe brain injuries exhibiting "hidden consciousness".

Neuroimaging (fMRI) reveals that hearing familiar voices triggers more brain activity than unfamiliar ones, which may aid in faster recovery.

When coma patients hear recordings of family members talking or telling stories, their brain activity increases compared to hearing silence or unfamiliar voices.

Hidden Consciousness (Cognitive Motor Dissociation): Studies, such as those conducted at Northwestern Medicine and Hines VA Hospital, show that some patients who appear completely unresponsive can still hear and understand verbal commands, with brain scans indicating high-level cognitive function.

Even if they don't consciously recall the information, the auditory processing centers of the brain can remain functional, processing auditory stimuli during the coma.

Studies often consider hearing to be one of the last senses to remain active in comatose patients.

Important Considerations:

These findings do not apply to all comatose patients, as the severity of brain injury varies. While the brain may process the sound, patients do not always remember what was said when they wake up. However, the evidence suggests that speaking to loved ones in a coma is beneficial for potential recovery.

~ Coach Ziana.