Which sense is typically the last to be lost as death approaches?

Hearing is typically the last sense to be lost as death approaches. This phenomenon is well-documented in palliative care and end-of-life studies where individuals often retain the ability to hear sounds and voices even when they appear to be unresponsive or in a decreased state of consciousness. This suggests that the auditory pathways remain functional longer than those associated with other senses. Additionally, many caregivers and family members report that individuals can respond to sounds or familiar voices even in their final moments, underscoring the importance of speaking to individuals who are nearing the end of life.

In contrast, vision often diminishes significantly as one's condition worsens, typically losing clarity and the ability to perceive changes in the environment. Similarly, taste and smell are more closely related to the digestive and respiratory processes, which decline earlier in the dying process. Therefore, while all senses may gradually decrease in functionality, hearing tends to persist longer, making it crucial for caregivers and loved ones to continue communicating with individuals in the final stages of life.