Which is the Last Sense That is Lost? Unraveling the Mystery

Introduction: The Final Sense to Go

You’ve probably wondered at some point, “Which is the last sense that is lost?” Whether it’s a loved one aging or a deep dive into human biology, it’s a question that carries emotional weight. It’s something we think about, especially in terms of aging and what might happen as our bodies and minds begin to slow down.

I recently had a conversation with my friend Sarah, whose grandmother had been struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. She told me that her grandma's hearing seemed to be the last thing to go, which left me thinking: Is hearing really the last sense to fade? After diving into the science, here’s what I found.

The Sense of Hearing: The Last to Go?

Why Does Hearing Persist?

The sense of hearing is often regarded as the last to fade, especially in conditions like dementia or severe cognitive decline. The brain seems to cling to auditory input longer than other sensory information. In fact, some researchers suggest that when a person reaches the final stages of life, they might not respond to touch or sight, but they can still hear voices around them.

I remember when my great-grandfather passed away. We thought he was in a deep coma, but one day, I whispered his name, and his eyes moved slightly, almost as if he heard me. It gave me chills. I had read about hearing being the last sense to go, but witnessing it first-hand was something else.

What Science Says About Hearing

Studies have shown that auditory processing in the brain remains intact even when other cognitive functions start to decline. This is why hearing can be the last sensory experience to leave. People with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease often lose their sight, touch, or taste, but their hearing can persist well into their final stages of life.

So, why does this happen? The brain’s auditory cortex, responsible for processing sounds, seems to maintain its function despite the decline of other areas of the brain. It’s almost as if hearing serves as the final connection to the outside world, allowing individuals to hear their loved ones even if they cannot respond.

Other Senses: What Happens to Them?

The Sense of Sight: One of the First to Go

When we think about aging or neurological diseases, the sense of sight often seems to be one of the first to go. Vision deteriorates due to several factors, such as macular degeneration or glaucoma, which can rob a person of their ability to see clearly over time.

A few months ago, my friend Alex's father started to experience severe vision loss, and it got me thinking about the gradual process of sensory decline. I looked up how sight fades earlier in comparison to hearing, and it made sense—vision requires a complex interaction between the eyes and brain, and it’s highly susceptible to aging and diseases.

The Sense of Touch and Taste

Moving on to the sense of touch, it’s another one that diminishes with age. The skin’s receptors lose sensitivity, and the ability to feel changes in texture, pressure, or temperature decreases. This can lead to a reduced awareness of pain, making older adults more prone to injury or burns.

The sense of taste, meanwhile, also declines with age. Older adults often experience a reduced sense of taste, partly because the number of taste buds decreases, and partly because taste is closely linked to smell, which may also decline over time.

The Role of Sensory Decline in Mental Health

Emotional and Cognitive Connections

It’s crucial to consider how the loss of senses affects not just the body but also the mind and emotions. The loss of vision or touch can lead to a sense of isolation, but the persistence of hearing can create a bridge to connection, even in the final stages of life.

I spoke to my friend Linda, who works with the elderly in a care home. She shared a touching story of a woman who had lost her sight and speech due to a stroke, yet when her family played her favorite song, she smiled and began tapping her hand in rhythm. The power of sound was incredible to witness, especially when all other senses seemed to have faded.

The Importance of Keeping Communication Alive

If hearing is indeed the last sense to go, then keeping communication alive is so important, even if the person can no longer respond. Simple acts like talking to the person, playing familiar music, or even telling them stories can make a difference.

From personal experience, I’ve found that just speaking to a loved one, even if they can't respond, helps maintain a sense of presence. It gives them comfort, and it helps those around them feel connected.

Conclusion: Why Understanding Sensory Decline Matters

The question, "Which is the last sense that is lost?", brings more than just scientific interest—it holds emotional significance for anyone who has witnessed a loved one age or struggle with cognitive decline. The answer, based on current research, is that hearing often holds out the longest.

As our senses fade, they leave us with a profound sense of loss, but understanding how hearing can remain until the end offers comfort. It also highlights the importance of maintaining connection through sound—whether it’s a gentle word, a song, or simply being present.

So, next time you’re with a loved one who seems unresponsive, try speaking to them. They might hear you, and that connection could mean more than we realize.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.