It is possible that patients can hear and feel what is going on around them, even when apparently unconscious, but they might be too sleepy to respond when we speak to them or hold their hand.

Can you hear on a ventilator?

​​What should you expect when a patient is on a ventilator? Patients are unable to vocalize during mechanical ventilation due to the breathing tube. Also, ventilated patients may be sedated or have fluctuating consciousness; their ability to comprehend or attend to communications may also fluctuate.

Can sedated patients talk?

Communication with intensive care patients is of paramount importance, especially when communicating with a critically ill patient who is sedated and ventilated, and therefore unable to speak.