Ear Changes In A Dying PT

My mother told me that she heard 20 years ago (she's a CNA) that a person's ears curl backward when they are toward the end. She says it sets in even before mottling does. I guess being new and haven't yet experienced many deaths that I have not noticed it. She says in almost every person she has seen pass this has happened. Has anyone else heard of this? Do you know what causes it?

[Simplepleasures]

banditrn said:

Don't feel bad - I was a nurse for many years, and took care of a multitude of dying patients, and I'd never heard of that!

Me neither, I guess old dogs can learn new tricks.

[sharlynn]

I was told when I started in Hospice that noses get pointy, too.

[noc4senuf]

I was told this back in the 70's and still note it on each dying resident to this day.

[webbiedebbie]

How soon after you see this does the pt pass on? I know there will be some circumstances and everyone is different. Just curious.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

Having been a CNA for as many years as I was, I have taken care of too many dying patients to count. Honestly, I never noticed any changes in the ears. Then again, I wasn't really looking at the ears to note any changes, so I guess there could have been changes, I just wasn't watching for it.

Interesting, you DO learn something new every day. From now on, I'll be sure to note the ears of a dying patient.

[MaryS53]

Not sure what causes the lobe curl, but as an RPN/PSW IN Palliative care that's what we where taught to look for as well as the colour loss at the extremities