Auditory perception during general anesthesia-myth or fact?

Reports have appeared periodically in the literature indicating that surgical patients can hear and be influenced by remarks occurring while they are under general anesthesia. Much of the evidence has been obtained by postoperatively studying patients under deep hypnosis. The present article discusses the empirical status of this phenomenon, “auditory perception during anesthesia.” 14 selected studies regarding auditory perception during general anesthesia were critically reviewed. All were found to have serious deficiencies as evidence for or against the occurrence of auditory perception during general anesthesia. Methodological and theoretical difficulties of conducting research into auditory perception during general anesthesia were discussed, and suggestions for future research were offered.