diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm
index 2771cce5e..968452a5a 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm
@@ -544,5 +544,5 @@
 /mob/living/carbon/can_hear()
 	. = FALSE
 	var/obj/item/organ/ears/ears = getorganslot(ORGAN_SLOT_EARS)
-	if(istype(ears) && !ears.deaf)
+	if((istype(ears) && !ears.deaf) || (src.stat == DEAD)) // 2nd check so you can hear messages when beheaded
 		. = TRUE