HYPNOS, MORPHEUS, AND THE HUMAN EAR: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY READING OF SLEEP AND HEARING

Abstract

Sleep, once understood as a state of sensory shutdown, is now recognized as an active and dynamic process characterized by reorganization within neurophysiological systems. In this context, the auditory system stands out for maintaining continuous activity, creating a paradox: while the body rests, hearing continues to monitor the environment. This work proposes an interdisciplinary approach that integrates concepts from sleep neurophysiology—such as REM and NREM cycles, thalamic modulation, and selective sensory processing—with contributions from otorhinolaryngology, philosophy, and mythology. From a clinical perspective, it discusses the role of the auditory system as a vigilance mechanism, as well as its relationship with sleep-related breathing disorders, particularly Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its cognitive and metabolic impacts. In parallel, symbolic dimensions associated with sleep are explored, broadening its understanding as a reorganized perceptual experience. It is concluded that the auditory system acts as a bridge between wakefulness and dreaming, mediating the interaction between external stimuli and internal experience, thereby contributing to clinical practice and health education.