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Dr. Brent Tipping, a geriatrician at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Center (WDGMC), says that hearing loss more than doubles the odds of dementia, with visual impairment (both near and far) also elevating the risk.

In a study that Tipping co-authored, researchers examined hearing, vision and dementia among 567 older adults in Agincourt, Mpumalanga. Participants were drawn from the Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI). The study was published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia in 2025.

While the findings do not establish that hearing loss directly causes dementia or that treating it prevents the condition, the results point to the critical importance of hearing and vision interventions for overall brain health.

Preventing diseases like dementia is a lifelong process, and there are numerous ways in which people can ensure that their cognitive faculties remain as sharp as possible as they age. These include managing blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and weight, staying active and addressing excessive drinking.

Tipping also reviews sleeping medication when assessing patients who are confused or struggling to function during the day. The review can help identify whether a medicine is contributing to their difficulties.

Tipping uses the image of an overloaded plate to explain how work, family responsibilities, anxiety and poor sleep can overwhelm attention. Forgetfulness has several possible explanations, but persistent or worsening changes need assessment.

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