Scientists have identified a link between hearing loss and dementia

Hearing loss and visual impairment are associated with a higher probability of dementia, so it is important to pay attention to them even before old age. Why hearing testing is important for brain health and what other factors should be considered — in the Izvestia article.

What the study showed

Brent Tipping, a geriatrician at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Center at the University of the Witwatersrand, co-authored a study published in 2025 in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia. The researchers analyzed data from 567 residents of the Agincourt rural area in the South African province of Mpumalanga. All participants were over 50 years old and were part of the HAALSI Health and Aging Research project.

The researchers tested their hearing, near and far vision, and assessed their cognitive state. The analysis took into account age, education, financial status and concomitant diseases.

Participants with hearing loss were about 2.5 times more likely to have dementia than people without hearing loss. Visual impairment in the distance was associated with a twofold increase in this indicator, and in the vicinity — with about a fourfold increase.

These figures reflect the statistical relationship in the studied group. They do not mean that every person with hearing or visual impairment will necessarily develop dementia. The work also does not prove that hearing loss directly causes the disease or that its correction is guaranteed to prevent dementia.

Obesity in dementia was found to be associated with a low risk of death

Why prevention should be started earlier

According to Tipping, taking care of cognitive health should continue throughout life. It is important to control blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and body weight, physical activity and limit excessive alcohol consumption.

In the 2024 report, The Lancet Commission identified 14 risk factors that can be influenced. According to her estimates, working with them can potentially prevent or delay about 45% of dementia cases worldwide. These include hearing loss, uncorrected visual impairment, smoking, lack of movement, and social isolation. This is an assessment for the general population, not a promise of a result for an individual.

Access to quality education from childhood also plays an important role. However, as Tipping points out, education does not end after school or university.

When forgetfulness requires attention

Memory problems can have different explanations. Tipping draws attention to the fact that work, family responsibilities, anxiety and lack of sleep can overload attention. When examining people who complain of confusion or difficulties in daily life, he also evaluates the sleeping pills they take: medications can affect their well-being and daytime activity.

At the same time, persistent or increasing changes require a medical assessment. It is important to find out their cause and understand how much they prevent a person from coping with their usual tasks.

Why do your loved ones need help?

As dementia progresses, relatives take on more and more tasks: cooking, monitoring medication, and other daily chores. The person himself may not be fully aware of the changes taking place and, with appropriate care, continue to enjoy life. But providing this care requires effort and time from the family.

Therefore, according to Tipping, the support of loved ones, including practical help and the opportunity to relax, should be part of helping people with dementia. The main goal of geriatric care is to maintain a person's independence and quality of life for as long as possible.