Dementia is a devastating disease and global health challenge that is highly prevalent worldwide. A growing body of research has shown an independent association between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and dementia, identifying ARHL as a compelling potential target in preventive strategies for dementia. However, a causal linkage between ARHL and dementia needs to be investigated before making definitive clinical guidelines and treatment recommendations regarding ARHL as a modifiable risk factor. In this review, we discuss the association between ARHL and dementia, the importance of addressing this finding, as well as common mechanisms (eg, microvascular disease) and causal mechanisms (eg, depletion of cognitive reserve and social isolation) that may explain the nature of this relationship. Future directions for research are also highlighted, including randomized controlled trials, developing high-resolution microvascular imaging, and further refining audiometric testing.

Acute sialadenitis may be caused by viruses, including coronaviruses. Although there are anecdotal reports of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) salivary gland infections, there have been no well‐documented cases of sialadenitis in patients with COVID‐19 described in the literature. We report a case of parotitis and submandibular gland sialadenitis, as well as an isolated case of parotitis, in two patients with concurrent SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. Computed tomography imaging demonstrated parotid and submandibular gland enlargement with heterogenous enhancement and attenuation, consistent with sialadenitis. Medical management was sufficient for successful resolution of the acute sialadenitis. Laryngoscope, 130:2595–2597, 2020

Objective: To determine if cranioplasty techniques following translabyrinthine approaches to the cerebellopontine angle are cost-effective. Study Design: Retrospective case series. Patients: One hundred eighty patients with available financial data who underwent translabyrinthine approaches at a single academic referral center between 2005 and 2015. Intervention: Cranioplasty with a dural substitute, layered fat graft, and a resorbable mesh plate secured with screws Main Outcome Measures: billing data was obtained for each patient's hospital course for translabyrinthine approaches and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Results: One hundred nineteen patients underwent translabyrinthine approaches with an abdominal fat graft closure, with a median cost of $25759.89 (range, $15885.65–$136433.07). Sixty-one patients underwent translabyrinthine approaches with a dural substitute, abdominal fat graft, and a resorbable mesh for closure, with a median cost of $29314.97 (range, $17674.28–$111404.55). The median cost of a CSF leak was $50401.25 (range, $0–$384761.71). The additional cost of a CSF leak when shared by all patients who underwent translabyrinthine approaches is $6048.15. The addition of a dural substitute and a resorbable mesh plate after translabyrinthine approaches reduced the CSF leak from 12 to 1.9%, an 84.2% reduction, and a median savings per patient of $2932.23. Applying our cohort's billing data to previously published cranioplasty techniques, costs, and leak rate improvements after translabyrinthine approaches, all techniques were found to be cost-effective. Conclusion: Resorbable mesh cranioplasty is cost-effective at reducing CSF leaks after translabyrinthine approaches. Per our billing data and achieving the same CSF leak rate, cranioplasty costs exceeding $5090.53 are not cost-effective.