Evidence on whether hearing compensation with hearing aids and cochlear implants are beneficial on cognitive decline/dementia and brain morphology is limited, although hearing loss is recognized as a risk for dementia. In 2023, the systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of hearing compensation on cognitive decline/dementia was published. The meta-analysis results indicated that hearing aid users had a 19% lower risk of long-term cognitive decline compared with that of nonusers, and using hearing restorative devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants) was associated with significantly 3% improvement in short-term general cognitive test scores. Including the results of our study selected within this review, we outline the meaning of auditory compensation focusing on changes in cognitive function and brain morphology. Since a cure for dementia remains unavailable, societal expectations for hearing loss approaches have increased, and the effects of auditory compensation on cognitive function should be continually verified.

Presently, the study evaluated the efficacy of high-dose corticosteroid therapy in children with severe acute facial paralysis (FP). The study enrolled 10 pediatric patients with complete FP who received prednisolone (PSL) 3–4 mg/kg/day for two to three days followed by a 10-day taper (child high-dose group). Eight pediatric patients who received PSL 0.5–1 mg/kg/d were enrolled in the child low-dose group, and nine adult patients (25–64 years) who received high-dose PSL 200 mg for two to three days followed by a 10-day taper were enrolled in the adult high-dose group. Children receiving PSL 3–4 mg/kg/day achieved better recovery and less synkinesis than that of those treated with low-dose PSL (0.5–1 mg/kg/day).

The efficacy of mirror biofeedback rehabilitation for synkinesis in children with severe acute FP was evaluated. The patients initiated daily facial biofeedback rehabilitation using a mirror upon the first sign of muscle contraction on the affected side and were instructed to maintain their eyes symmetrically open using a mirror during mouth movements. The training continued for 12 months after the onset of FP. The degree of oral-ocular synkinesis was evaluated by the degree of asymmetry in eye opening width during mouth movements. Children who underwent mirror biofeedback rehabilitation had less synkinesis than that of the infant-and-toddler control group, suggesting that mirror biofeedback rehabilitation is more effective in preventing synkinesis exacerbation in children.

An intractable tympanic membrane perforation is a known late complication after radiation therapy which can affect hearing organs. Tympanoplasty using a postauricular periosteal-pericranial flap applied to the case failed three times. There has been no reperforation for three years and nine months following surgery. Although there are few reported cases, such flaps may be useful for intractable cases.

Without exception, every case with a lateralized tympanic membrane has a narrow bony ear canal due to pathological bony outgrowth. In the surgical treatment for a lateralized tympanic membrane, removing as much of the anterior bony ear canal as possible is essential to create an adequate anterior tympanomeatal angle. It is also important to ensure the epithelial remnants of the external canal skin and tympanic membrane cover the entire circumference of the ear canal. This is necessary for the formation of the ear canal through epithelial migration. A postauricular periosteal-pericranial flap can be used to cover a denuded bony canal.

The interlay myringoplasty with anterior subannular grafting technique does not require elevation of the squamous layer over the anterior annulus. Instead, a subannular pocket is created under the anterior annulus, and the graft is inserted into the pocket. This technique retains adequate blood supply, leading to excellent graft success. It also reduces the risk of anterior blunting and lateralization of the tympanic membrane.