Glue Ear
Introduction
Source: NHS
In this topic (7)
Glue ear is a common childhood condition where the middle ear becomes filled with fluid. The medical term for glue ear is otitis media with effusion (OME) .
It's estimated thatone infivechildren around the age of two will be affected by glue ear at any given time, and about 8 in every 10 children will have had glue ear at least once by the time they're 10 years old.
The main symptom of glue ear is some Hearing impairment in one or both ears. This is usuallysimilar to what you experience when you put your hands over your ears.
Signs that your child may be having problems hearing include:
- struggling to keep up with conversations
- becoming aggravated because they're trying harder to hear
- regularly turning upthe volume on the television
Contact your GP if you have any concerns about your child's hearing.
It contains three tiny bones that carry sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.The build-up of fluid associated with glue ear prevents these bones moving freely, which affects hearing because it means they can't pass sound vibrations to the inner ear.
Exactly what causes this build-up of fluid is unclear, althoughit seems to be related to a problem with the tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat (Eustachian tube). One of the main functions of the Eustachian tube is to help drain fluid from the middle ear.
It's thought that problems with the Eustachian tube may be caused by things like a previous ear infection , smoke irritation or allergies . Glue ear isn't caused bya build-up of ear wax , or by getting water in the ear after swimming or showering.
Other factors that are also thought to increase the risk of getting glue ear include:
- growing up in a household where adults smoke
- being bottlefed rather than breastfed as a baby
- having siblings (brothers and sisters) who've had the condition
In these circumstances, glue ear can usually be treated using minor surgery, which involves placing small tubes (grommets) in the ear to help drain away the fluid.
Complications of glue ear
Possible complications of glue ear include ear infections and, where hearing loss is more severe, a minor temporary delay in speech and language development.
Some of the problems associated withglue earget better by themselves quite quickly, although further treatment may occasionally be necessary.
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Articles for Glue Ear
Causes of glue ear
The exact cause of glue ear is unknown, but it seems to be caused by a problem with the Eustachian tube - a narrow tube that runs from your middle ear to the back of your throat.
Complications of glue ear
Read about the complications of glue ear, including delayed speech and language development, ear infection, thickening of the eardrum and a perforated eardrum.
Diagnosing glue ear
A diagnosis of glue ear can usually be confirmed by using an instrument called an otoscope, which is used to study the inside of the ear and can detect signs that usually indicate fluid inside the middle ear.
Introduction
Find out what glue ear is, what causes it, how it's treated and the possible complications.
Preventing glue ear
It's not possible to prevent glue ear, but you can reduce your child's risk by breastfeeding rather than bottle feeding, and making sure your home is smoke-free.
Symptoms of glue ear
The most common sign of glue ear is hearing loss, which can affect one or both ears.
Treating glue ear
Find out when treatment for glue ear is recommended and what treatment options are available. Hearing aids and grommets are the two main treatments for glue ear.
