What is glue ear?

Glue ear is an ear infection caused by the sticky build-up of fluid inside the middle ear cavity. Also known by its medical name, otitis media with effusion, glue ear is a condition, especially in young children. 

In most cases, glue ear follows a viral or bacterial middle ear infection, but can also be attributed to the natural blocking of the Eustachian tubes –the cavity between the ear and throat. Other causes include exposure to cigarette smoke, allergies, reflux and bottle feeding in infants.

If left untreated, glue ear can lead to hearing loss, discharge and even ruptured ear drums, which may affect the proper development of a child’s hearing and speech.

Glue ear symptoms

Diagnosis of glue ear can only be completed by a professional ear examination from your doctor. They will use an otoscope and a tympanometry to observe the ear drum and the ear pressure.

While many children with glue ear do not report to have any symptoms, you should speak to your doctor if you or your child displays the following glue ear symptoms:

• Earache caused by a build-up of pressure in the middle ear
• Difficulty sleeping
• Tinnitus
• Hearing difficulties, lack of response to quiet noise
• Problems with balance

How to treat glue ear

In most cases, glue ear will clear up on its own and it is often advised to monitor the symptoms. If you or your children are not bothered by glue ear, then the symptoms may go away on their own.

Antibiotics

While the prescribing of antibiotics is not widely recommended, your doctor may prescribe a single course of antibiotics over a 2 to 3 week period, which may assist in removing the infection.

Surgery

Surgery is another form of treatment for glue ear. A surgeon will make a small cut in the eardrum (a myringotomy) and insert circular tubes (called grommets) to allow a passage through to drain the fluid. Surgery may be recommended if a child is at risk of developing damage to the middle ear or if chronic symptoms continue to persist.