Glue ear
Glue ear is a condition in which the part of the ear canal behind the eardrum (known as the middle ear cavity) becomes filled with a sticky, “glue-like” fluid. This can happen in one or both ears. The medical name for glue ear is otitis media with effusion, or OME.
Glue ear is most often seen in younger children between 2 – 5 years but can develop at any age. About 8 out of 10 children are affected at some point before they are 10 years old.
Whilst most cases of glue ear will clear on their own within 6-10 weeks, it is important to recognise since it can affect a child’s hearing at the age when their speech is developing rapidly, and it can negatively impact upon this speech development.
Selfcare and more information
Causes of glue ear
Research into the causes of glue ear shows that several factors are likely to be involved. Some of these have been listed below:
- The Eustachian tube (the ventilation tube between the middle ear cavity and the back of the nose/throat) is narrowed or blocked. This prevents drainage of the normal secretions of the middle ear into the back of the throat (the “nasopharynx”) and is called Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.
- Bacterial infection can irritate the ear and lead to a build-up of fluids, which can cause to glue ear.
- Exposure to smoking environments.
- Children with a cleft palate or a genetic condition such as Down’s syndrome may be more likely to suffer from glue ear.
Information about smoking and glue ear
- Exposure to smoking is a major preventable risk factor for development of glue ear in children.
- The Department of Health has found that children in smoky environments (in the car or at home) are much more likely to develop glue ear.
- The advice for parents who smoke is that they should always do this away from their children in places where their children do not go. Preferably they should give up smoking completely.
- It is very important to remember that opening a window does not help; smoke and toxic particles can remain in the air for some time.
- Research also suggests that if a child’s environment remains smoky, a child with glue ear is likely to suffer from this until the environment becomes smoke free. If you are looking to give up smoking, NHS ONEYOU have a variety of resources available for you.
Symptoms of glue ear
Glue ear most commonly causes symptoms such as temporary hearing loss, earache, pain or hearing noises like ringing or buzzing (tinnitus).
For more information on symptoms and when to see your doctor, please visit the NHS website or the RNID website.
Managing glue ear
Glue ear will usually clear up on its own naturally within 6-10 weeks. Within three months, up to 90% of children will be clear from the condition. Even after three months, treatment may not be needed. Your doctor may decide to monitor your child’s condition for up to a year if symptoms are not severe.
During this time, for children aged over three years, your child’s GP may suggest a technique called auto inflation, to help fluid drain from the ear. Auto inflation is conducted several times a day by either:
- Blowing up a special “nasal balloon” using one nostril at a time
- Swallowing whilst holding the nostrils
After three months, if a child seems to be suffering with hearing loss which is severely affecting the child’s development and learning, your child may be referred on to the local audiologist (hearing and balance specialist) or Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department for further investigation and possible treatment. These specialists are usually based at your local hospital.
Surgery
The two main hospital treatments for chronic glue ear are temporary hearing aids and grommets.
Grommets are not used for all children who develop glue ear. This is because having grommets involves a surgical procedure. All surgery comes with risks which should only be taken if the likelihood of benefit is higher than the risk of the procedure. In many cases, the problem will resolve naturally without causing any long-term problems. A local commissioning policy has therefore been put in place to make sure children are not undergoing surgery unless they are likely to receive benefit from it. You can read more about this policy here.
Useful information about glue ear
You can find more information about glue ear from the following resources:
- General information from the NHS UK website
- General information Patient Info: Glue Ear
- National Deaf Children’s Society have written a case study, called Cody’s glue ear, about a young boy’s experience with the condition.
- The National Deaf Children’s society have written an article “Grommet surgery not under threat”, which responds to recent NHS guideline changes about the treatment
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children have created a guide to treatment of glue ear with grommets, for parents whose children are going on to be treated for their glue ear surgically
Videos about glue ear
CMAJ | Nasal balloon autoinflation safe and effective for chronic ear infections in children
Published 27 July 2015
Top Doctors UK | How to manage glue ear in children & adults
Published 29 May 2018
National Deaf Children’s Society | My daughter and glue ear
Published 7 December 2018
Waiting for a specialist opinion
If you have been referred for a specialist opinion your details will be reviewed and it may be recommended that you are seen by a hospital clinician. Information to support you in choosing your preferred hospital, including waiting times can be found using the links below.
How long will I wait?
If a hospital assessment and/or treatment is clinically recommended your information will be sent to a specialist. Click below to find out more about waiting times for routine hospital assessment and/or treatment.