Glue ear is a condition wherein fluid accumulates in the middle ear, just behind the eardrum. It is the most common cause of partial deafness in children. Approximately one in four children get affected by glue ear at one point of their childhood. It is more common in boys, being the most affected between ages two to five. Even so, there are still risks it can happen as they grow older, including adulthood.

Unfortunately, glue ear is sometimes overlooked. There are some warnings though, such as having a stuffy feeling in the ears, and temporary hearing loss.

Glue ear is very common though. One episode predicts another. It has been known that children who have had one episode of glue ear are more likely to have recurrent episodes.

Certain other risk factors that contribute to glue ear are:

- constant inhalation of nicotine smoke

- often having cough & cold

- having a family history of glue ears; and

- as a baby, he or she was bottle fed rather than breast fed

Dulled hearing is the most common symptom of glue ear. Oftentimes, children who are affected might end up completely deaf. Hearing loss may vary from mild to severe. If it continues, it will affect the child’s normal intellectual development.

A very uncommon symptom, but mild earache may happen sometimes. Some affected children would pull at their ears if they feel pain.

Children with glue ear tend to show behavioral problems and slower speech development. These are commonly caused by the fact that they cannot hear well.

Fortunately, glue ear can be treated. In fact, most of the time it will resolve on their own. However, if glue ear persists, surgery may be required to remove the glue-like fluid from the middle ear and to place a ‘grommet’ (ventilation tube) in the ear drum. It sits across the eardrum, connecting the middle and outer ears, hence allowing pressure in the middle ear to become normal or equalize with the atmosphere.

Is snoring causing a negative impact on your life? Get help from an ENT specialist to improve your life’s quality. This article, About Glue Ear has free reprint rights.

Tags: Allergies

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