Deaf Service Center

Glue ear is one of the most common causes of hearing problems in children and is caused by a build up of fluid in the inner ear. Inside the inner ear there are three small lever type bones these carry the sound vibrations to the inner ear from the ear drum, the lining of the middle ear produces mucous and a tube called the Eustachian provides the drainage.

Near the opening of this tube are masses of tissue which are the adenoids. It is when this drainage tube gets blocked by swelling of the adenoids that mucus will gather in the middle ear and will be become thick and sticky.

The three tiny bones that normally move around will then be affected and they won’t be able to move as freely and sound then becomes muffles.

What Are The Symptoms Of Glue Ear?

The main symptom of glue ear is of course hearing loss this can vary in degree from a slight muffles sound in just one ear to full deafness in both ears.
Babies and children will often not realise for themselves that anything is wrong and therefore it is down to the parents to realise when something is wrong. Some of the sign to watch out for are:

• Interaction problems with others
• Speech problems
• Having problems with balance or clumsiness
• Only appearing to hear what they want to
• Forever saying “excuse me” or “pardon”
• Turning up the volume on the TV or radio
• Your body is less responsive to noise and sound

Older children will complain of earache and the ear may be red this is due to persistent tugging of the ear through pain. Also if your child has recently had the flu or cold then they may be more at risk of glue ear.

What Causes Glue Ear?

Glue ear often follows a cold or flu as this is when mucus will build up more or it may occur when there is a problem with the Eustachian tubes, but there is no one cause for the onset. Studies have shown that the children who are at a higher risk of developing glue ear fall into the categories below:

• Males more than females develop glue ear
• Children exposed to tobacco
• Children around the age of two
• Bottle fed babies more than breast fed babies develop glue ear
• Have had a brother or sister who has had glue ear
• Children who attend day care centres
• Children who have more colds and flues are more susceptible

Treatment of Glue Ear

Studies have shown that medication is not successful in the treatment of glue ear and most cases will cure themselves within three months so for the majority of cases it is a case of just watching and waiting.

If this is the course your Doctor chooses to take then your child will be re assessed in three months time. In some cases where the glue ear is persistent then they may be sent to see and ear, throat and nose specialist. If all else fails there is the option of surgical treatment which falls under three categories:

• A Grommet- which is a tiny plastic drainage tube inserted into the ear drum. The grommet will normally fall out of its own accord within 6 to 12 months but by this time the glue ear has normally been corrected.
• Adenoidectomy- If the adenoids are part of the problem because of them becoming enlarged frequently then these may be removed.
• A combination of the above- This is probably this most successful treatment in having long term affects.