glue ear
Glue ear is a condition where the middle ear, which normally contains air, is filled with a thick glue-like fluid. This fluid is not infected and may be present without any pain or fever.
The small tubes (Eustachian tubes) that connect the ear to the back of the nose and throat gets blocked due to a blocked nose, a cold, swollen adenoids in the back of the nose, allergies or the irritation of the nose by irritants like tobacco smoke. This causes fluid to build up behind the eardrum in the middle ear space.
The longer the fluid stays in the middle ear the thicker and more glue like it becomes. Glue ear usually gets better without treatment but sometimes can cause mild to moderate hearing loss.
How do you know if your child has blue ear?
Glue ear is usually painless, so you may not know there’s a problem. If you notice any of the following then it is best to get their ears checked by an ear nurse. In babies, the signs might be:
not responding to sounds like expected
crying, restless or not sleeping well
unsettled behaviour
In toddlers and young children, the signs might be:
appears they are not listening or not hearing you
having the TV up loud
talking very loudly
feedback from teachers that they are not good listeners
difficult or challenging behaviour
often complaining of an earache
snoring and breathing through the mouth instead of the nose
How is glue ear treated?
For most children, glue ear doesn’t last long, and it usually doesn’t cause significant hearing loss or learning and behaviour problems. It may also be a recurring problem in younger children, but as long as each episode resolves within the expected time frame no further intervention may be needed.
However, grommets may be recommended if your child gets frequent glue ear or if it lasts for a long time and their hearing is affected. This is why it is very important to get regular check up’s and reports until your child have been given the all clear.
Grommets are small plastic tubes that are put into the eardrum to let air back into the middle ear. This is done in hospital by an ear nose and throat specialist. Once the air can get back into the middle ear, hearing usually returns to normal.
Grommets are not a permanent cure for glue ear and they are only considered if certain criteria are met. Grommets make their way out of the eardrum over time, and the hole they were keeping open will ideally heal over. Grommets buys time for the child’s Eustachian tubes to grow larger so that when the grommets have come out they don’t get blocked easily and can naturally let air into the middle ear. Unfortunately some children require multiple sets of grommets.
There are no medicines which effectively treat or prevent glue ear, but vaccination with the pneumococcal vaccine can help prevent ear infections and glue ear.
What can you do to help your child?
Breastfeed your baby for as long as possible.
If bottle feeding always keep them upright, do not let them lie flat while feeding.
Promote a smoke free home environment.
Try to keep rooms warm and dry.
If your child has ear pain or ear discharge see your doctor or ear nurse promptly.
Make sure your child gets their B4 School Check when they are 4 years old and has their hearing and vision tested, this will be done by a vision and hearing technician that visits your child’s preschool. If they miss out when they are 4 it must be done in their first year at school. If this miss out when they are 5 there is no further routine checks so make sure to follow up with the school if this does not happen.
Keep your child up to date with all vaccinations.
If you know your child has glue ear:
Look at your child when you speak, and speak slowly, clearly and slightly louder than normal
If your child’s behaviour changes, consider that it may be due to them not hearing well
If your child goes to school or preschool make sure to tell the teacher about their ear and hearing problems. The teacher can help by seating your child at the front of the class and making sure they hear and understand instructions.
