Glue Ear SURVEILLANCE

For normal hearing, your middle ear needs to be filled with oxygen. When there is fluid instead of air, it is harder for the ear drum to vibrate and carry the sound vibrations to the nerves within the inner ear. This makes it harder for you to hear clearly. If both ears contain fluid, your hearing can be significantly reduced.

Anyone can get fluid in their middle ear but it is much more likely to occur in children due to the anatomy of their Eustachian tube (the small tube that connects your nose to your ear).

Glue ear is a term used when thick fluid is trapped behind the eardrum. This results in hearing loss and can lead to delayed learning and language development in children.

Children frequently get coughs and colds; many suffer from allergies. In our modern life, there are often irritants in the air that children breathe in (cigarette smoke, sprays, dusts and moulds). All of these can cause swelling at the opening of the small tubes that link the nose and ears.

Regular check up’s for 3 months (called the watchful wait period) are very important to get a clear picture whether the fluid build up is constant or intermittent. In most people the fluid should clear up within 12 weeks, however when the fluid remains in the middle ear for more than 3 months, this is called glue ear.

Our Ear Nurses can see the eardrum 10 times more magnified than your doctor, making it easier for them to notice any fluid or abnormal appearances of the eardrum. They will also perform a small pressure test called tympanometry to confirm normal or abnormal middle ear pressure. The Ear Nurse will explain her findings and advice on how to help clear the fluid. If a referral to an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist is indicated, we can send a comprehensive report with recommendations to your doctor.  

Healthy eardrum vs glue ear: