Glue Ear Otitis Media with Effusion

Glue ear is quite a well-known term usually affecting young children under the age of 7, however, it can affect adults too.

So, what is “Glue ear.” Also called otitis media with effusion (OME) and secretory otitis media. This can affect one or both ears at the same time.

This is a condition that occurs in the middle ear which we find just behind the eardrum. This is where non-infected sticky fluid accumulates rather than air. This can then have an effect on the hearing because of the build-up of fluid behind the eardrum. The eardrum cannot flex and vibrate as normal reducing hearing. This is usually a result of poor function of the eustachian tube, preventing normal drainage of fluid from the middle ear.

This normally happens because of a cold, sore throat, or upper respiratory infection.

Swollen adenoids soft pieces of tissue located at the back of the nose can also obstruct the eustachian tubes during a cold.

Adenoids can be removed by surgery Adenoidectomy if breathing is difficult or impossible through the nose. This is a 20–30 minute procedure requiring a general anaesthetic usually performed on children under the age of 7.

Symptoms to look out for

  • Hearing loss or difficulties, muffled feeling, or the feeling of being under water.
  • Earache, ear pain or a feeling of pressure and fullness.
  • Tugging or pulling at one or both ears. A child can find it difficult to describe.
  • Delayed speech development.
  • Problems concentrating.
  • Balance might be affected.
  • Your child starting to shout more.
  • Your child sitting close to the TV or, TV volume being turned up.

If you or your child are showing any of the above symptoms, please make an appointment with your local doctor’s surgery or go to your nearest walk-in clinic for a medical assessment.

Treatments for Glue ear

In many cases OME resolves itself over time within 4-6 weeks with no treatment needed.

Antihistamines and decongestants have been shown to have no effect on OME but can help reduce swelling of the eustachian tube to encourage drainage.

If needed, paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with the pain/temperature if an infection is present.

Antibiotics; otitis media with effusion (OME), is not normally treated with antibiotics as there is no infection but if you present with an upper respiratory tract infection, antibiotics will be prescribed.

Grommets; this is a quick 30-45 minute surgical procedure, where a very tiny ventilation tube is placed in the opening of the eardrum to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure from behind the eardrum allowing an air flow and also preventing the build-up of fluid in the future. Your hearing will be restored after the grommets are in place. These drainage tubes will stay in place for around 6 to 12 months and will usually fall out on their own with no need to see a doctor to have them removed.

Tympanostomy tubes known as T Tubes have the same function as a grommet, the only differences being that they are used when you have recurring glue ear, otitis media with effusion (OME). The T Tube can stay in place for several years, but these will have to be surgically removed, whereas the grommets grow out naturally.

Is glue ear a permanent condition?

No, in most cases glue ear will rectify itself within 4 to 6 weeks.

There are some cases where medical intervention is needed in the form of inserting grommets or T tubes which are tiny ventilation tubes through the eardrum or tympanic membrane.

Having your adenoids removed can help the eustachian tube function better. Sometimes the adenoids, which are clumps of tissue located at the back of your nose, can become swollen when you have a cold. This makes it very difficult to breathe through your nose. Blocking the nasal airway also blocks the opening to the eustachian tube.

FAQs

This will often occur after an ear infection; fluid remains trapped in the middle after the infection has gone. Sometimes a blockage in the eustachian tubes can also be a cause of glue ear or Otitis Media with Effusion.

There are two main reasons why young children develop glue ear: They are still developing their immunity and find it hard to fight off all infections. The underdeveloped eustachian tube is still short in length and still holds a horizontal position, which can cause these tiny tubes to become blocked very easily. As we grow, so does our immunity, and the eustachian tube grows in length and starts to tilt downwards, which encourages drainage.

For persistent glue ear, your GP will probably recommend having grommets fitted. This is the No 1 treatment in the UK. This a 20–30 minute medical procedure which does require a general anaesthetic.

There is often an issue with the eustachian tubes not draining properly causing a build-up of fluid behind the ear. Glue ear can also be caused after having a cold or allergies. Symptoms will often get better with time, but if symptoms persist for 3 months, please seek medical advice.

No, however, antibiotics will only be prescribed if you are presenting with an upper respiratory tract infection.

Otitis media with effusion is just the medical name for Glue ear.

It can take up to three months for this to rectify itself. If this is not the case, then surgery may be required, having a procedure called myringotomy. This is a short procedure whereby a small incision is made in the eardrum to release fluid from the middle ear. This small incision repairs itself naturally within 2-3 months.