| Glue Ear is a condition in which fluid accumulates in | | | | |
| the middle ear behind the eardrum. It is the most | | | | - Temporary hearing loss: This is the most |
| common cause of partial deafness in children and | | | | common symptom. |
| it is estimated that one in four children are | | | | |
| affected at some stage in their childhood. It is | | | | - A stuffy feeling in the ears. Glue Ear does not |
| more common in boys with most being affected | | | | cause pain the way middle ear infections (otitis |
| between the ages of two and five. However | | | | media) can. Children with Glue Ear sometimes |
| there are chances it may occur at a later stage, | | | | have repeated episodes of earache or middle ear |
| including in adulthood. | | | | infections. |
| Glue Ear mainly occurs in both ears and may be | | | | |
| difficult to detect, since it is not painful | | | | Changes in behaviors include tiredness and |
| doesn’t cause symptoms of an ear infection. | | | | frustration, not responding when called, falling |
| Mostly it is due to a problem with the Eustachian | | | | behind at school, preference to staying in isolation. |
| tube that connects the middle ears to the back | | | | Diagnosing Glue Ear. |
| of the nose and throat. | | | | If your child is showing the following symptoms |
| The Eustachian tube normally plays an important | | | | and you are unclear about their condition, it is |
| role in maintaining equal air pressure between the | | | | advisable to check with your nearest ENT |
| outside and inside of the middle ear. When the | | | | specialist. |
| tube becomes obstructed the air in the middle ear | | | | Often doctors rely on one or several of the |
| becomes absorbed, and the resulting vacuum | | | | following tests to make the diagnosis. They’re |
| draws fluid into the middle ear cavity from lining | | | | Otoscopy, Audiometry and Tympanometry tests. |
| of ht ear (the mucosa) | | | | Treatment of Glue Ear. |
| Initially the fluid is thin and watery but eventually it | | | | Glue Ear does not always need treatment. Most |
| becomes thick and tenacious, hence, the name | | | | physician prefer a conservative, or “wait and |
| “Glue Ear”. Because the middle ear is now | | | | see”, approach to treat the problem. |
| filled with fluid rather than air, the haring is | | | | There is some debate about how effective |
| muffled. Obstruction of the tube may be due to | | | | medical treatments are and the mainstay of |
| repeated bacterial and viral upper respiratory | | | | treating children with Glue Ear is with ventilation |
| track infections, enlarged adenoids or nasal allergy. | | | | tubes (grommets) |
| It is important to note that in children the | | | | The decision to operate and insert a grommet in |
| Eustachian tube is more horizontal and smaller | | | | the eardrum is dependent on many factors such |
| than in adults and this is one of the reasons why | | | | as the patient’s age, whether there are |
| Glue Ear is relatively common in children. | | | | recurrent middle ear infections, pain speech, delay |
| Children are especially prone to Glue Ear because. | | | | learning or behavioral difficulties. |
| | | | | It can also depend on the appearance of the |
| - Of frequent colds and sore throats | | | | eardrum. (For instance whether there is a |
| | | | | retraction pocket, which is a localized area of |
| - In children, the adenoids (lymph tissues at the | | | | scarring that may lead to problem) |
| back of the nose that help protec against | | | | Young children with poor language development, |
| infection) are more likely to be enlarged, blocking | | | | pain or recurrent ear infection should have |
| the opening of the Eustachian tubes. | | | | grommets inserted as soon as possible. Older |
| | | | | children with fewer symptoms can be treated |
| SOME RESEARCHERS also believe children are at | | | | conservatively with regular follow-up visits in the |
| higher risk if exposed to cooler climes or a smoky | | | | outpatient clinic to monitor their hearing and the |
| environment. Children with genetic conditions such | | | | appearance of the ear drum |
| as Downs Syndrome may have smaller | | | | The main objective of grommet insertion is to |
| Eustachian tubes and are more susceptible to Glue | | | | get rid of the fluid in the middle ear by allowing air |
| Ear. | | | | to enter through the grommet, so temporarily by |
| Symptoms of Glue Ear. | | | | passing the problem. Normal hearing is restored |
| Glue Ear in children can sometimes go unnoticed. | | | | once this objective is accomplished. |
| However, there are few warning signs, such as | | | | |