Glue Ear (Otitis Media with Effusion)
Glue ear is a build-up of sticky fluid in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, without the pain or fever of an acute ear infection. It is very common in young children, often after colds or ear infections, and in children with enlarged adenoids. Because it does not hurt, it is easily missed. The fluid dulls hearing, which can show up as speech delay, inattention or poor progress at school. Most cases clear on their own within three months.
Find a ENT SpecialistMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Reduced hearing, often noticed as not responding when called
- Turning up the television volume
- Speech or language delay
- Poor concentration or behaviour problems at school
- Earache or a feeling of fullness at times
- Balance problems or clumsiness
- Repeated ear infections
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if your child seems not to hear well, has speech delay, or has repeated ear infections. See an ENT surgeon if hearing problems last more than three months, or sooner if your child already has speech, language or developmental difficulties. See a doctor the same day for ear discharge with fever, swelling or redness behind the ear, or a child who is drowsy or unwell.
Treatment options
- Watchful waiting for about three months, as most cases resolve
- Hearing test and tympanometry to measure the fluid
- Autoinflation (blowing up a special balloon through the nose) in older children
- Grommet insertion: tiny ventilation tubes placed in the eardrum
- Adenoidectomy in some children, often with grommets
- Hearing aids for children who cannot have surgery
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the operations used to treat this condition. Your own quote follows an examination.
Common Questions
Will antibiotics clear glue ear?
No. Antibiotics, decongestants and antihistamines have not been shown to help glue ear in the long term. Time, and grommets where needed, are the effective treatments.
What are grommets?
Tiny tubes placed in the eardrum during a short procedure under general anaesthetic. They let air into the middle ear so hearing improves straight away. They fall out on their own, usually within six to eighteen months, and the eardrum heals.
Can my child swim with grommets?
Most children can swim on the surface after the first few weeks. Diving and swimming in dirty water should be avoided, and your surgeon may advise earplugs.
Will glue ear damage my child's hearing permanently?
Usually not. Hearing returns when the fluid clears. The risk lies in months of reduced hearing during speech and school development, which is why persistent cases are treated.
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