Glue ear (otitis media)

No, your kids haven’t put Clag in their ear - nor is it the name of a television rhythm & blues singer! The condition is named after the thick fluid that collects in the middle ear and is most common in young children.

What happens?

The middle ear is where sound is amplified and transmitted and is normally filled with air. That comes every time you swallow, via the Eustachian tube, which is located behind the nose. Little kids have small Eustachian tubes that can block easily after a cold or hay fever.

So that’s where all that green muck from their nose goes?

Actually no. If the Eustachian tubes are blocked, the middle ear lining produces thick mucus, like glue, which then fills the middle ear.

How do parents tell if it’s a middle ear problem?

Most obvious is that their child may have trouble hearing…important things like dinner time! They may complain of intermittent pain in their ear and show loss of balance. Melted ear wax around the outer part of the ear is a good indicator that all is not in order.

And the result?

Hearing is impaired. If the condition doesn’t clear of its own accord within three months (which does occur naturally in most cases), then antibiotics are the next course of action.

If that doesn’t work, its grommet time, (but not as in Wallace and …).  They are a small plastic device, similar in shape to a cotton bobbin that is placed in the ear drum to permit air to enter. Insertion is done by an ENT surgeon as day surgery.

They usually last in the ear for about two years and are pushed out by normal growth, by which time most children have larger Eustachian tubes.

What about swimming, or having a bath or shower?

Some little people might think that will mean a less vigorous approach to personal hygiene, but no. The main objective is to prevent any fluid entering the ear. Ear plugs, swimming caps or even blutack will do the job. Otherwise an infection may result, with mucus discharging from the ear. Antibiotics will clear that up, but hearing will once again be impaired while the infection remains.

Why grommets?

In young children, hearing impairment may delay speech and in older children their progress at school may be affected.

The information provided in this article is intended as a guide only. Always consult your doctor if you or your child is suffering any medical complaint. Any websites referred to by Australian Family contain information moderated by government and medical institutions or organisations.

This article was first published in Australian Family Magazine, October 2008. Updated July 2009.