Glue Ear

Glue ear is when sticky fluid builds up in the middle part of your child's ear. Think of it like having glue inside the ear - this fluid can make it harder for your child to hear properly.

What Does Glue Ear Look Like?

The main sign is that your child can't hear as well as usual. You might notice they:

• Speak much louder than normal
• Ask "what?" a lot or need you to repeat things
• Want the TV or music turned up loud
• Seem to ignore you when you call from another room
• Find it hard to concentrate or seem tired and grumpy
• Struggle to understand what people are saying

Your child might also get earache or hear buzzing sounds in their ears. Some children feel a bit wobbly or off-balance too.

Why Does This Happen?

Glue ear is very common in children - much more common than in adults. The tubes inside children's ears are smaller and can get blocked more easily. This stops the sticky fluid from draining away normally.

When to See Your GP

Speak to your GP if your child shows any signs of hearing problems. Even if you think it might just be glue ear, it's important to get it checked.

The good news is that glue ear usually gets better on its own within 3 months. Your GP can look inside your child's ear with a special small telescope to see if there's fluid there. This doesn't hurt.

What Treatment Might Help?

Most of the time, doctors take a "wait and see" approach because glue ear often clears up by itself. There's no medicine that works well for glue ear.

Your GP might suggest something called "autoinflation" while you wait. This means:

• Blowing up a special balloon using one nostril at a time
• Or swallowing while pinching both nostrils closed

This can help the fluid drain away. Children need to do this several times each day, so it's only suitable for children over 3 years old.

If your child gets an ear infection along with glue ear, they might need antibiotics.

When Might Hospital Treatment Be Needed?

Your child might be referred to a specialist if:

• The glue ear is affecting their learning at school
• They had hearing problems before getting glue ear
• They have certain conditions like Down's syndrome

Hospital treatments include:

• Temporary hearing aids
• Grommets (tiny tubes put in the ear during a small operation)
• Rarely, surgery to remove glands at the back of the nose

Grommets are small tubes that help drain the fluid and keep the eardrum working properly. They usually fall out naturally within 6 to 12 months.

The Most Important Thing to Remember

If you're worried about your child's hearing, don't wait - speak to your GP. While glue ear usually gets better on its own, it's important to make sure that's what's causing the problem and to check if your child needs any help with their hearing while they wait to get better.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.