This is called auto-inflation. It puts back pressure into the nose and may help to open up the Eustachian tube and allow better drainage of the fluid. The child needs to do this regularly until the fluid clears. The research studies that looked into this treatment found that it seems to help in some cases but not all. It may improve middle ear function and reduce the need for an operation.
It is difficult for young children to do properly. With well-motivated older children who can use the device, it may be worth a try. It is not thought to cause any side-effects or problems. A small operation may be advised by an ear specialist if your child's glue ear persists, or is severe.
This involves inserting small tubes called grommets see below. The operation isn't done as often as it used to be because it is now realised that most cases of glue ear get better without treatment.
Also there isn't a lot of evidence that surgery makes much difference to a child's speech or language development. Hearing aids are an option instead of an operation to insert grommets in children with hearing loss who have glue ear in both ears.
The hearing aids would usually only be used for the time until the glue ear clears away. You and your child should have an opportunity to discuss this option with the specialist and your views should be taken into account. The anxiety caused to some children by having to wear aids sometimes outweighs the benefits.
The operation is usually done as a day case, and usually an overnight stay in hospital is not needed. Your child will need to be put to sleep for a short time have a general anaesthetic. The operation involves making a tiny cut about mm in the eardrum, whilst the child is under anaesthetic. The fluid is drained and a ventilation tube grommet is then usually inserted. A grommet is like a tiny pipe that is put across the eardrum.
The grommet lets air get into the middle ear. Hearing improves immediately. This improvement in hearing only lasts as long as the grommet stays in place. Grommets normally fall out of the ear as the eardrum grows, usually after months. The grommet is so small that you probably won't notice it. By this time the glue ear has often gone away.
The hole in the eardrum made for the grommet normally heals quickly when the grommet falls out. Sometimes grommets need to be put in on more than one occasion if glue ear returns recurs. Most children have no problems after surgery.
Discharge and infection are the most common complications. Rarely, a condition called tympanosclerosis occurs in which a chalky sort of substance develops in the eardrum. It's not certain whether this causes any long-term problems. A small hole perforation of the eardrum occasionally persists in the eardrum after the grommet has come out.
This usually heals without treatment but occasionally a small operation is needed to fix it. Minor damage and scarring to the eardrum may occur but this is unlikely to cause any problems. All general anaesthetics carry a risk, but only a very tiny one.
Your anaesthetist will explain this to you. Children with grommets can go swimming but should avoid diving. Swimming caps and earplugs are not necessary. You should avoid ducking your child's head in soapy water. Children with grommets do not need to avoid flying in an aeroplane. If anything, they will have less pain with taking off and landing as the pressure between the middle and outer ear will be more equal.
This is probably due to frustration on the part of the child who cannot hear properly. For children under the age of four years, this will probably be at a community hearing clinic. For older children, they will probably be referred to an ENT ear, nose and throat clinic in a hospital to see a specialist and have a hearing test.
For most children, the glue ear will get better with no treatment. You will probably be asked to come back for a second hearing test three or four months after the first test.
Many children will get better over this time. This may be grommet surgery or adenoidectomy and grommet surgery. The evidence is that neither medical treatments such as antibiotics or antihistamines nor alternative treatments such as cranial osteopathy are any better than waiting for a period of three months to see if the glue ear clears on its own.
Hearing aids will help the hearing and give more time for the glue ear to clear. Read more on myDr website. A grommet is a tiny tube inserted into the eardrum to allow air to enter the middle ear. Grommets can treat glue ear and recurrent middle ear infections. Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website. Common ear problems include otitis media and glue ear which mostly affect children , ear wax build-up and swimmer's ear otitis externa. Find out what products are available for ear problems.
Children with middle ear infections usually have pain or discomfort in the ear. Read more on raisingchildren. Read more on Better Health Channel website. Otitis media middle ear infection is a common childhood illness causing earache and fever. It usually gets better quickly with pain relievers but sometimes antibiotics are needed. Middle ear infection: should my child take antibiotics? Downloads Middle ear infection: should my child take antibiotics? Publication year Resource type Fact sheet or brochure Topics Antimicrobial resistance, use and stewardship Health conditions, diseases and treatments Partnering with consumers.
Eardrum perforation can be caused by infection, a blow to the ear, injury from an object inserted in the ear, or exposure to a sudden loud noise. Otitis media is an umbrella term encompassing all types of inflammation and infection of the middle ear, which is the air-filled, membrane-lined cavity located behind the eardrum.
If your child has glue ear for more than 3 months or repeated episodes of glue ear, they should see an ENT ear, nose and throat specialist. The specialist may arrange a hearing test for your child.
If your child has had grommets and continues to have hearing or developmental issues, they may need a hearing test. They may also need to see a specialist again. Please note: Permission to copy KidsHealth content, with acknowledgement, does not extend to Dr Peter Allen's artwork on this page.
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