Glue ear, also known as adhesive otitis is one of the most common childhood illness. It happens when the middle part of your ear fills with a thick, sticky fluid like a glue that affects the hearing abilities. Glue ear may not show any symptom. But you may notice the following behaviour if your child has glue ears.
- Speaks louder than usual
- Has difficulty hearing people
- Asks people to repeat what they said
- Does not respond to the voice from far
- Complains about buzzing and ringing in the ear
- Increases the volume of the television, and other electronic devices
If you notice any of these signs in your child, visit a top ENT specialist in Islamabad. If not treated at an early stage, glue ear can cause infection of the middle ear that can lead to permanent damage to the ear.
What Causes Glue Ear?
The cause of glue ear is a thick sticky fluid that fills it up. Children are more prone to it as compared to adults because their eustachian tubes are narrower than those of adults and can readily get clogged. Under normal conditions, these tubes are filled with air. Sometimes due to any illness like cold or flu fluid accumulates that gives a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Moreover, the fluid build-up can also lead to infections of the ear. Severe allergies may also let fluid to build up in the ear, hence causing glue ear. Children with Down’s syndrome and cleft palate are more prone to having glue ear because they have smaller eustachian tubes that do not function well. Other factors that can cause it are:
- Exposure to passive smoking
- A bottle-fed child
- Seasonal allergies
How is Glue Ear Treated?
You must take your child to a healthcare provider if they complain about ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear. At times, glue ear resolves on its own. The ENT specialist will watch your child for three months period called watchful waiting. If the problem does not resolve on its own, the healthcare providers may offer your child for a surgical intervention like grommets or hearing aid.
Grommets
Grommets are tiny tubes of plastic measuring 1.5mm in length. The doctor would insert in your ear. So that air circulates inside it, and fluid accumulation does not take place. The doctor may perform it in a hospital, under general anaesthesia for a short time after draining the fluid from the ear. The whole procedure may take a day. Grommets may stay in your child’s ear for up to six to twelve months until the eardrum heals and pushes them away.
Otovent Nasal Balloon
Otovent nasal balloon is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure. Mostly during the period of watchful waiting, the ENT doctor would ask your child to perform this procedure. During it, auto inflation takes place. Your child would be asked to inflate a balloon through the mouth with nosepiece on the nose. It will help in pushing back the air from throat to ear, that will eventually help in draining the fluid naturally from the ear.
Hearing Aid
Hearing aids are little devices that help your child in hearing louder. They are a temporary solution to the complaint of hearing difficulty.
Conclusion
In many cases, glue ear tends to resolve on its own. It takes three months for the ear fluid to drain completely. Your doctor would wait for three months for the condition to resolve on its own. Do not prolong the symptoms if you or your child hear louder. If you have any complain regarding ear, visit the best ENT specialist in Islamabad.
