What Is Glue Ear?
Glue ear is a common condition where glue-like fluid collects in the middle ear, behind the eardrum. It is the most common reason of partial deafness in children. About one out of four children get affected by glue ear at one point of their childhood. It is more common in boys, being the most affected between ages 2 to 5. However, there are still chances it can happen at later stages, including adulthood.
Glue ear, unfortunately, is sometimes overlooked. There are some warning signs though, like having a stuffy feeling in the ears, and temporary hearing loss.
Glue ear is very common though. One occurrence predicts another. It has been known that children who have had one episode of glue ear are more likely to have recurrent episodes.
Certain other risk factors that contribute to glue ear are:
- living in a place where people smoke
- having recurrent cough & cold
- having a family history of glue ears; and
- as a baby, the child was bottle fed rather than breast fed
The most common symptom of glue ear is dulled hearing. Sometimes, children who are affected might end up deaf completely. Hearing loss can range from mild to severe. If it persists, it will affect the child’s normal intellectual development.
A very uncommon symptom, but mild earache may occur from time to time. Some affected children would pull at their ears if they have pain.
Children who have glue ear tend to have slower speech development and even behavioral problems. These are commonly due to the fact that they cannot hear well.
Luckily, glue ear can be treated. In fact, most glue ears will resolve on their own. However, should glue ear persist, surgery may be required to remove the glue-like fluid from the middle ear and to place a ‘grommet’ (ventilation tube) in the ear drum. It sits across the eardrum, connecting the middle and outer ears, hence allowing pressure in the middle ear to become normal or equalize with the atmosphere.
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categories: ENT Specialist,ENT specialist Singapore,hearing loss,health,Sinus,sinusitis,sleep apnea,snoring,Allergy,Cough
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