It wouldn’t feel very good to have glue in your ear, would it? But some children and adults suffer from a condition that’s been appropriately dubbed “glue ear”. What is glue ear, and what kind of problems can it cause?
What is glue ear?
Glue ear is a condition where the middle ear fills with a thick, sticky fluid that has the consistency of glue. It’s most common in children, although adults can get it too. The medical term for glue ear is chronic otitis media with effusion, which simply means build-up of fluid in the middle ear.
What causes glue ear?
Glue ear is most common in kids who get repeated ear infections. If the Eustachian tube that connects the ear to the throat becomes inflamed or swollen, it increases pressure in the middle ear, which leads to fluid build-up. Since the swollen Eustachian tube can’t adequately drain the fluid, it remains in the middle ear canal where it can thicken ― leading to the classic symptoms of glue ear.
What are the symptoms of glue ear?
Children with glue ear may experience ear fullness, but the most serious symptom is hearing loss, which occurs because the glue-like material in the middle ear impedes normal hearing. Fortunately, this hearing loss is reversible with treatment, but kids with glue ear may have trouble keeping up in school due to difficulty hearing the teacher. It can also delay speech development.
How is glue ear in children treated?
Many cases of glue ear in children resolve on their own over time. Unfortunately, if a child is having hearing problems, a “wait-and-see” approach may not work. Some doctors use antibiotics and decongestants to treat glue ear, which may be effective, but antibiotics have side-effects.
As a last resort, some doctors recommend placement of ear tubes for better ventilation and drainage of the middle ear. This should be reserved for cases that are unresponsive to other treatments and in situations where there’s hearing loss, especially since half of the cases of glue ear resolve without treatment within three months.
The bottom line
Glue ear can cause short-term hearing loss in kids who have it, but it’s a condition that usually goes away spontaneously over weeks to months. For this reason, the placement of ear tubes isn’t necessary in most cases.
.
© Edublox
Reading and learning made easy –
“It’s been six months … and already she is one of the top performers in her class”
I was told that my daughter would never make it in a mainstream school and that she had to be transferred to a remedial school... She is getting 6's and 7's and she is in mainstream school. Continue Reading
Zan’s Mom, South Africa Edublox Online Tutor December 21, 2013
Dyslexia case study presented at Kennesaw State University
The Edublox Program has given hope to a child who knew he was different, tried to fit in with his peers, and experienced failures in any aspects of school. His newly found confidence has allowed him to raise his hand in a classroom, dared him to try written material presented to him, and opened a world of "I can" instead of "I can't" on new material. Continue Reading
Carole Derrick, Primary Grades Teacher Edublox Online Tutor June 24, 2015
“His English has jumped from 42% to 58%; he is writing compositions that bring tears to my eyes”
Preneil was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of thirteen. His mother shares her son's progress after joining Edublox. Read the full story. Continue Reading
Devigi Pillay, South Africa Edublox Online Tutor January 26, 2016
“My dyslexic son doesn’t seem to be dyslexic anymore”
I never thought I would be writing this statement, but my dyslexic son doesn't seem to be dyslexic anymore! The symptoms have all disappeared. After all I've read on the subject of learning difficulties, this was not supposed to happen! Continue Reading
Laura Trudel, Canada Edublox Online Tutor November 12, 2016
“A program that truly stands up to [its] promises and offers hope to those who struggle”
We just received his first semester report card and I am so excited to say that he received an “A” in both English and Math. Continue Reading
Teresa M., California, US Edublox Online Tutor November 28, 2016
“He is devouring books at a rapid rate”
Six months ago reading a book was tortuous for him because even if he read it his reading was so faltering and full of mistakes that he couldn’t comprehend the text. Continue Reading
Abi Stinson, UK Edublox Online Tutor November 29, 2016
“After six weeks the improvements were very obvious”
The most noticeable improvement came with Math, because we were struggling trying to do his math at grade level (3rd grade), but then around six weeks into Edublox he could do his math at grade level (with the exception of telling time on a face clock and counting money). Continue Reading
Cindy B., Michigan, US Edublox Online Tutor December 1, 2016
“His reading age went up by 2 years in less than 6 months”
His spelling age improved as well and he also did really well in the end of year exams with his best results in most subjects. Continue Reading
Jenny & Greg, UK Edublox Online Tutor December 6, 2016
“In the first 9 weeks of school they have increased over 2 1/2 years”
Phonics just did not work. Last year they did not improve in their reading level all year. We started Edublox in June and already in the first 9 weeks of school they have increased over 2 1/2 years.... Their spelling has greatly improved and learning new words has become a game, not the dreaded chore it once was. Continue Reading
Nita Brist, Washington State, US Edublox Online Tutor December 11, 2016
“I feel as if part of my daughter’s mind was trapped, and Edublox set her free”
She is now almost an intuitive speller. Really, it's a miracle. Six months ago, her spelling tested at a Kindergarten level, and is now at a 6th grade level. This is just still so amazing to all of us who have struggled with her. Continue Reading
The Adams household in New Mexico Edublox Online Tutor December 15, 2016