5 What is 'glue ear'?
6 What treatments are available for it?

ANSWERS

5 Otitis media with effusion (OME), commonly known as 'glue ear', is the build-up of fluid in the middle ear and Eustachian tube. It prevents the eardrum vibrating properly, causing hearing loss.

It usually follows an episode of otitis media and occurs most frequently in children between the ages of 1 and 6, although it can affect older children. By age 10, 80% of children will have suffered at least one bout of OME. The condition is uncommon in adults.

6 OME is a self-limiting condition, usually resolving spontaneously within 6-10 weeks. Pharmacological treatment is generally ineffective: antihistamines, decongestants, steroids and antibiotics have been found to be of no benefit1.The use of an autoinflation device €“ where a balloon is inflated by blowing into it from one nostril, while sealing the other nostril with a finger, resulting in an increase in intranasal pressure and opening of the Eustachian tube to produce a Valsalva manoeuvre to relieve OME €“ is harmless but evidence for its effectiveness is limited. Myringotomy (an incision into the ear drum) and drainage of fluid with insertion of a ventilation tube (grommet) is sometimes performed in chronic cases, but the effect on hearing loss has been found to be small and diminishing with time2.