Glue ear, formally known as otitis media with effusion (OME) is a normally painless condition in which sticky fluid gathers in the middle (inner) ear behind the eardrum. In most cases, the condition clears up on its own. However, the "British Journal of General Practice" says glue ear is the most common reason children undergo surgery. OME can affect people of all ages, but it's most common among small children under age 2.The symptoms associated with glue ear can be subtle or non-existent.
Hearing Loss
Because glue ear generally doesn't cause ear pain, its symptoms may be overlooked. The most common sign of OME is hearing loss, along with a full feeling or stuffiness in the ears. Some people with glue ear describe the hearing impairment as muffled. One or both ears can be affected. Children with glue ear may experience recurrent bouts of middle ear infections.
The hearing loss associated with glue ear may appear better or worse from one day to the next. The level of impairment may vary due to factors such as the thickness of the ear fluid and whether the child has a cold.
The average length of time fluid persists in the ears is about four weeks. In the majority of cases (90 percent) ear fullness should clear within three months, according to Patient UK, a health information site.
Physical Symptoms
Sometimes there are other symptoms associated otitis media with effusion other than hearing loss, including fluid draining from the ears. Glue ear may also produce a fever or headache. Glue ear can also result in sleeping difficulties.
Although pain is not a common, symptoms of OME a child may occasionally experience. A young child who is unable to express their pain may tug at their ear.
Behavioral Cues
In some cases the only evidence of glue ear are changes in behavior. A child may become irritable, tired and frustrated. He may appear sluggish in their attempts to talk, walk or understand when he is being spoken to. Older children may verbally express that they are unable to hear properly. They may say "what" repeatedly or turn up the volume of the television louder than usual. School age children with OME may begin to have problems in the classroom because of the hearing loss.
