Some Facts About Glue Ear
June 30, 2010 by Jacob Walker
Filed under Business
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. Approximately one in 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 two to five. However, there are still risks it can occur at later stages, including adulthood.
Glue ear, unfortunately, is sometimes overlooked. There are a few warning signs however, like temporary hearing loss and a stuffy feeling in the ears.
Glue ear is very common though. One episode predicts another. It has been proven that children who have experienced glue ear once have more risk in having recurrent episodes.
Certain other risk factors that contribute to glue ear include:
- constant exposure to nicotine smoke
- often having cough and cold
- having a family history of glue ears; and
- as a baby, he or she was bottle fed rather than breast fed
The most common symptom of glue ear is having dulled hearing. Sometimes, children who are affected may end up deaf completely. Hearing loss can range from mild to severe. If it persists, it will affect the normal intellectual development of the child.
A very uncommon symptom, but mild earache may happen from time to time. Affected children would pull at their ears if they feel pain.
Children who have glue ear have a propensity to show behavioral problems and slower speech development. These are commonly caused by the fact that they cannot hear well.
Luckily, glue ear can be treated. Also, most glue ears will resolve by themselves. However, if glue ear persists, surgery may be needed to eliminate the glue-like fluid from the middle ear and to place a ventilation tube or “grommet” in the ear drum. It sits across the eardrum, connecting the outer and middle ears, hence allowing pressure in the middle ear to become normal or equalize with the atmosphere.
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