Glue ear is a condition wherein fluid accumulates in the middle ear, just behind the eardrum. It is the most common cause of partial deafness in children. Approximately one out of four children get affected by glue ear at some stage of their childhood. Boys are at higher risk of this disease, being the most affected between ages two to five. Even so, there are still chances it can occur at later stages, including adulthood.
Glue ear, unfortunately, sometimes goes unnoticed. There are some warnings however, like temporary hearing loss and a stuffy feeling in the ears.
Glue ear is very common though. One occurrence predicts another. It has been proven that children who have experienced glue ear once have more risk in having recurrent episodes.
Other risk factors that may contribute to higher risk of glue ear are:
- living in a place where people smoke
- having recurrent cough and cold
- glue ears is common in the family; and
- as a baby, he or she was bottle fed rather than breast fed
Dulled hearing is the most common symptom of glue ear. Sometimes, children who are affected may end up deaf completely. Hearing loss may vary from mild to severe. If it continues, it will affect the child’s normal intellectual development.
Pain is a very uncommon symptom, but mild earache may occur from time to time. Some affected children would pull at their ears if they experience pain.
Children with glue ear have a propensity to have behavioral problems and slower speech development. These are commonly due to the fact that they cannot hear well.
Luckily, glue ear can be treated. Also, most of the time it 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 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 normalize or be equal with the atmosphere.
Is sinusitis causing a negative impact on your life? Get help from an ENT to improve your life’s quality.. Check here for free reprint license: Some Information About Glue Ear.
Related posts:
- How To Know If You Have Tonsillitis
- How To Spot Permanent Hearing Loss Symptoms
- Why Sinusitis Is Regarded As A Social Life Destroyer
- Childhood Ailments: Chronic Cough
- Chronic Ear Infection
- How To Detect Sleep Apnea
- Examining Important Information On Various Types Of Headaches
- Nasal Polyps Might Be Causing You These 7 Problems
- Symptoms Of Ringing In The Ears You Should Be Aware Of
- Thyroid Lumps Specialist-Teaching You How To Properly Take Care Of Your Thyroid Glands
0 Comments.