Glue Ear: A guide for those working with young children
(1)
What is glue ear?
Glue ear, also known as otitis media with effusion (OME), is a common condition among young children. It is supposedly most common between the ages of 1 and 6 {2}. The ear is divided into three parts - the inner, middle and outer {3}. Glue ear occurs when the middle ear becomes filled with a sticky fluid, similar to glue {3}. When it comes to hearing, vibrations travel through the three parts of the ear until they reach a portion of the inner ear called the cochlea. The cochlea resembles a snail’s shell and is responsible for converting vibrations into nerve impulses which can be sent to the brain and interpreted {4}. The fluid caused by glue ear affects this process as it dampens the vibrations and stops the ear drum from moving freely, so sounds cant be carried to the inner ear as well as usual. …show more content…
One major cause is linked to the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is a tube that links the pharynx to the middle ear {5}. If the tube is too small or blocked, as it so commonly is in children, the balance of fluid and air in the middle ear may be altered. Once air makes its way through the middle ear and passes into the nearby cells, a vacuum will form if the air is not replaced in the eustachian tube {3}.
Glue ear is often associated with having a cold or ear infection, this is because these illnesses are linked to the production and build-up of excess mucus. This mucus can build up in the middle ear and then struggle to drain down the Eustachian tube, causing glue ear {3}.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is hearing loss. The severity differs from child to child and depends on a variety of factors e.g. when the child has a cold {6}. The condition can affect either one ear or both ears at
(1)
What is glue ear?
Glue ear, also known as otitis media with effusion (OME), is a common condition among young children. It is supposedly most common between the ages of 1 and 6 {2}. The ear is divided into three parts - the inner, middle and outer {3}. Glue ear occurs when the middle ear becomes filled with a sticky fluid, similar to glue {3}. When it comes to hearing, vibrations travel through the three parts of the ear until they reach a portion of the inner ear called the cochlea. The cochlea resembles a snail’s shell and is responsible for converting vibrations into nerve impulses which can be sent to the brain and interpreted {4}. The fluid caused by glue ear affects this process as it dampens the vibrations and stops the ear drum from moving freely, so sounds cant be carried to the inner ear as well as usual. …show more content…
One major cause is linked to the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is a tube that links the pharynx to the middle ear {5}. If the tube is too small or blocked, as it so commonly is in children, the balance of fluid and air in the middle ear may be altered. Once air makes its way through the middle ear and passes into the nearby cells, a vacuum will form if the air is not replaced in the eustachian tube {3}.
Glue ear is often associated with having a cold or ear infection, this is because these illnesses are linked to the production and build-up of excess mucus. This mucus can build up in the middle ear and then struggle to drain down the Eustachian tube, causing glue ear {3}.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is hearing loss. The severity differs from child to child and depends on a variety of factors e.g. when the child has a cold {6}. The condition can affect either one ear or both ears at