Treatments for Glue Ear
Research* has shown medicine is usually ineffective in treating glue ear. After glue ear children have been assessed for the severity of their condition, and any additional risks, it will often be a case of simply 'watching and waiting'. This is because almost half of all glue ear cases will cure themselves within three months.**
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However, there is also something parents can do during the ‘watchful waiting’ period in order to potentially prevent the need for surgery. You can speak to your GP about Otovent, a clinically effective, glue ear treatment designed to reduce the need for surgical intervention. It’s convenient, increases chances of a shorter recovery time from glue ear and is the only clinically effective non invasive glue ear treatment for use during the ‘watchful waiting’ period. It is also available over the counter.
Using Otovent
Otovent is a small balloon which the child blows up using their nose. Otovent equalises the pressure and relieves the symptoms in the middle ear. The act of blowing up the balloon helps to open up the Eustachian tube, making it easier for fluid to drain from the middle ear. Otovent is best used three times a day (morning, midday or after school, and evening), or at least twice a day (morning and evening) if that is not possible, until all the fluid has been drained away. You will often start to see results as early as a few days into using the Otovent.
Grommet operation
It is presently the most common effective treatment for glue ear. It is an effective method of treating glue ear, but best results are much more likely in children with more severe and prolonged histories. Surgery happens under general anaesthetic and usually takes about 15 minutes. During the procedure, a very small ventilation tube – a grommet - is inserted into your child's ear through a small incision (cut) in their eardrum. The grommet helps to drain away fluid in the middle ear and will also help to maintain the air pressure in the middle ear cavity. Your child should be allowed to go home the same day.
A grommet helps keep the eardrum open for several months. As the eardrum starts to heal, the grommet will slowly be pushed out of the eardrum and, in most cases, eventually falls out. This process happens naturally and should not be painful. The majority of grommets fall out between 6 to 15 months after they have been inserted and probably 30% of children may need further grommets inserted in order to fully treat the condition.
You should also talk to your surgeon about potential risks and careers that may be prohibited after grommets operation.
Other treatments
It's not recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excelence (NICE) that your child takes antibiotics, antihistamines or decongestants for glue ear as they don't have any significant effect and have a number of harms or disadvantages. There is also the possibility that your child may have side-effects as a result of taking antibiotics.***
* www.nhs.uk
** www.bupa.co.uk
*** BMJ patient leaflet, 2007 (pdf, 63kb) 