Glue Ear: Are antibiotics and grommets the only option?
GLUE EAR: ARE ANTIBIOTICS AND GROMMETS THE ONLY OPTION?
Many children will have ear infections that are painful, but generally not serious,
and they will recover quickly. But some cases linger, and this is the most common
cause of hearing loss in children. When it lasts for a long time, speech and
language development may be affected. The main causes of ear infections are
upper respiratory tract infections and allergies. Excess mucous collects in
the ear and the bugs from the nose and sinuses spread to the area. The tube that
connects the middle ear to the nose and sinuses (the Eustachian tube) normally
allows this excess fluid to drain away. In children, this tube is smaller, meaning
that the fluid drains away less easily. It collects in the middle ear causing inflammation,
pain and in some cases, the build-up of a sticky fluid behind the eardrum. It is then known
as 'glue ear'.
The treatment options have included antibiotics and surgery for the Insertion of 'grommets'.
These are small ventilation tubes that allow the draining of the excess fluid. Unfortunately
these options are limited in their treatment success. Antibiotics have been shown in a large
clinical review to be ineffective, and experts say the insertion of grommets are helpful for six
months only, with little benefit on speech and language development.
A recent British study of 320 children investigated a third option, known as auto inflation.
The study showed that after three months treatment, half the children had normal middle
ear pressure as measured by tympanogram and had more days symptom free. The simple, low
cost intervention uses a nasal balloon, marketed as Otovent, which the child blows up three times
per day. It helps to open up the Eustachian tube, allowing the fluid to drain away from the middle ear
more easily. It needs to be done regularly - three times per day for three months.