Introduction
About four in every five children have at least one mild bout of glue ear in early childhood
What is glue ear?
Glue ear (also known as otitis media with effusion) is a build up of sticky fluid in the middle ear space of one or both ears.
How does glue ear affect a child?
Although it starts off as a physical problem, glue ear can affect your child in other ways.
What are the signs of glue ear?
Children with glue ear experience differing degrees of hearing loss. There may be no loss of hearing at all, or it may be quite severe.
What should I do if I suspect my child has glue ear?
If you are a parent and you suspect your child has a hearing difficulty or glue ear, trust your judgement and consult your family doctor - if possible, get an appointment close to a time when you are fairly sure that your child's hearing is affected.
What are the treatments for glue ear?
The main treatments for glue ear fall into three categories: antibiotics, autoinflation, and operations.
How can I reduce the chances of my child getting glue ear?
The main risk factors for glue ear relate to smoking, day care, breast feeding, and allergies.
How should I communicate with my child?
Remind yourself (and others) that your child may be missing out on many of the little things in life because of a hearing problem.
What can teachers do to help?
If your child has glue ear it is important to let his/her teacher know. Particularly, let the teacher know when your child is in a good phase or a bad phase.
How should a teacher communicate with a child with glue ear?
Tips for teachers who have children with glue ear in their class
