Living with glue ear

Personal stories about living with glue ear

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 Confused and frustrated by inconsistent advice
Annetta Grams-Byrne's daughter Maja, four, has had glue ear for nearly three years. Related hearing problems, long waiting lists for a grommet operation and varying medical opinions about the best treatment have left Annetta confused and frustrated.

 Tired in class and lacks concentration
Oliver Sandell, 10, has glue ear and is having problems at school. He is frequently tired in class and lacks concentration, common symptoms of the condition.

 Dramatic improvement after operation
Mae Kelly, five, was diagnosed with glue ear in September 2003. Her condition was so bad that within a year she had an operation to insert grommets and remove both her adenoids and tonsils. Within two weeks her parents noticed a considerable difference in Mae's hearing, far exceeding expectations.

 Recurring bouts of glue ear
Hannah suffered recurring bouts of glue ear from the age of three to 12. Ongoing problems caused by the glue ear still affect Hannah, now 18 and at university.

 Perforated ear drums adds complications
Sarah Short has had glue ear for over a year. Complicated by perforated ear drums, the glue ear caused worrying hearing problems until hearing aids and an adenoidectomy improved the situation.

 Early assessment necessary
Barnaby Woolley, now nearly two, was put on various antibiotics over a seven week period, but these did not clear the glue ear up.