# data[].attributes.body
Please read this first

# data[].attributes.headline
If you don't read anything else... READ THIS 

# data[].attributes.subject
If you don't read anything else... READ THIS 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ways to help support a child with glue ear — Glue Ear Together

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Simple tips to support a child with glue ear

# data[].attributes.headline
NHS glue ear information - including video 

# data[].attributes.subject
NHS glue ear information - including video 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Your child has signs of a hearing problem, such as:

speaking loudly

being difficult to understand

asking people to repeat what they say

asking for the TV or music to be turned up loud

strugglng to hear people far away

becoming easily distracted when people are talking

finding it hard to concentrate or seeming tired and irritable because it's harder for them to listen

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out what glue ear is, what causes it, what a GP can do to help, and how it's treated.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is glue ear?

Glue ear happens when the middle ear (behind the eardrum) becomes filled with sticky fluid. Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the medical name for glue ear. It's very common - 1 in 5 pre-school children have glue ear at any one time and 8 out of 10 children will experience glue ear before the age of 10.

For ears to work properly the middle ear needs to be kept full of air. The air travels through the eustachian tube which runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat. In children this tube is not as vertical and wide as it will be when they get older and as a result doesn't work as well. If the eustachian tube becomes blocked, air cannot enter the middle ear. When this happens, the cells lining the middle ear begin to produce fluid. This is a runny liquid which can get thicker as it fills the middle ear. If your child has glue ear your GP may describe their ear or ears as being 'congested'.

With fluid blocking the middle ear, it becomes harder for sound to pass through to the inner ear, making quieter sounds difficult to hear.

Glue ear can affect one or both ears.

For more information, download our booklet Glue Ear: A guide for parents or visit the NHS website to watch a video explaining what glue ear is and how it's treated.

To chat to other parents of children experiencing glue ear, visit our glue ear group on Facebook.

What causes glue ear?

Many things can contribute to glue ear, such as colds and flu, allergies and passive smoking. It's often but not always linked with ear infections.

Children with cleft palate, or with genetic conditions such as Down's syndrome, may be more likely to get glue ear as they often have smaller eustachian tubes that don't function well.

Parents, Scott and Siobhan, talk to us about what it's like for their son, Bayley, to have a cleft palate, his glue ear operation and hearing loss in our video.

Does my child have glue ear?

Spot the signs of glue ear

Changes in behaviour.

Becoming tired.

A lack of concentration.

Preferring to play alone.

Not responding when called.

These signs can often be mistaken for stubbornness, rudeness and being naughty. You could ask your child's teacher, or other people your child has had recent close contact with, if they've noticed any of these signs.

Glue ear (otitis media with effusion) can cause temporary deafness and a prolonged period of time with reduced hearing can affect children's speech and language development, for example, parts of words may not be pronounced clearly. They may also fall behind at school if they don't have extra support.

What should I do if I think my child has glue ear?

Arrange an appointment with your GP. Often glue ear is associated with a heavy cold and will clear up when the congestion from the cold has gone.

Your GP will examine your child's ears and should be able to tell if they have glue ear. They may describe your child's ear or ears as 'congested'. If there is any pain or sign of infection your GP may prescribe a course of antibiotics. It's likely that your child won't receive any treatment for the first three months, but they should be monitored by your GP, known as 'watchful waiting'. If the symptoms continue your GP, health visitor or school nurse can refer you to the audiology or ear, nose and throat (ENT) department at your local hospital.

How do they test for glue ear?

An audiologist will examine your child's ears and a further assessment will be carried out. This will include a tympanometry test, which measures how well the eardrum can move. If there is fluid in the middle ear the eardrum won't move properly.

A graph (called a tympanogram) will show the results straight away. A hearing test should also be done to check if the glue ear is affecting your child's hearing and by how much. These tests are very quick and are completely painless.

The audiologist should explain the results of all the tests and discuss the best way to manage your child's symptoms. It's a good idea to monitor the glue ear with repeated tests at least three months apart. For most children, the glue ear will clear up in this time. If it hasn't, you may be offered grommetsor temporary hearing aids.

Factors which may affect glue ear

Breastfeeding

It's known that breast milk provides essential nutrients to help children to fight off infections in the first few months of their life. Breastfeeding also passes on the mother's natural protection against illness. Research has shown that children who have been breastfed from birth are less likely to get glue ear at a young age. Ask your GP or health visitor for more information.

It may help to feed your baby (either breastfeeding or with a bottle) in a sitting position rather than lying flat. This helps prevent fluids entering the eustachian tube during feeding.

Smoke-free environment

Research carried out by the Department of Health has shown that all children are more likely to get ear infections and glue ear if they're often in a smoky environment. A child is likely to experience glue ear for as long as the environment remains smoky.

Parents should try to make their children's environment smoke-free e.g. the home and car. If it's not possible to make the environment entirely smoke-free, then smoking should be confined to an area not used much by children. It's important to remember that simply opening a window is not enough, as many dangerous smoke particles will stay in the air.

Allergies

Research suggests that allergy may be related to persistent glue ear in some children. You can ask your GP about testing your child for allergies or referral to an NHS allergy clinic if you think this might be the cause. Allergies to fur, pollen, dust mites or some foods may cause the eustachian tube to swell and this can prevent fluid from draining from the middle ear. For more information on allergy, you may like to contact the charity Allergy UK.

Treating glue ear

Find out more about the different treatment options for glue ear here.

How can my child's school help?

Support at school for children with glue ear

Children's hearing can be affected for long periods of time while waiting to see if the glue ear clears up naturally or while on the waiting list to have the grommet operation or hearing aids. Some children will have glue ear for long periods that may persist through secondary school, so it's important that your child's speech and education doesn't suffer.

If the glue ear persists and leads to children experiencing mild hearing loss, research shows that it can have a major impact on their development, but fortunately, there are lots of things that schools can do to support children with mild hearing loss.

As a starting point, talk to your child's teacher or the person who has been designated by the school to identify children with special or additional educational needs to ask for extra support at school. In England, this person is known as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). You could also talk to a Teacher of the Deaf (ToD) from the local authority specialist education service for deaf children.

The school aren't taking my child's glue ear seriously

Many parents of children with glue ear have told us that their child's school doesn't understand the impact glue ear can have on their child's academic and speech and language development. They don't always do enough to support children with glue ear.

England

The law ( Children and Families Act 2014) requires that schools in England take steps to support children with medical conditions. Glue ear can be regarded as a 'medical condition'. Schools must also follow government guidance called Supporting children with medical conditions. This guidance requires schools to make sure that:

children with medical conditions are supported so that they have full access to education, including to physical education and school trips

staff receive appropriate training

there is someone in charge of how the school supports children with medical conditions

they have a policy that sets out how they will support children with medical conditions (this should be readily available).

If you're concerned about the support that your child is receiving, make sure that the school is clear that your child has a medical condition. Ask them how they'll make sure they are meeting the requirements of the government guidance.

Wales

The Welsh Government has produced guidance for schools on children with medical conditions.

Scotland

If you live in Scotland, your child may be regarded as having 'additional support needs'. Schools in Scotland are required to provide support for these children, even if this support is only needed for a short while. The Enquire website has more information on additional support for learning and on your rights in this area.

If your child's glue ear is lasting for a long time and impacting on their education, they may be regarded as having special or additional educational needs. Schools and other education providers should provide special or additional educational support. Find out more about getting additional support at school.

If your child's glue ear is likely to, or has, lasted for at least 12 months, without clearing up, then your child may be regarded as having a disability under the Equality Act. This means that schools and other education providers in England, Scotland and Wales must ensure they take steps to prevent discrimination and also proactively provide support to counter any disadvantage that your child may experience. Find out more about the Equality Act and your child's education.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own anti-discrimination legislation:

The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (SENDO)

The Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

To find out more information on disability legislation in Northern Ireland call the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland on 028 90 890 890or visit their website.

What you can do

Explain to your child's teacher and/or SENCO that although glue ear is usually temporary, your child is deaf and needs extra help. Show them your child's most recentaudiogram so the school understands what your child can and can't hear.

Seek advice from the local authority specialist education service for deaf children, who employ teams of Teachers of the Deaf (ToDs). Not all services provide direct support to children with temporary or mild hearing loss but they should provide the school with guidance and information. If your child has a hearing aid, they should have a ToD.

Tell them about us! The National Deaf Children's Society supports children with all types of hearing loss, including glue ear, and has lots ofinformation for professionals who work with deaf children.

Share our resources with your child's teacher (and anyone else who works closely with your child) to help them understand howglue earormild hearing loss affects children in the classroom and what steps they can do to help make listening and learning easier.

Encourage your child's teacher to share ourdeaf awareness tips and resources with the other children so that they know how to communicate with, and include, your child.

Explain the benefits ofreducing background noise in the classroom as much as possible.

Ensure that staff and pupils knowhow to communicate clearly and effectively with your child.

Check that there has been an assessmentof your child's needs.

Create apersonal passportorprofilethat summarises all the most important information about your child so that school can support your child in the best way possible.

Your child might needspecial educational needs (SEN) support.

If you're still concerned that your child's school isn't doing enough or that your child is falling behind at school, contact our Freephone Helpline for support and guidance on what to do next.

Can my child fly with glue ear?

Generally children with glue ear (otitis media with effusion) don't experience problems flying, although sometimes doctors don't recommend it depending on the current condition of the ears.

The build-up of fluid in the middle ear can expand during take-off and, more commonly, landing due to changes in cabin pressure, causing discomfort. The risk is the fluid expands so much the eardrum perforates; if this happens a doctor should prescribe antibiotics but there is normally no long-term damage.

Before flying, we strongly recommend seeing your GP who may prescribe decongestant medication.

Eating and drinking during take-off and landing will help open your child's eustachian tubes and prevent discomfort. Special ear plugs known as 'EarPlanes' (available from pharmacies) can help to reduce discomfort from changes in air pressure.

How we can help

We are here for all children and young people who are deaf or experience temporary hearing loss, including glue ear.

Join us for free to get access to one-to-one guidance from our experts, the chance to meet other families of deaf children and children experiencing glue ear, plus regular updates on the topics that are most important to you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Causes of glue ear | Information about glue ear

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Glue ear and related infections are the most common reason for children under five years old to visit their GP - 80% of children under 10 will get glue ear

# data[].attributes.headline
NHS publication - Making a decision about glue ear if your child has hearing loss 

# data[].attributes.subject
NHS publication - Making a decision about glue ear if your child has hearing loss 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to treat temporary deafness caused by glue ear | Glue ear

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Eight out of 10 children will experience glue ear and temporary deafness before the age of 10. Read about how to treat glue ear and the different options available to you and your deaf child.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Otovent® Glue Ear Treatment: Information For Parents

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Canadian Medical Association Journal — CMAJ

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Nasal balloon autoinflation safe and effective for chronic ear infections in children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Procedures and treatments from Great Ormond Street Hospital on Treatment of glue ear with grommets

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bone conduction hearing devices | Hearing implants

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you are considering getting a bone conducting hearing aid for your child, you can get information on some of the advantages and disadvantages of BCHIs or bone conducting hearing implants can be an option for some deaf children with: permanent conductive deafness, microtia, and deafness in one ear

# data[].attributes.headline
Glue ear advice for families and early years practitioners 

# data[].attributes.subject
Glue ear advice for families and early years practitioners 

# data[].attributes.headline
Glue ear with hearing loss support sheet (preschool settings) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Glue ear with hearing loss support sheet (preschool settings) 

# data[].attributes.body
Top tips

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ways to help support a child with glue ear — Glue Ear Together

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Simple tips to support a child with glue ear

# data[].attributes.headline
Glue ear with hearing loss support sheet (primary) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Glue ear with hearing loss support sheet (primary) 

# data[].attributes.headline
Understanding hearing loss - MESH guides

# data[].attributes.subject
Understanding hearing loss - MESH guides

# data[].attributes.body
All types and levels of hearing loss are covered but there are some links that may be useful e.g. in the Conductive section there are further animations demonstrating glue ear and in the Top Tips section there are some more links that will support pre school settings and schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Listening starts in the womb. At 24 weeks gestation the bones of the middle ear are fully formed. At 30 weeks a baby hears the rhythm and intonation of speech, can access some vowel sounds in the womb and recognises their mother’s voice (Crystal, 2010).

# data[].attributes.body
Glue Ear Together is a national charity, which provides clear, up-to-date information to promote positive outcomes for children with glue ear. Visit this website to find information about the cause of Glue Ear, the impact, the interventions and ways you can help.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Helping you to support your child

We know that the best advocate for your child is you! We want to empower you with everything you need to know about what glue ear is, how it can impact your child's behaviour and development, and what you can do to help your child day-to-day. At Glue Ear Together, we believe that armed with the right knowledge parents and carers have an important part to play in achieving positive outcomes - and together we are here to support you. We value and draw upon the practical knowledge of parents and carers who are 'experts by experience', and acknowledge the value of peer support.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Glue Ear Together is a national charity providing information about glue ear to empower parents and professionals and promote positive outcomes

# data[].attributes.headline
Glue ear advice for families and early years practitioners 

# data[].attributes.subject
Glue ear advice for families and early years practitioners 

# data[].attributes.headline
National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) 

# data[].attributes.subject
National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
National Deaf Children's Society | Supporting deaf children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We are the National Deaf Children's Society, the leading charity for deaf children and young people. We're here to support every deaf child who needs us.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hear Glue Ear App | Cambridge Digital Health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A free, award-winning app, providing resources for children, experiencing hearing loss due to glue ear.

# data[].attributes.body
To help you understand and support your child’s hearing loss this video clip explains an audiogram. We hope you find it useful.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The First Audiogram - Moderate (Captioned)

# data[].attributes.body
Helping people with sensory loss to communicate effectively and live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Support For Deafness and Visual Impairment in Northwest England - DSN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
DSN provides a wide range of sensory support services for visually impaired, deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people across the Northwest of England

# data[].attributes.headline
I'm Hear - Supporting Deaf children and those with hearing loss to improve their lives through better awareness and communication.

# data[].attributes.subject
I'm Hear - Supporting Deaf children and those with hearing loss to improve their lives through better awareness and communication.

# data[].attributes.body
Deafness affects every child differently and their needs are as unique as they are. We tailor support for up to 10 home based sessions for families of deaf children aged 0 – 18 years with any type of deafness.

Sessions are interactive so you are fully involved; we will work with you, at your own pace, using a range of practical resources to improve:

Deaf awareness at home

Verbal communication

Learning some basic signs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Projects that are making a difference. Now in our 7th year we have supported around 200 deaf children across Cheshire West, Cheshire East, Halton, Warrington, Wirral and parts of Liverpool. Children and their families have experienced both small and and big changes such as increased confidence, more independence, making new friends and feeling less isolated and less frustrated.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Projects that are making a difference. Now in our 7th year we have supported around 200 deaf children across Cheshire West, Cheshire East, Halton, Warrington, Wirral and parts of Liverpool. Children and their families have experienced both small and and big changes such as increased confidence, more independence, making new friends and feeling less isolated and less frustrated.

# data[].attributes.body
National Institute Clinical Excellence

(NICE) Guidelines

These guidelines

cover identifying and

managing glue ear in

children under 12.

# data[].attributes.headline
Understanding hearing loss - MESH guides

# data[].attributes.subject
Understanding hearing loss - MESH guides

# data[].attributes.body
All types and levels of hearing loss are covered but there are some links that may be useful e.g. in the Conductive section there are further animations demonstrating glue ear and in the Top Tips section there are some more links that will support pre school settings and schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Listening starts in the womb. At 24 weeks gestation the bones of the middle ear are fully formed. At 30 weeks a baby hears the rhythm and intonation of speech, can access some vowel sounds in the womb and recognises their mother’s voice (Crystal, 2010).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How hearing aids work | Hearing aids and implants

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out how behind-the-ear hearing aids work and some common features you may find on them.

# data[].attributes.headline
Keeping hearing aids on babies (0-12 months) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Keeping hearing aids on babies (0-12 months) 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Audiology - Inserting and removing hearing aid with an ear mould

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bone conduction hearing devices | Hearing implants

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you are considering getting a bone conducting hearing aid for your child, you can get information on some of the advantages and disadvantages of BCHIs or bone conducting hearing implants can be an option for some deaf children with: permanent conductive deafness, microtia, and deafness in one ear

# data[].attributes.headline
Contact mini - Bone conduction hearing device 

# data[].attributes.subject
Contact mini - Bone conduction hearing device 