|
Glue ear is
considered the most common childhood illness.
Children under the age of five
are the largest group affected; though for some it
can persist into adolescence. It is widely accepted
that glue ear can cause temporary hearing loss,
contribute to delayed speech development in young
children and affect a child's behavior and their
educational progress.
Glue ear is often associated
with ear infections although; this isn't always the
case. It can sometimes develop unnoticed. Typical
signs include changes in behavior; becoming tired and
frustrated, preferring to play alone and not
responding when called. These signs can often be
mistaken for stubbornness, rudeness and being
naughty. As a result many children with glue ear are
misunderstood or labeled as difficult.
|
A prolonged period of time with
reduced hearing can affect the way in which a child's
speech develops, for example, parts of words may not
be pronounced correctly. Children suffering from glue
ear may also fall behind at school and become
disruptive if they have no additional support.
What is glue ear?
For ears to work properly the
middle ear needs to be kept full of air. This task is
performed by a tube, which runs from the middle ear
to the back of the throat, (called the Eustachian
tube). In children this tube is not as straight 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 occurs, the cells lining the middle ear begin to
produce fluid. This can be like a runny liquid, which
can get thicker as it fills the middle ear.
With fluid blocking the middle
ear, it becomes harder for sound to pass through to
the inner ear and so quieter sounds are not easily
heard. It's like listening to the world with both
fingers stuck in your ears, it's hard work, try it
her yourself! If your child has glue ear they can't
always hear what you say, so it's no wonder they're
tired and irritable, or just want to be left on their
own.
What conditions influence glue ear?
There are many different
factors, which can contribute to glue ear. These
include colds and flu, cold weather and passive
smoking.
Children with genetic
conditions such as Down's Syndrome are susceptible to
glue ear as they may have smaller Eustachian tubes
and produce thicker mucus.
What treatment is
available?
If you are worried about your
child's hearing, arrange an appointment with your
family GP. Once they've examined your child's ears
they will be able to identify any visible signs of
glue ear. Often glue ear is associated with a heavy
cold and can clear up when a child becomes free of
congestion. If there is any pain or sign of infection
your GP may prescribe a course of antibiotics. Your
GP may want to monitor your child's condition before
referring him or her on to the hospital. If the
symptoms persist ask your GP to refer your child to
the ear, nose and throat department at your local
hospital.
At the Clinic
The specialist will examine
your child's ears again and make arrangements for a
hearing assessment. A tympanometry test is usually
carried out which will measure how well the middle
ear is able to move. If fluid is present this will
stop the middle ear functioning properly. The test
should take about a minute to perform. A graph,
(called a tympanogram) will show the results
immediately. The specialist may want to carry out
further tests to see how much the glue ear is
affecting your child's hearing. The tests used will
depend on your child's age. Call NDCS for more
information on different tests.
The specialist should explain
the results of all the tests carried out and discuss
the best form of treatment for your child. For some
children, the specialist may advise continued
monitoring before deciding on any treatment. You will
either be given an appointment to attend the clinic
again or you may be told that your child will be
added to the hospital waiting list for grommets.
|
Grommets
These are tiny plastic tubes
that are placed in the eardrum during surgery. This
happens after the fluid that has collected in the
middle ear has been drained away. The grommets allow
air to circulate in the middle ear and prevent more
fluid from building up. The surgeon may talk to you
about removing your child's adenoids at the same
time, these are glands that sometimes become infected
and swollen.
Grommets will usually remain in
place for six to nine months then will simply fall
out. If the fluid does return, another operation may
be necessary to again insert grommets. Many parents
are anxious about the effects of repeated surgery on
their child's health. The specialist should always
outline any risks of operating again with parents
before they make a decision.
Children sometimes have reduced
hearing for extended periods of time, while waiting
to see if the glue ear clears up naturally or while
on the waiting list for grommets to be inserted.
During these periods, the use of a hearing aid may be
advisable with professional support at home and
school.
|
General Health
All children benefit from
eating plenty of fresh Quit and vegetables. Children
who eat a balanced diet, take exercise and get enough
sleep are more able to fight infections of all kinds.
Breast Feeding
Recent research suggests
breast-feeding may reduce the risks of babies and
young children developing glue ear. It is thought
that breast milk contains proteins, which have
anti-inflammatory properties, which help protect
against glue ear even when breast-feeding has
stopped.
Dairy products and
glue ear
Some parents have found that
cutting down on dairy products like milk, cream and
cheese has helped in reducing the production of mucus
for their child. As these foods are also sources of
essential fat and nutrients, it is important to
ensure that any reduction of dairy products in your
child's diet is replaced with adequate substitutes.
If you have any doubts about the way some foods may
affect your child, ask your GP to refer you to a
state registered dietitian or health service
allergist.
Can alternative
remedies help?
Many parents have used
complimentary remedies such as homeopathy and cranial
osteopathy as an alternative to surgery for their
child. Treatment varies for each individual and
expert advice should always be sought. For further
information contact the British Complimentary
Medicine Association. Tel: 0116 282 55 11
How can I help to
make hearing easier for my child?
It is important that glue ear
is identified as soon as possible and that parents
and teachers are aware of the difficulties it can
cause and the ways in which they can help. Basic
communication tips can help to make listening easier
for your child. It is important to get your child's
attention before you start talking. Make sure you
face your child as much as possible and check that
background noise is kept to a minimum. Speak clearly,
without shouting and maintain your normal rhythm of
speech.
The teacher or school nurse may
realize that your child is having difficulty at
school, but may not be aware that this is due to
their hearing. It is important that you discuss your
child's hearing difficulties with their teacher so
that arrangements can be mad* in school to help. It
may help if your child is able to sit near the
teacher in the classroom, that they understand what
is being discussed and that they are not made to feel
awkward about asking for things to be repeated.
