Glue Ear Outline

MEDICAL TERM
Adhesive Otitis

CAUSES
This condition arises when a person has long standing (years) fluid with negative pressure in the middle ear. The ear drum becomes adherent to the middle ear structures.

AGE
Most common in early teens to adults

SYMPTOMS

  1. Blocked ear
  2. No symptoms
  3. Decreased hearing

PHYSICAL EXAM

  1. EAR DRUM—dull, severely retracted, the middle ear bones will be prominent
  2. Immobile drum
  3. May have a dark color (yellowish to black)

LAB

  1. Conductive hearing loss
  2. Type B tympanogram

TREATMENT

  1. Decongestants
  2. Try to pop the ears (See appendix A)
  3. Middle ear ventilation tubes

Frequently the middle ear ventilation tubes may not help this situation if the ear drum is severely adherent to the middle ear structures.  This problem is much easier to prevent then it is to treat.

PREVENTION
If a child has had ear problems and/or ventilation tubes, the ears should be checked periodically even when they are having no apparent problem.  A yearly exam should be sufficient to diagnose this problem.

NOTE
Early intervention can prevent this disease.