About glue ear

Glue ear (medical term: otitis media with effusion) is a condition where there is a build-up of fluid in the middle ear (the part of the ear just behind the eardrum).

The middle ear is normally filled with air which allows the eardrum and small ear bones to vibrate in response to sound. In glue ear, the middle ear fills with fluid which reduces the sound vibrations and hearing can be affected.

Dr Ian Williamson, GP and researcher at University of Southampton talks about the causes of glue ear and the effect it can have on children (2 mins)

 

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