Nasal balloon treatment

Your child's doctor, nurse or audiologist may prescribe treatment with a nasal balloon to help clear your child's glue ear during the watchful waiting period.  

Treatment involves your child blowing up a medical balloon with their nose 3 times a day for 1 to 3 months or until the fluid has cleared and their hearing has returned to normal.

The treatment is suitable for children from about the age of 4 years old, although children as young as 3 have been reported as able to inflate the nasal balloon.

 

How does it work? 

The pressure of blowing a balloon up with the nose opens the Eustachian tubes.  This lets air in to the middle ear and allows fluid to drain out.  Regular nasal balloon treatment can help your child's hearing to return to normal. 

What is the evidence?

• Recent research has found that children who use the nasal balloon were 40% more likely to have their ears cleared of fluid after 1 month compared to children who had watchful waiting alone.
   
• Children who use the nasal balloon also had fewer days with symptoms and better quality of life than children who had watchful waiting after 3 months.

How often do they need to inflate the balloon?

The balloon needs to be inflated 3 times per day in each nostril, for example in the morning, after school and before bed.   It is good to try and make blowing up the balloon part of your child's daily routine like when they are cleaning their teeth.

Are there any side effects? 

Your child might notice a popping or clicking sound when they blow up the nasal balloon, especially the first time. These effects are normal and can indicate that the Eustachian tubes are opening and the treatment is working. (The effect is similar to equalising pressure in your ears when on an aeroplane). 

Runny noses have been reported in a small number of children using the nasal balloon. 

When should my child NOT use the nasal balloon? 

Ear infection: The nasal balloon should not be used if your child has an ear infection.

Cold or blocked nose: if your child develops a cold or blocked nose it is best to stop the balloon for a few days until their airways clear, and then start up again.