Fluid behind ear membrane?

My daughter 5 years old does not speak fully. Very few understandable words only! Doctor suggested hearing test for her. The hearing test personnel told me that she has fluid behind her ear membrane, so test shall not be reliable. Is it true? Also is there any method to remove this fluid without operation? She does not chew on chewing gum and does not like to inflate balloons (suggested by the hearing test personnel). What should I do?

I've had problems with fluid in my ears since birth. She will probably have to have tubes put in to drain it. It isn't surgery, exactly, they do it in the office. Fluid can affect hearing tests, as well as hearing everyday things. I know that if I have a lot of fluid in my ears that I have a very hard time hearing. Get her checked out by an ear nose and throat doctor. She may have another issue causing this, as I did.

Hold your nose and blow, much like you would to pop your ears on a plane.

GLUE EAR AND OTITIS MEDIA - a patient's guide
Dr Colin Brown - ENT Surgeon, Starship Hospital

What is it?

"Otitis media" means there is fluid behind the eardrum in the middle ear. The type of fluid present varies, and thus there is a spectrum of disease from "Acute Otitis Media" through to "Glue Ear" (sometimes also called Otitis Media with Effusion).

When the eardrum is red and bulging, with fluid or pus behind the eardrum, often associated with pain and fever, this is called "acute otitis media." "Glue Ear" often follows "Acute Otitis Media" or may occur on its own. Fluid is present behind the eardrum, but there is no fever, and the eardrum is not inflamed or bulging. In some instances, the eardrum is actually retracted inwards to varying degrees.

What causes Otitis Media?

Both glue ear and acute otitis media occur most commonly in young children, usually as a result of temporary malfunction of the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose.

The Eustachian tube normally allows air to circulate through the middle ear, and allows mucus to drain from the middle ear in to the throat. In young children, the tube is smaller, flatter and shorter. It is easier for bugs (bacteria and viruses) to travel in to the tube, which may result in swelling of the lining of the tube, and an increase in mucus production in the tube. This may cause it to block. It follows that as children grow, they are less likely to have trouble with otitis media.

Are some children more likely to develop Otitis Media?

We know some important risk factors, but not all the reasons why some children develop otitis media.

The most important risks include:

- a family history of otitis media.

- exposure to tobacco smoke ("passive smoking").

- exposure to other children in child care/creche/preschool.

- an older sibling in childcare/creche/preschool/early primary school.

There is no clear evidence supporting allergy as a causal factor in the development of otitis media.

There is some limited evidence linking bottle feeding to early development of acute otitis media. This may be because of the immune protective effect of antibodies passed through breast milk.

by

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