Glue Ear Treatment in London

Glue ear happens when the middle ear, the space behind the eardrum, fills with thick fluid instead of air. It usually follows a cold or ear infection, or arises when the Eustachian tube that ventilates the middle ear does not drain properly, which is more common in young children because of the shape and size of the tube. The fluid muffles sound before it reaches the inner ear, so a child hears as though underwater. This matters most when hearing is developing: even a mild, temporary loss can affect speech, attention and behaviour at home and at school. Assessment is straightforward and gentle. Video otoscopy lets us look at the eardrum, and tympanometry measures how the eardrum moves, which is the key test for confirming fluid behind it. For younger children we use play audiometry and Visual Reinforcement Audiometry to measure hearing reliably, and parents stay in the room throughout. The reassuring part is that glue ear very often clears on its own. NICE guidance on otitis media with effusion (NG233) recommends a period of active observation, commonly around three months, before considering intervention in otherwise healthy children, because most cases resolve without treatment. Where fluid and hearing loss persist beyond that, or where it is clearly affecting a child's development, we provide a clear report and refer to ENT to discuss options such as grommets. Our job is to measure hearing accurately, explain what is happening, and make sure nothing that needs treatment is missed.