Name: Sussex Audiology Centre - Lewes
Address: Unit 1, Artisan House, Brooks Rd, Lewes, BN7 2YJ, GB
Telephone: 0330 3203 413
Price range: ££-£££

Understanding Glue Ear

Glue ear, also known as otitis media with effusion, is a condition where fluid builds up in the middle ear behind the eardrum. This fluid is not pus or infection, but it can affect how well the eardrum and the tiny bones inside the ear move – resulting in a reduction in hearing.

It is particularly common in children, though adults can be affected too. In many cases, glue ear resolves on its own within a few months, but when it persists or causes symptoms, it may require careful monitoring and treatment.

If you or your child is experiencing hearing difficulties, ear fullness, or changes in auditory clarity that don’t improve, getting an expert evaluation can help identify the cause and explore effective solutions. At Sussex Audiology Centre, we offer diagnostic care and treatment options tailored to each individual’s needs.

Recognising the Symptoms of Glue Ear

Glue ear often develops without pain, which means it can be harder to detect than an ear infection. The most common sign is a temporary reduction in hearing, which may come and go or affect one ear more than the other. Children, in particular, may struggle to follow conversations, speak louder than usual, or appear inattentive in the classroom.

Parents sometimes notice that a child with glue ear turns the television volume up higher than normal, asks for repetition more frequently, or seems withdrawn in noisy environments. Adults may describe it as a feeling of “blocked ears” or fullness, similar to being underwater, along with muffled sounds.

Although glue ear usually improves naturally over time, ongoing symptoms can affect speech and language development in children or cause day-to-day difficulties for adults. That’s why it’s important to seek professional advice if you notice changes in hearing that don’t quickly resolve.

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Treatment for Glue Ear

In many cases, glue ear clears up on its own within a few weeks or months, so treatment is not always needed straight away. During this time, hearing is usually monitored to check for improvement. For children, this often involves regular reviews to make sure speech and language development isn’t being affected.

If glue ear persists or causes more significant problems, treatment may be recommended. Options can include temporary hearing aids to improve listening while the condition resolves, or the insertion of small ventilation tubes (grommets) into the eardrum to help fluid drain and restore hearing more quickly.

Other approaches, such as addressing allergies, managing nasal congestion, or removing enlarged adenoids, may also be considered if they contribute to glue ear. Your audiologist or ENT specialist will discuss the best path forward based on individual needs.

At Sussex Audiology Centre, we provide expert testing, clear guidance, and tailored support to help manage glue ear effectively, giving you confidence and peace of mind.

0330 3203 413

Why Glue Ear Affects Hearing

To understand why glue ear causes hearing problems, it helps to know how we hear. Normally, sound travels as air waves into the ear canal and reaches the eardrum. These sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate, and these vibrations are then passed through three tiny bones in the middle ear – the ossicles – which amplify the sound and send it to the inner ear, where it's converted into signals the brain can understand.

This process is called air conduction, and it relies on the eardrum and middle ear bones moving freely in response to sound waves.

When glue ear develops, thick fluid builds up in the middle ear space behind the eardrum. This fluid stops the eardrum from vibrating properly and prevents sound from travelling efficiently through the middle ear. As a result, sounds become muffled or quieter, and hearing is temporarily reduced.

Because the fluid dampens the movement needed for normal air conduction, even everyday sounds can become difficult to hear clearly. For children, this can impact speech development, learning, and social interaction – which is why early detection and management are so important.

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For more detailed information about glue ear, including causes, symptoms, and medical treatment options, visit the NHS website.

How We Test for Glue Ear

At Sussex Audiology Centre, we use a combination of specialist tests to accurately diagnose glue ear and understand how it's affecting hearing. These tests are painless, quick, and suitable for both children and adults.

Otoscopy

Using a high-definition camera, we look inside the ear to visually inspect the eardrum and ear canal. This helps us identify signs of fluid in the middle ear, such as a dull or retracted eardrum, or visible fluid levels behind the eardrum.

Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)

This is a standard hearing test that measures how well you or your child can hear sounds at different pitches and volumes. Glue ear typically causes a conductive hearing loss, which means sounds are quieter but can still be heard once they're loud enough. The audiogram helps us determine the degree of hearing loss present.

Tympanometry

This test measures the movement of the eardrum and the pressure in the middle ear. A small probe is placed gently in the ear canal, and the test takes just a few seconds. If there's fluid behind the eardrum, the eardrum won't move as freely, and the tympanometry results will show a characteristic flat trace – a strong indicator of glue ear.

Together, these tests give us a complete picture of what's happening in the ear and help guide the most appropriate treatment or monitoring plan.

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Support During the Wait for Treatment

Glue ear often affects children during crucial stages of speech and language development. When children are placed on a waiting list for grommet surgery, their hearing may be reduced for weeks or even months – which can impact their communication, learning, and confidence at school.

During this temporary period, bone conduction hearing solutions can make a significant difference. Unlike normal air conduction (which relies on sound travelling through the ear canal and eardrum), bone conduction works by transmitting sound vibrations directly through the bones of the skull to the inner ear – bypassing the blocked middle ear entirely.

This means children with glue ear can hear more clearly while they wait for their condition to resolve or for surgical intervention. Bone conduction headphones are comfortable, easy to use, and can help maintain access to learning and conversation during a difficult time.

Our partners at Clarity Sound Solutions offer temporary bone conduction headphone and microphone kits that are ideal for children experiencing hearing difficulties due to glue ear. These devices can provide immediate support and help reduce the impact on education and social development.

Shop Bone Conduction Solutions

How We Can Help

At Sussex Audiology Centre, we provide a full range of hearing care services to support you at every stage – starting with your hearing test and continuing through diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing aftercare. Whether you’re booking a test for yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for reassurance, our experienced team is here to help.

0330 3203 413

Our clinics

At Sussex Audiology Centre, we are proud to be the only local company using ENT grade wall mounted microscopes offering superior vision over Head Loupes or iPhone systems. All of our clinics are fitted with high quality, quiet Microsuction Pumps. Our Audiologists will undertake a thorough patient history, perform HD video Otoscopy and offer a complimentary hearing test after the procedure.

0330 3203 413

Glue Ear

Understanding Glue Ear

Recognising the Symptoms of Glue Ear

Treatment for Glue Ear

Why Glue Ear Affects Hearing