A Member of the University of Maryland Medical System   |   In Partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Share

Email PageEmail Print PagePrint

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

 

Ask the Expert

Growth and Nutrition Experts’s Bio Image

Get answers to your child's growth, nutrition, and feeding behavior questions.

Growth and Nutrition Experts’s Bio | Q&A Archive

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis or individual treatment advice via e-mail. Please consult your physician about your specific health care concerns.

Related Content


 

Otitis media with effusion - Treatment

Alternative Names

OME; Secretory otitis media; Serous otitis media; Silent otitis media; Silent ear infection; Glue ear

Treatment:

Unless there are also signs of an infection, most health care providers will not treat OME at first. Instead, they will recheck the problem in 2 - 3 months.

Some children who have had repeat ear infections may receive a smaller, daily dose of antibiotics to prevent new infections.

Certain changes may help clear up the fluid behind the eardrum:

  • Avoiding cigarette smoke
  • Encouraging breastfeeding for infants
  • Treating allergies by staying away from triggers (such as dust). Older children may be given allergy medications.

Most often the fluid will clear on its own. You doctor may suggest waiting and watching to see if the condition worsens.

If the fluid is still present after 6 weeks, treatment might include:

  • Further observation
  • A hearing test
  • A single trial of antibiotics (if not given earlier)

If the fluid is still present at 8 - 12 weeks, antibiotics may be tried, although they are not always helpful.

At some point, the child's hearing should be tested.

If there is significant hearing loss (> 20 decibels), antibiotics or ear tubes might be appropriate.

If the fluid is still present after 4 - 6 months, tubes are probably needed, even if there is no significant hearing loss.

Sometimes the adenoids must be removed to restore proper functioning of the Eustachian tube.

Expectations (prognosis):

Otitis media with effusion usually goes away on its own over a few weeks or months. Treatment may speed up this process. Glue ear may not clear as quickly as OME with a thinner effusion.

OME is usually not life threatening. Most children do not have long-term damage to their hearing or speaking ability, even when the fluid remains for many months.

Complications:

  • Acute ear infection
  • Cyst in the middle ear
  • Permanent damage to the ear with partial or complete hearing loss
  • Scarring of the eardrum (tympanosclerosis)
  • Speech or language delay (rare)

Note: Permanent hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases the more ear infections a child has.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if:

  • You suspect you or your child might have otitis media with effusion. Continue to monitor the condition until the fluid has disappeared.
  • New symptoms develop during or after treatment for this disorder.
  • Reviewed last on: 7/26/2010
  • Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Otitis Media With Effusion. Otitis media with effusion. Pediatrics. 2004;113:1412-1429.

Paradise JL, Feldman HM, Campbell TF, Dollaghan CA, Rockette HE, Pitcairn DL, et al. Tympanostomy tubes and developmental outcomes at 9 to 11 years of age. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:248-261.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
 
Adam QualityA.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
Connect with UMMC
Facebook Twitter YouTube Blog iPhone

Please rate the quality of this article.

Do you find this article to be helpful / informative?
              
Poor                                       Excellent

Do you have any brief comments on this page: (up to 255 characters)

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885