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OME; Secretory otitis media; Serous otitis media; Silent otitis media; Silent ear infection; Glue ear
In otherwise healthy children, the first treatment is to change environmental factors, if possible. This includes:
If the child has allergies, staying away from triggers (such as dust) can help.
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:
If the fluid is still present at 12 weeks, 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. Laser myringotomy is a newer alternative to ear tube surgery.
Sometimes the adenoids must be removed to restore proper functioning of the Eustachian tube.
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, but it may result in serious complications. If there is fluid in the middle ear, hearing will be affected. Hearing problems can interfere with language development in children. Any fluid that lasts longer than 8-12 weeks is cause for concern.
Note: Permanent hearing loss is rare, but the risk increases the more ear infections a child has.
Call your health care provider if:
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.