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Causes and Symptoms of Glue Ear – How It Can Be Prevented

Have you ever felt that your ear is blocked and you can’t hear anything properly? This feeling is called glue ear.

Glue ear is commonly diagnosed in children and sometimes in adults. It is known as adhesive otitis, which occurs when the inner part of the ear is filled with a nasty fluid. The fluid is thick and sticky. Hence this disease is called glue ear.

Bay Area Audiology has dealt with innumerable cases of glue ear in children and shown positive results. With services like online hearing screening, you don’t have to bring your loved ones to the hospital during COVID-19.

Causes of Glue Ear

The Eustachian tube inside the middle part of the ear is responsible for keeping excess fluid outside our body. When this tube is clogged, it causes glue ear fluid to build up.

The reason for glue ear occuring mostly in children is that their Eustachian tube is narrow. This structure prevents the flow of liquid and ends up getting blocked.

Glue ear is mostly caused by allergies, but there are other influencers such as:

Allergies
Blocked nose
Swollen tonsils
Smoking
Drinking while laid back

Glue ear is a common disease that cures over time. However, if it keeps coming back and lasts more than 3 months, you need to consult a doctor.

Symptoms of Glue Ear in Children and Adults

Protecting the health of their child is every parent’s objective. Sometimes, our children become severely ill because of our lack of attention. Glue ear is a common disease, but it can cause permanent damage if it’s prolonged.

That is why it is crucial to take note of glue ear symptoms. Taking action at the right time can save your child from serious health-related problems. You can look for signs such as

Talking louder than usual
Difficulty hearing others from a distance
Asking people to repeat themselves
Complains about buzzing and ringing in the ear

The symptoms are the same in adults, but you might feel pressure and discomfort in your ear. Sometimes glue ear can cause pain as well.

How to Prevent Glue Ear

Glue ear can be hard to prevent because it can be caused in several ways. However, the best you can do is boost your child’s immune system. You can start by changing diet and add vegetables to it for healthy white blood cells. Other than this, there is no sure-shot way to prevent glue ear.