What are the Symptoms of Glue Ear in Adults?

You may have heard of glue ear affecting children, but it can also affect adults. Despite this, many adults struggle with glue ear without realising, and they often ignore the symptoms of glue ear. In this blog, we’ll not only discuss the symptoms of glue ear in adults, but also discuss what might have caused the issue, as well as treatment options.

What is Glue Ear in Adults?

Glue ear occurs when fluid is present inside your middle ear and doesn’t drain away. Over time, the fluid gets thicker and can turn sticky, like glue. The fluid inside the middle ear can affect your hearing ability but doesn’t lead to pain. Glue ear mostly occurs in children and usually clears up on its own. It can last for a few weeks to several months.

What are the Symptoms of Glue Ear in Adults?

You can notice various symptoms of glue ear in adults, many of them the same as what children experience. It is crucial to pay close attention to these symptoms to understand when you should get medical help. Take a look at the section below to understand the symptoms of glue ear in adults:

• Hearing loss
  Hearing loss is the most common symptom of glue ear in both children and adults. Hearing loss can be caused by the build-up of fluid in the middle ear and can be selective or full. The fluid minimises the vibrations entering the ear through sound waves, which is why the noise will sound more reduced.
• Tinnitus
  Although this symptom is not as common as hearing loss, many adults still report experiencing a buzzing or ringing noise in the ear with glue ear. Other people can’t hear the noise that you can hear, as the noise is caused by an internal problem that only you are aware of.
• Ear pain
  As with most ear issues, ear pain is a common symptom of glue ear. Glue ear can cause forms of irritating pressure or pain. This ear pain is especially difficult to bear at night and can cause issues with sleeping.

What Causes Glue Ear in Adults?

There is no direct cause related to glue ear in adults, but with most patients, glue ear usually occurs after an acute ear infection – either a virus or bacterial infection, or after a flu or cold. Other possible causes of glue ear in adults can include:

• Issues related to the Eustachian tube (this is the tube that is between the middle ear and the back of the throat).
• Certain syndromes such as Turner’s and Down syndrome, or cleft lip and palate.
• Enlarged adenoids.

How to Treat Glue Ear in Adults?

Glue ear treatment options may vary. Generally, you can contact Glenroy GP at Magnus Medical. They may wait to see if glue ear symptoms get better on their own. Sometimes this can take up to 3 months. Doctors may suggest different medications to drain the fluid in the middle ear. In the initial stage, you may be recommended to try home remedies for glue ear in adults.

If your symptoms are not reduced by trying home remedies or your symptoms persist beyond 3 months, it is suggested to seek an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) referral for further treatment. In extreme cases, your doctor may suggest hearing aids or surgery to help relieve your symptoms, but this is very uncommon.

How is Glue Ear Prevented?

While glue ear can be caused by ear infections, it is difficult to prevent colds that can result in ear infections. Good hygiene can help reduce the risk of catching a cold. There are various things you can do to reduce your or your child’s risk of getting glue ear:

• Keep away from cigarette smoke.
• If your child uses a dummy, try to let them use it for short time periods or completely avoid giving them a dummy.
• If you can, breastfeed your baby.
• Hold your baby upright when feeding them and avoid giving them a bottle in bed.
• Take your child to your doctor if they frequently have a runny or blocked nose and ask the doctor to check their ears for glue ear.

Conclusion
The blog shares symptoms, causes, and possible treatment options to get rid of glue ear. If you notice these symptoms in you or your child, you can reach out to doctors at Magnus Medical, a trusted Glenroy Medical Centre.