Would you seek a private second opinion for toddler glue ear?

[Baloo592]

Found out that my 21 month old (close to 22 months) has glue ear in both ears and mild/moderate hearing loss as a result. Next step is follow up hearing test in 3 months. I’m concerned because his expressive speech is quite delayed - judged by a paediatrician as being the level of a 15 month old recently although he was born 9 weeks early so that was compared to an adjusted age of 19 months. Has 5 words used infrequently, has never said mama etc.

I feel we’re in a critical window for language development now and I feel sad / uncomfortable about waiting 3 months even though my logical brain acknowledges the problem could resolve. We could get a second opinion privately - wondering what others would do or have done in a similar position as I know glue ear is very common?

Sorry ignore me, my info appears to be out of date 🙂

I went for a private consultation then put on the nhs waiting list

Glue ear can be a watch and wait scenario in a child so young, but if you are able to afford a private assessment then I would do so.

I’ve had glue ear on/off all my life since I was 7 years old (now 52) and have had grommets done twice, as a child and adult. The best thing that I was recommended by my consultant was to buy an Otovent balloon kit (available on prescription but also on Amazon etc). These are for use by both children and adults but as your DC is still a toddler I would ask for a professional opinion first. They are excellent tools to help drain the eustachian tube (glue) by inflating a balloon with a nostril - sounds bizarre but they are very effective.

My child was older than yours when she developed hearing problems due to glue ear. Because her language and social development didn't seem to be affected we waited it out and she used hearing aids at school for a while. She did eventually outgrow it (though occasionally seems to have a bit of difficulty hearing accurately still- older primary now), but it was 3 years from noticing the problem to her hearing significantly improving. Maybe wait for the 3 month hearing test in case things improve, but with a language delay I would be inclined to ask about hearing aids or go private for grommets if not offered quite quickly.

Absolutely seek a second opinion. In my view, the NHS does not provide appropriate timely support for many children impacted by this issue and do not understand the critical windows for child development in speech and language.

My son had endless ear infections and glue hair with subsequent hearing loss. Following two unsatisfactory NHS consultations we sought a private second opinion and had grommets fitted two weeks later which made a huge difference to his quality of life and language development. However, unfortunately the hearing loss affected him significantly and he needed to spend four terms in a specialist speech and language unit within intense speech and language therapy support.

Thanks for replying, and sorry to hear about the subsequent impact on your son. Can I ask how old he was at the time of the private op? I’ve seen some threads talk about private hospitals insisting on children being 3yo although it is done on the NHS earlier.

@Baloo592 He was 22 months when he had his first set of grommets and 35 months when he had a second set as well as tonsils and adenoids removed. We used the Portland which was fine.

As a toddler, my younger daughter had hearing loss due to glue ear in both ears, and went on the waiting list for grommets.

While we were waiting, someone recommended a homeopathic remedy called pulsatilla. I decided we might as well give it a try as there was nothing to lose.

A few weeks later, my daughter was called into the hospital for the operation, as there had been a last minute cancellation. The surgeon looked into her ears and said there was no sign of glue ear.

I don’t claim that the pulsatilla cured it. It could have been a coincidence - glue ear can sort itself out naturally as children grow. But it might be worth a try (and would certainly be a lot cheaper than a private consultation)!