Hearing aids for glue ear?

[MinPinPuzzz]

My 4 year old DD had audiology/ ENT yesterday for the first time. Serious Mum guilt, but I’ve spent years telling her off for ignoring me until it clicked about 6 months ago that she may have poor hearing. Went to the GP in February and got referred, was told at that point she was blocked with wax and to use olive oil.

Left ear, some wax, glue ear, mild hearing impairment 30dB.

Right ear, fully blocked with wax, they are assuming glue ear but can’t assess it, moderate hearing impairment greater than 50dB.

Plan to change to sodium bicarbonate drops, use otovent and return in three months then possible grommets if not cleared.

At the time, I didn’t realise how significant the hearing test results were, that’s quite a large loss of hearing which has been going on a long time.

Now I am reading around the topic... is it possible to have hearing aids for these issues instead of surgery if the otovent doesn’t work? I do not want to put my daughter through the risks of surgery which may then need to be repeated or the anxiety (she is terrified of doctors, I had to pin her down to allow the doctor to look in her ears). She has never had an ear infection.

Also, can long term wax impaction cause damage to the inner ear or the nerves leading to hearing loss even when removed?

Thank you, I am a bit of a worrier and like to know everything!

If glue ear is suspected then surgery is normally the route to go down as internal pressure and constant ear wax won't go away by itself and can cause massive damage.

Now, I had mumps when I was 6 and had a good hearing loss due to it, grommets when I was 8 and that's after repeated MRSA ear infections that are brutal for kids.

Hearing aids won't work (they whistle when blocked with wax and I know this as I have one for each ear!) And the cause of the wax needs dealt with.

I'm also a mum so I totally understand not putting a child through a scary situation and surgery if not needed but grommets can help prevent future issues so speak to her paediatrician and ask for these types of information on how it works etc.

Best wishes and don't feel bad - you aren't a medical professional and didn't know about the wax but now you do and through the appointments you can decide the what course to take.

Hi, so sorry to hear your daughter is going through this. But if it's glue ear, the great news is that the surgery involves a very light anaesthetic and the surgery usually is very successful.

My son has has two lots of grommets fitted. Both at 3 and 4 years old. The last set, he also was cleared out. It's been enormously successful for him. Have a chat with the ENT surgeon. I know my boy doesn't even realise he's had surgery - so skilled and amazing are the anaesthetists. One minute he's blowing up a balloon, the next he's coming out of his sleep. Groggy but pain free.

I really would discuss your fears openly and honestly with his surgeon. The surgery was life changing for my boy.

You can have hearing aids, but it isn't always appropriate. Ds asked for hearing aids instead of his third set of grommets, but was told that it wouldn't be advised for him as his ear drum was bulging, so likely to burst.

Grommet insertion is really easy and pain-free. Both my kids had it done at 18mo and the positive effects on their hearing and speech were immediate. There was 30mins of disoriented crying right after waking up, but not a problem after that.

DS had glue ear and infections for 9mo before it was taken seriously by a second GP. The hearing loss during this time has had a lasting impact on his speech, which speech therapy has not cleared up. At 7yo, most people can't hear it, unless I mention it, but I feel still feel guilty...

DD was picked up much more quickly (1mo from first suspicion to surgery date) and her speech is remarkably clear.

I'd reconsider avoiding grommets, as they really were the game changer for us. Every medical professional was warm, welcoming and able to make our kids feel at ease.

I would see if you can have a chat with the specialist you are seeing. As you can see from the replies it seems to be quite individual. My DD is having her hearing aids appointment next week. They felt hearing aids would be a better option for her rather than grommets. She is also 4 and suffers from glue ear in both sides.

P.S whatever route you and the specialist decide to go down, don't feel Mum guilt. These things are so hard to spot and so many people tell you, ah just a little habit etc. You have done really well to get it all sorted so young.

My niece was diagnosed at 4 with hearing loss just this last August. We too though she wasn't listening.lots of us so don't feel guilty of was her nursery teacher who was worried and noticed it, not one person in her family thought it was more then toddler selective hearing/not listening.

The Dr thinks she had hearing and it has been lost and they're trying to work out why now, to check mostly it's not hereditary as she has a sibling.

She had the grommets in first. It was noticeable straight away that there was an improvement, and at the same time they did a hearing test so they knew exactly how her ears were/weren't working. She's had hearing aids since October. Her speech had come on loads, we've now been able to find out from her she was lip reading to understand which is one of the reasons why we didn't notice (at 4 though this was basic but it still covered her hearing loss) and her school work has really improved.

The change was very quick and the hearing aids really make a difference however the grommets were the right call and whilst under she could have her ears tested without needing her input. I would speak with your specialist but if grommets are needed then I would ask for a hearing test to be done then as it's more conclusive.

Good luck.

Thank you all.

I was a bit blindsided at the time. I thought she was selective hearing/ maybe a very mild hearing loss due to wax. I had never researched glue ear or the different levels of hearing loss so at the time none of it meant much to me.

The next appointment won’t be until September when I will have the opportunity to ask these questions. If I could get her hearing aids for the interim privately I would. Bless her, all her little issues are so obvious now 😢.

She has joint hypermobility which could in theory be linked due to floppy collagen in the tubes that drain the inner ear. From my research, sometimes the ear drum is more delicate and grommets are more likely to cause damage to her hearing long term than a typical child.

Thank you for all the answers, I just have to be patient. I hate the idea of watching her get further behind her peers in the interim, though.

Why don't you give them a call to discuss your worries. They were brilliant with us and had a really useful phone conversation.

Thank you for your advice, I’ve sent an email to the hospital, hopefully it makes it to the correct department.

Nrtft but yes hearing aids are possible for glue ear. However the 50dB loss in her left ear is likely in part to be due to the wax, you may find she will improve by 10-20dB once that is removed.
Wax will not damage her inner ear or nerves.
And most ENT consultants operate an evidence based "watch and wait" protocol for 3 months initially to see if the glue ear will resolve on its own.
Before listing for grommets the may very well try a decongestant also.

HTH xx

Hello- Teacher of the Deaf here!
I have quite a few children on my caseload with glue ear and are aided temporarily.

Many parents opt for this as there is usually a waiting list for surgery and grommets can fall out and repeated surgeries can cause permanent scarring on the ear- drum.
Most children do grow out of glue ear so hearing aids can help whilst it resolves.
Not sure if all audiology clinics offer this but the clinic I work with is very keen on it!

Below is the email I sent. Thank you Chocolate, I agree and whilst I understand the rationale for watchful waiting but it falls during the critical period of her starting school. Having read the evidence, I favour hearing aids too if they are supported in out CCG 🤞🏻. Thank you Brigit xx

FAO: ENT department.

My daughter attended audiology and ENT on xxxxxxx at xxxx and xxxx. Her name is xxxxxxxx and her date of birth is xxxxxxx.

It is my understanding that she was found to have mild hearing loss on the left side caused by glue ear and moderate hearing loss on the right side caused by wax impaction and likely glue ear.

The plan was to change olive oil ear drops prescribed by the GP to sodium bicarbonate drops and commence the use of an otovent, then to review in 3 months. At this point grommets would be considered if the issue has not resolved.

From her behaviour, her hearing loss seems to have been an enduring issue since she was at least a toddler, if not before. Admittedly, until about six months ago, I considered her to be choosing not to listen until it clicked that she couldn’t actually hear.

It is now very clear that her hearing loss effects her everyday life and development, I feel very guilty for not have recognised and helped her with this issue sooner.

I have a number of questions following xxxx’s appointment:

1. Is it possible for xxxx to have hearing aids for at least the interim period?
2. xxxx has joint hypermobility which from my reading has been theorised to possibly contribute to the issue of glue ear as well as make grommets more likely to fail or damage the eardrum, is this something you are familiar with?
3. Given that xxxx has never suffered an ear infection and glue ear is said to be a temporary issue, is it possible for the only treatment to be temporary hearing aids rather than grommets? I appreciate that this is not as beneficial for her hearing, but provides less risk to her ear anatomy.

I completely understand the rationale for waiting three months before any treatment is considered given that 80% of cases resolve; however, given that this is already a long term issue, I am concerned that during this period she will continue to not reach her potential and will start school in September unable to fully participate.

Thank you for taking the time to reply,
With kind regards,
MinPinPuzz

My daughter has mild to moderate hearing loss on one side only. I chose for her to have an aid rather than grommets. The aid is working, but the downside is that they monitor hearing less often once they have an aid, every 6 months, than while in the assessment stage, every 3 months.

Audiology clinic I work with still sees children every three months with hearing aids for glue ear.

The NDCS website has some great info about mild moderate conductive hearing losses caused by glue ear-
http://www.ndcs.org.uk/familysupport/gluee_ear/

The NDCS are incredibly supportive and helpful too. Do get in touch with them.
They support families of dc with all levels of hearing loss, some people see the word 'deaf' in the name and don't realise they can support them / their dc.

X posted

Hearing aids aren't an easy answer and come with other issues. My dd had 2 lots of grommets and wears hearing aids as had other issues other than glue ear. ENT ca advise but it is a simple op and can restore the hearing.

My dd is in a similar boat. We are waiting for the next appt. she is older than your daughter and everything makes sense now... I thought she has selective hearing also

Thank you all. I have had a look at NDCS, I think it’s good how much the legitimise the issues children face even with mild hearing loss in education. I’m sure her next review will be here in a flash, but as it stands, it is so frustrating to know her degree of hearing loss and not be able to do anything to help.

Also, the phrase “What’d you say?” is repeated what feels like 500000 times per day 🤪🙃

I had glue ear as an adult as a result of a chronic sinus infection (in my forties). It was a totally miserable experience, for the reasons you describe.
I'm also hypermobile.
I had grommets. The difference it made was massive. The only thing I missed when I had them in was being able to dunk my head under the water in the bath.

Slightly different Dd2 (3.5) has permanent mild/moderate hearing loss which drops to severe with wax & glue ear and already wears hearing aids.
When she was referred due to 3x appts in succession with glue ear under aged 2, I spoke to the consultant at GOSH about this and he was perfectly happy for her to use hearing aid adjustment instead of grommets. So although it's not as common as grommets it's definitely an option.

but as it stands, it is so frustrating to know her degree of hearing loss and not be able to do anything to help

but, now you know, you can print off the advice from the NDCS website (they have lots of resources) and take it in to school / Nursery to make sure they are following basic good practice. Lots of really small, simple adjustments can make the world of difference to someone with a hearing loss.

Hey Brigits! ToD here too!

Good idea to email, OP.

There are pros and cons to both aids and grommets but I would always go for grommets in the first instance if possible. As a pp has said aids bring their own issues and don't give full hearing plus some children find them uncomfortable both on a physical and a sensory level. Grommets can bring an instant resolution
However aids are definitely helpful in the interim or after 2 or 3 lots of grommets

Waves to ToDuk!