Double Glue ear - no treatment

[SunshineLollipops9]

My DS (almost 3) has had double glue ear for over a year. He recently had his second audiology appointment to see if there were any changes. Glue ear is still the same in both ears “very congested” is what they said. But, because it doesn’t seem to cause any hearing or speech problems, they aren’t going to do anything or refer him to ENT. Is it likely to clear up after a year? I thought they gave it a bee months to see if there was a change? Worried that if it is left that eventually it would cause some form of hearing loss.

Would be great to hear your experiences. Thank you :)

My daughter has it and we were told Gromets MIGHT help.

Absolutely no way was I going to subject such a young child to having a general anaesthetic for something that MIGHT work.

This was circa 2000. I did my own research and came across manual draining of the ears by massage.

The massage was basically stroking downwards behind her ears and I was amazed at how effective it was. Instant relief.

I imagine that there are now lots of videos on YouTube that demonstrate manual drainage by massage.

Had it not has it

Similar to what I did -

%3D

Ny DC had glue ear, it was really bad in reception year at school as with so much noise around the teacher realised that Dc couldn’t hear them speak when they were behind them. Tried lots of remedies including inflating a balloon with your nose! Monitored by audiology for a while but hearing was really impaired (though one on one managed fine.) An E&T consultant said to me if it were my child I would put in grommets. Op was as a day patient, out within hrs with no after effects. Had to be careful swimming. No further hearing problems and the grommets worked their way out.

I think they can & do grow out of glue ear without it causing long term issues, biggest issue is that it can be a social barrier with sound muffled as if you are under water.

@SunshineLollipops9 if it’s not causing issues how you picked up that your son has it?

Glue ear often comes & goes but then there is a time lag as the brain has to relearn how to hear properly again. Usually they like to wait and see if it clears up on its own.

If it's an issue at school age they will be more keen to insert grommets.

My DD was selective mute and they were life changing for her.

2 ofy DC had glue ears in both ears. It didn't affect their hearing or speech (nursery couldn't believe they had it as their hearing was fine even in a busy noisy room).

Both of then were offered gromits which I refused as they did a lot of swimming & they can become dislodged easily.

They both grew out of it by the time they were 7. Neither ever had an ear infection either. Now both adults & no long term effects at all.

One of my children wears hearing aids due to glue ear it can take years now to get a slot to surgery.

Cranial osteopathy can help, speeds up the Eustachian tubes angling which happens naturally as they get older