Glue ear PDF Print
"Glue ear" is one of the most common childhood Illnesses.Children under the age of five are the largest group affected, though for some it can persist into adolescence.  It is widely accepted that glue ear can cause temporary hearing loss, delayed speech development in young children and affect children's behaviour and their educational progress.Glue ear is often, but not always linked with ear infections.  It can sometimes develop unnoticed.  Changes in behaviour, becoming tired and frustrated, lack of concentration preferring to play alone and not responding when called may indicate glue ear.  These signs can often be mistaken for stubbornness, rudeness and being naughty.  As a result may children with glue ear and misunderstood or labelled as `difficult'. 

A prolonged period of time with reduced hearing can affect the way in which a child's speech develops.  For example, parts of words may not be pronounced correctly.  Children with glue ear may also fall behind at school and become disruptive if they do not have extra support. 

For ears to work properly the middle ear needs to be kept full of air.  The Eustachian tube, which usually does this, runs form the middle ear to the back of the throat.  In children this tube is not vertical and wide as it will be when they get older and as a result doesn't work as well.  If the Eustachian tube becomes blocked, air cannot enter the middle ear.  When this happens, the cells lining the middle ear begin to produce fluid.  This can be a  runny liquid which can get thicker as it fills the middle ear.With fluid blocking the middle ear, it becomes harder for sound to pass through to the inner ear.  This can make quieter sounds difficult to hear.  It can be like listening to the world with both your fingers stuck in your ears.  It is hard work, try it for yourself!  If your child has glue ear they can't always hear everything that you say, so it is no wonder they're tired and irritable, or just want to be left on their own.  Recently Anthony Matthews an Osteopath based in Herne Bay, Kent has carried out a study into Glue Ear and has formulated an osteopathic treatment regime to help patients suffering with this condition.

We have seen several patients over recent years and have seen some dramatic results.  Recently Angela Fawcett treated a 2 year old boy who presented with poor hearing and speech development.  He had recently failed a hearing test and his mother was obviously concerned.  After the 1st treatment, the little boy went home and asked his mother to turn the TV down because it was too loud!  Also he started to say words after the 1st treatment and by the 3rd treatment he was putting sentences together

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