ENT: Discharging ears Flashcards
what is glue ear?
Glue ear is also known as otitis media with effusion.
The middle ear becomes full of fluid, causing a loss of hearing in that ear.
what causes glue ear
Eustachian tube becomes blocked causes middle ear secretions (fluid) to build up in the middle ear space.
what is the function of the Eustachian tube?
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat.
It helps drain secretions from the middle ear.
Allows air pressures to be same outside the head as inside.
what is otitis media?
infection of the ear
how does glue ear present?
- loss of hearing
- possible ear infection
how do you investigate glue ear?
- otoscope
- audiometry (extent of hearing loss)
what is the treatment for glue ear?
Glue ear is usually treated conservatively, and resolves without treatment within 3 months.
if it doesn’t resolve = GROMMETS
- tiny tubes inserted into the tympanic membrane by an ENT surgeon. This allows fluid from the middle ear to drain through the tympanic membrane to the ear canal.
- The procedure is relatively safe with few complications. Grommets usually fall out within a year, and only 1 in 3 patients require further grommets to be inserted for persistent glue ear.
