Recent medical research is changing the way many doctors treat ear infections. Consider the following when making your decision:

• Children younger than 2 years of age who have had fluid behind the eardrum for longer than 3 months may need treatment right away to avoid hearing problems. This also includes children who are just learning to talk.
• Children who have had fluid behind the eardrum for longer than 3 months need their hearing tested.
  • If there is no hearing loss, you may choose to use home treatment for another 3 months. If the fluid isn't gone in another 3 months, you will need to consider other options.
  • If hearing test results show your child has some hearing loss, your doctor may suggest options such as antibiotics or surgery to insert tubes in the eardrums.
• If your child has had antibiotic medicines within the last few months, there may be concern about drug-resistant bacteria occurring. Your doctor may suggest surgery to insert tubes in the eardrums.

What is fluid behind the eardrum?

Fluid behind the eardrum, also called otitis media with effusion, is a buildup of fluid in the middle ear behind the eardrum without symptoms of infection. The condition, sometimes called glue ear, often follows an ear infection, although it can occur without one.

When swelling from a cold or allergy attack causes blockage of the eustachian tubes, air can't reach the middle ear. The vacuum and suction created by the blockage pulls fluid into the middle ear and prevents this and other fluids from draining out of the middle ear. The fluid that builds up is called effusion.

When is the buildup of fluid in the middle ear considered chronic?

Fluid in the middle ear behind the eardrum following an ear infection is normal. In most cases, the fluid will clear up within 3 months without treatment. If the fluid stays for longer than 3 months, it's considered chronic. But if after 3 months the child doesn't have hearing loss, you may decide to treat him or her at home for another 3 months.

How is chronic otitis media with effusion treated?

Watchful waiting may be all that is needed. This means that you keep an eye on symptoms and if they improve, no treatment is needed. Fluid behind the eardrum after an infection is normal. The fluid often clears up within 3 months without treatment. If the fluid persists and there is hearing loss, the treatment options are antibiotics and surgery. Surgical procedures that treat this condition include placing tubes into the eardrum to drain the fluid or removing the adenoids and, possibly, the tonsils.

How can I tell if my child has otitis media with effusion?

A child who has otitis media with effusion might experience popping, ringing, or a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. He or she may also have a loss of hearing, which may make him or her seem dreamy or grumpy. But some children have no symptoms with this condition.

What are the risks of chronic fluid behind the eardrum?

Ongoing fluid behind the eardrum can cause temporary hearing loss and, rarely, permanent hearing loss. This is of greater concern in children younger than 2 years, as normal hearing is important when children are learning to talk.

For more information, see the topic Ear Infections.

Your choices are:

• Use home treatment and see whether the fluid goes away on its own.
• Talk with a doctor about treatment options, including antibiotics and ear tubes.

The decision about whether to have your child treated for fluid behind the eardrum takes into account your personal feelings and the medical facts.

These personal stories may help you make your decision.

Use this worksheet to help you make your decision. After finishing it, you should have a better idea of how you feel about having your child treated for fluid behind the eardrum. Discuss the worksheet with your doctor.

Circle the answer that best applies to you.

*NA = Not applicable

Use the following space to list any other important concerns you have about this decision.

What is your overall impression?

Your answers in the above worksheet are meant to give you a general idea of where you stand on this decision. You may have one overriding reason to have or not have your child treated for fluid behind the eardrum.

Check the box below that represents your overall impression about your decision.