When an ear is rechecked after an acute ear infection, fluid is often still present after the symptoms have gone. This is OME and usually does not benefit from extra rounds of antibiotics. Children get OME much more often than adults. [drgreene.com]

As such, anyone presenting with chronic otitis media or other allergy symptoms is a candidate for specific IgE blood testing. [thermofisher.com]

Half of the children found to have middle ear pathology in the first evaluation presented with the same pathology 6 months later. [cjslpa.ca]

• Inflammation

  Auditory anomalies include an enlarged ear ridge, and hearing impairment associated with congenital otitis media (or glue ear, inflammation of the middle ear) and sensorineural hearing loss. Particularly picking up deafness because of glue ear. [fr.bab.la]

  Some reasons the eustachian tube may not work properly include: An immature eustachian tube, which is common in young children An inflammation of the adenoids A cold or allergy, which can lead to swelling and congestion of the lining of the nose, throat [chop.edu]

  The effusion may be sterile or (more commonly) contain pathogenic bacteria sometimes as a biofilm, although inflammation is not observed. [msdmanuals.com]

  Research published in 2002 suggests that in some children with frequent ear infections, undiagnosed GE reflux is responsible for the inflammation of the Eustachian tube. [drgreene.com]

  Allergic disease and eustachian tube dysfunction:10,11 Increase inflammation Increase serous fluid production Provide a rich environment for infection The symptom threshold Up to 80 percent of patients with allergies are sensitized to more than one allergen [thermofisher.com]

• Weakness

  Warning signs of chronic otitis media include:5 Persistent blockage of fullness of the ear Hearing loss Chronic ear drainage Development of balance problems Facial weakness Persistent deep ear pain or headache Fever Confusion or sleepiness Drainage or [thermofisher.com]

• Hearing Impairment

  Auditory anomalies include an enlarged ear ridge, and hearing impairment associated with congenital otitis media (or glue ear, inflammation of the middle ear) and sensorineural hearing loss. Particularly picking up deafness because of glue ear. [fr.bab.la]

  Otitis media may not only cause severe pain, but also result in serious complication, including permanent hearing impairment, if it is not treated. [thermofisher.com]

• Language Delays

  The above time schedule may be accelerated for children with other conditions, such as repeated episodes of AOM, anatomic differences, immunity problems, or language delays. [drgreene.com]

Treatment for OME depends on many factors and is tailored for each child. Please discuss your child's condition, treatment options and your preferences with your child's physician or healthcare provider. [chop.edu]

Doctors may recommend people undergo treatment that stimulates the body's immune system against allergens (immunotherapy). [merckmanuals.com]

When this tube is not working properly, it prevents normal drainage of fluid from the middle ear, causing a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum. [chop.edu]

How can it be prevented? Preventing OME involves preventing acute ear infections and ensuring proper Eustachian tube function. Try: Decreasing your child’s exposure to ear infection-causing bacteria a. [drgreene.com]

Tympanostomy tubes can help prevent recurrences of acute otitis media and secretory otitis media. Occasionally, the middle ear is temporarily ventilated with the Valsalva maneuver or politzerization. [msdmanuals.com]

Update on otitis media – prevention and treatment. Infection and Drug Resistance. 2014;7:15-24. doi:10.2147/IDR.S39637. Tomonaga, K, Kurono, Y, Mogi, G. The role of nasal allergy in otitis media with effusion. A clinical study. [thermofisher.com]