glue ear

Built by Herman

For those that suffer, or who have a family member that suffers, there is hope in the form of a non invasive treatment that can bring comfort and may avoid surgery.

The treatment is that pioneered by the UK Osteopath Tony Mathews (click here for article)

By using a series of manipulations we are able to drain away fluid from the middle ear.

The severity of the case dictates the length of treatment and this is outlined in an initial one hour consultation.

For those with a medical mind and know all the long words:

Glue ear is otitis media with effusion as opposed to acute otitis media.

And now for the rest of us:

There is a passage between our middle ear and our throat, Eustachian tube.

In children these tubes are very narrow and can get blocked easily, this leads to fluid and “gunk” building up in the middle ear.

The cause is unclear, but has been attributed to, amongst other things, infections, such as colds and flu. Though it has also been documented that Glue ear has happened without such infections.

The middle ear, when blocked, is susceptible to infections and can be quite painful.

But, it also can reduce hearing, according to www.abc.net.au, by between 0 to 60 decibels with the average being around 25 decibels.

There is the “waiting & watching” Some Doctors insist it’s worth waiting as most cases clear up in several months (though that’s several months of discomfort)

Antibiotics - though if there is no infection present their use would seem pointless.

Surgery. If hearing loss is 30 decibels or more in both ears a small incision is made in the eardrum and grommets are fitted. Surgery does hold potential complications.