This may require medical treatment. Tubes may be inserted in chronic cases and are very common. Middle ear fluid or infection in young children can disrupt learning at this critical age for language learning. Key symptoms include sudden reduction in hearing, ear pain and often drainage.
It does not need to be a lasting problem. We have tests and cameras that can verify middle ear fluid and guide treatment in a timely manner. Treatment options include antibiotics, analgesics, antipyretics, as well as supplements such as Vitamin C, Zinc and Echinacea. Chronic, recurrent Otitis Media may be treated by insertion of ventilation tubes through the tympanic membrane for drainage and pressure equalization.
Do not wait if you or your physician suspect fluid in your middle ears. A thorough diagnostic ear exam is the first step toward appropriate treatment and relief. Clean Room Services. Our Staff. Insurance Accepted. Hearing FAQs. How We Can Help. Hearing Aids. It takes several months for the fluid to get to this appearance.
Most likely this patient will need to have middle ear ventilation tubes placed in order to clear up this condition. Nine year old male with long standing fluid in the middle ear. The fluid is almost black in color and the ear drum in thinned out and appears bulging.
The white spot is an old scar. An adult after a P. The ear drum has some thickening which makes it appear like fluid in the ear. This tube helps drain fluid to prevent it from building up in the ear. The fluid drains from the tube and is swallowed. OME is most common in winter or early spring, but it can occur at any time of year. It can affect people of any age. It occurs most often in children under age 2, but is rare in newborns. The fluid in OME is often thin and watery.
In the past, it was thought that the fluid got thicker the longer it was present in the ear. However, fluid thickness is now thought to be related to the ear itself, rather than to how long the fluid is present.
Older children and adults often complain of muffled hearing or a sense of fullness in the ear. Younger children may turn up the television volume because of hearing loss. The health care provider may find OME while checking your child's ears after an ear infection has been treated. A test called tympanometry is an accurate tool for diagnosing OME. The results of this test can help tell the amount and thickness of the fluid. An audiometer or other type of formal hearing test may be done. This can help the provider decide on treatment.
Most providers will not treat OME at first, unless there are also signs of an infection. Instead, they will recheck the problem in 2 to 3 months. Most often the fluid will clear on its own. Your provider may suggest watching the condition for a while to see if it is getting worse before recommending treatment.
If the fluid is still present at 8 to 12 weeks, antibiotics may be tried. These medicines are not always helpful. If there is significant hearing loss more than 20 decibels , antibiotics or ear tubes might be needed. If the fluid is still present after 4 to 6 months, tubes are probably needed, even if there is no major hearing loss.
OME most often goes away on its own over a few weeks or months. Treatment may speed up this process.
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