Otitis Media With Effusion (OME)
Ear infection in which fluid remains trapped behind the eardrum inside the middle ear after the infection is over.
Part of: Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
About Otitis Media With Effusion (OME)
Sometimes the inflammation clears up and the eardrum heals but the sticky, glue-like fluid stays in the ear. The medical term for this condition is otitis media with effusion (OME), also known as glue ear. Children who have glue ear often have a feeling of pressure in their ear, but rarely experience pain. Glue ear can cause hearing loss, which can in turn lead to delays in speech and language development.
If a child has frequent middle ear infections and the eardrum ruptures (bursts) again and again, the thin membrane may become scarred. This can make the eardrum harder, preventing it from moving freely. If this happens it can lead to hearing loss because incoming sound waves can no longer be fully passed on to the inner ear. IQWiG – Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care