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Chronic otitis media - "fluid in the middle ear"
Chronic otitis media is a bit of a strange term, as the condition is neither an inflammation nor a chronic one. Rather, it is a condition where there is secretion in the middle ear and which is easily treated. The condition sometimes goes away on its own, but in some cases the condition does not go away until something active is done, such as placing a drain in the eardrum.
Chronic otitis media - or "fluid in the middle ear" typically causes both ear pain and hearing loss, as well as thick discharge from the ear. Chronic otitis media is very common among children of institutional age, but adults can also be affected. Children and parents often see an otolaryngologist after a prolonged period of poor sleep and changed behavior. This is often a good reason to check the children's ears.
Regardless of age, chronic otitis media and fluid in the middle ear are very uncomfortable and can cause many restless and sleepless nights for the whole family.
At Charlottenlund Privathospital we treat both children and adults with chronic otitis media (fluid in the ears). If you yourself, or your child, have symptoms of fluid in the middle ear, Charlottenlund Privathospital always offers quick appointments for examination and treatment. Contact us to make an appointment by clicking here.
Background: What is chronic otitis media?
The ear consists of the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Fluid accumulation can occur in the middle ear – most often in connection with or after a cold.
The most common cause of chronic otitis media or fluid in the middle ear is usually a result of a common cold, where the narrow passage (also called the Eustachian tube), which connects the middle ear to the pharynx, swells up and thus closes off, which reduces the ability to equalize pressure in the middle ear and negative pressure in the middle ear occurs. Negative pressure in the middle ear is completely normal in small children, but when the middle ear has been exposed to negative pressure for a longer period of time, the mucous membrane in the middle ear begins to produce a thick secretion that has the consistency of contact glue - hence the English name "Glue Ear". The fluid in the middle ear dampens the movements of the eardrum and therefore causes hearing loss, just as it presses on the eardrum - especially when lying down where the pressure increases - which causes pain in the ears and often wakes small children - and not least the rest of the family - at night.
The condition often disappears on its own, but if there is no improvement after a few months of observation, the specialist will typically offer to place a small drain during surgery under general anesthesia, which relieves the pressure on the ear. This will immediately eliminate the pain and hearing loss.
Watch Sundhed.dk's animation of how otitis media works.
What is chronic otitis media?
It is very important to distinguish between acute and chronic otitis media.
Acute otitis media is a very painful infection with bacteria or viruses that causes pus and inflammation in the middle ear, which causes high fever and pronounced pain. Due to the rapid development and large production of inflammation, it often ends with the eardrum bursting and a mixture of pus and inflammation flowing from the ear, which provides immediate pain relief.
In the vast majority of cases, the body is able to fight otitis media itself. The pain will typically disappear after 2-4 days, after which the condition can turn into a less painful but more chronic condition, where there is only fluid and secretions in the middle ear. .
If this condition does not go away, or the acute otitis media keeps coming back, treatment with a drain may be considered, which immediately creates normal pressure in the middle ear, thereby normalizing the conditions that created the fluid in the middle ear.
How to treat chronic otitis media:
Chronic otitis media should be examined and treated by an ear, nose and throat doctor, as it can often be difficult for non-specialists to make the correct diagnosis.
Treatment of chronic otitis media involves inserting a small drain into the eardrum under general anesthesia, after which the middle ear is sucked empty of fluid. The entire operation is completed in just a few minutes and results in immediate normalization of hearing, as well as the nightly pain and screaming stops.
At Charlottenlund Privathospital, our experienced ear, nose and throat doctors have treated many thousands of patients with chronic otitis media and can also treat you or your child.
What if it's not the ears?
In some cases, parents experience the somewhat frustrating situation that, despite all symptoms pointing to the cause of their little one's sleepless nights being in the ears, there is nothing wrong with the ears despite repeated, thorough examinations.
The hope is often that if only a drain could be placed, everything would be fine - but putting drains on healthy children does not help.
In these situations, we always advise parents to have the child examined to see if they either have reflux (typically children who have regurgitated a lot as infants), or if the child has signs of chronic constipation or perhaps musculoskeletal problems that a chiropractor can help with.
Regardless of whether we find anything wrong with the ears or not, you as parents will always receive advice and guidance that you can use when you leave here.