WHAT IS OTTIS MEDIA?
There are four different types of otitis media, with 'Glue Ear' being the most commonly mis or undiagnosed.
Glue ear listed as number four "4" on this page
You may find the hearing loss checklist at the bottom of the page handy, and it is printable or download the OTTIS MEDIA GUIDELINES APP Below.
A NORMAL eardrum.
NO infection or fluid in the middle ear is present.
You can see the reflection of the doctor's ear torch shining back at you.
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Symptoms of acute otitis media (ear infection):
- Fever and or headaches
- Head cold/ flu
- May have frequent colds and runny nose.
- Sore, red or runny ears (although often children who have had constant ear problems, from a toddler, become immune to the pain as they think it is normal, so often won't complain)
CHRONIC SUPPURATIVE OTITIS MEDIA:
Refers to the presence of a hole in the eardrum with continuous discharge of pus from the middle ear over several weeks. If left untreated, the hole will not close naturally and will require surgical repair, which can be a painful procedure. These surgeries are typically performed after the age of 8, when the Eustachian tube has matured.
Symptoms of chronic suppurative otitis media:
- Constant pus draining from the ear canal requires immediate medical attention from a GP.
- -If the pus has an odor, it may indicate a severe infection that needs urgent medical treatment.
OTITIS MEDIA EXTERNA:
This type of infection occurs in the ear canal and NOT the middle ear. It is also known as 'swimmers ear' and is more common in older children and adults. Water and bacteria entering the ear canal is a common cause.
It is also very common in Tradesmen as they use and re-use dirty ear plugs.
Symptoms of otitis externa:
- Itchy ear
- Painful, swollen ear canal
- Discharge
- Eczema around the opening of canal
It is also very common in Tradesmen as they use and re-use dirty ear plugs.
Symptoms of otitis externa:
- Itchy ear
- Painful, swollen ear canal
- Discharge
- Eczema around the opening of canal
The ear canal swells and develops an eczema in the canal. It can be very itchy.
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Eczema around the ear canal
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OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION commonly known as GLUE EAR.
Otitis media with effusion is a very common condition in children. "Effusion" simply means fluid. In this condition, the eardrum is not red or inflamed, and there is no pain or fever. Fluid in the middle ear can last for many months, or it may disappear and return, making it VERY HARD to diagnose.
This is why regular hearing tests are crucial. Some children take months to be diagnosed because the fluid may not be present during the test. Trust your instincts and continue to monitor your child's ear health, especially if they are experiencing problems with speech, learning, or behavior. The checklist below will assist you.
The eardrum will not vibrate normally when fluid is present in the middle ear.
Your GP may diagnose glue ear, but the fluid may not be present during the hearing test. It’s important to schedule another hearing test in 3–4 months. Each time you visit the doctor, ask to have your child's ears checked, even if the visit is unrelated to otitis media.
If your child’s school doesn’t provide hearing tests, consider making school holidays your regular time to have your child’s hearing checked.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD MAY HAVE OTITIS MEDIA?
Below is a checklist we use in schools, developed by the Department of Education Hearing Support Team in Dubbo. It helps identify possible hearing problems. Please share it with your friends.
***Please take note of the 'Behaviour Identifiers' table on the checklist, which highlights the similarities between hearing loss and ADHD/Autism!
| parent_hoh_hearing_loss_checklist_2020.pdf |
