Glue ear is a common ear condition that can affect hearing, communication, learning, and quality of life. It is especially common in young children, but adults can also experience persistent middle ear fluid and blocked ear symptoms. While many cases improve naturally, some patients need specialist assessment and treatment.
One of the most commonly discussed treatments for persistent glue ear is grommets. Grommets are tiny ventilation tubes placed into the eardrum to help air enter the middle ear and allow trapped fluid to clear.
At Melbourne ENT in St Kilda East, Victoria, patients receive comprehensive ear, nose, and throat assessment in a supportive, professional setting. Dr Simon Braham, ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon, provides care for adults and children with glue ear, recurrent ear infections, hearing concerns, nasal obstruction, snoring, and other ENT conditions.
Glue ear is the common name for otitis media with effusion. It occurs when fluid collects behind the eardrum in the middle ear. This fluid is not always infected, and it may not cause pain. However, it can stop sound from passing clearly through the ear.
The middle ear normally contains air. When the Eustachian tube does not work properly, air cannot circulate and fluid may build up. Over time, this fluid can become thick and sticky, which is why the condition is called glue ear.
Glue ear can cause:
Because glue ear can be subtle, it is often noticed through changes in behaviour rather than obvious complaints of hearing loss.
Children are more likely to develop glue ear because their Eustachian tubes are smaller and still developing. They also commonly experience colds, viral infections, and enlarged adenoids, which can contribute to middle ear fluid.
Parents may notice that their child:
Even mild hearing loss can affect a child’s speech, confidence, behaviour, and learning. This is why persistent symptoms should be assessed.
Glue ear is less common in adults, but it can still occur. Adults may develop middle ear fluid after a cold, sinus infection, allergy flare, or pressure change. They may notice blocked ears, muffled hearing, popping, pressure, or mild imbalance.
Persistent one-sided glue ear in an adult should always be assessed by an ENT specialist. This helps identify the cause and rule out less common underlying problems.
You should consider seeing an ENT specialist if symptoms last for several months, keep returning, or affect hearing and communication.
Specialist assessment may be recommended when there is:
At Melbourne ENT, Dr Simon Braham provides thorough assessment for patients across Melbourne, Victoria, and surrounding areas. The goal is to understand the cause of symptoms and recommend treatment only when appropriate.
Diagnosis begins with a detailed medical history. The ENT specialist will ask about symptoms, duration, previous ear infections, hearing concerns, speech development, nasal symptoms, allergies, sleep, and general health.
An ear examination is then performed. The eardrum may appear dull, retracted, or less mobile. Sometimes fluid or air bubbles can be seen behind the eardrum.
Hearing tests may also be recommended. These can include:
These tests help confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.
Grommets are small ventilation tubes placed through the eardrum to help ventilate the middle ear. They may be considered in selected children with persistent middle-ear fluid, associated hearing loss or recurrent middle-ear problems.
See our Grommet Surgery page for detailed information about the procedure.
Not every case of glue ear requires surgery. Many cases improve with time, especially after a cold or ear infection settles. However, grommets may be considered when glue ear is persistent or causing meaningful problems.
For children, grommets may be recommended if hearing loss is affecting speech, listening, school readiness, behaviour, or development. For adults, grommets may be considered when fluid does not resolve or when pressure and hearing symptoms continue.
At Melbourne ENT, treatment decisions are made after careful assessment. Dr Simon Braham, ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon, explains the diagnosis, treatment options, benefits, risks, and expected recovery so patients and families can make informed decisions.
If persistent middle-ear fluid is affecting hearing or contributing to other concerns, grommet surgery may be discussed after assessment. The decision depends on factors such as symptom duration, hearing-test results, recurrent infections and the child’s individual circumstances. For detailed information about the procedure, recovery and risks, see our Grommet Surgery page.
Recovery after grommet insertion is generally discussed as part of the surgical consultation, including ear care, swimming advice, follow-up and what symptoms should prompt medical review. See our Grommet Surgery page for detailed recovery information.
Grommets usually fall out naturally as the eardrum heals. This may happen after several months or longer, depending on the patient and the type of grommet used.
Grommets are intended to improve middle-ear ventilation and may improve hearing where persistent fluid is contributing to conductive hearing loss. The degree and duration of benefit vary between patients.
Whether grommets are appropriate depends on the child’s hearing, symptoms, duration of middle-ear fluid and other clinical factors.
All surgery has risks. Grommet surgery is common, but it should still be discussed carefully.
Possible risks include:
At Melbourne ENT, patients receive clear information before surgery. The aim is to make sure grommets are recommended only when the expected benefits outweigh the risks.
In Australia, grommet surgery may be eligible for a Medicare rebate when it is medically indicated and performed under an applicable Medicare Benefits Schedule item number. Medicare may contribute to part of the surgeon, anaesthetist, and hospital-related costs.
However, Medicare may not cover the full cost of private surgery. Patients may still have out-of-pocket expenses, including surgeon fees, anaesthetic fees, hospital excess, or private health insurance gaps.
Before proceeding with surgery, patients should check with Medicare and their private health insurer. Melbourne ENT can provide fee information before surgery so patients understand expected costs.
Melbourne ENT is located in St Kilda East, Victoria, and provides specialist ENT care for adults and children. The clinic is known for careful diagnosis, clear communication, and personalised treatment planning.
Dr Simon Braham, MBBS (Hons), FRACS, ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon, has extensive experience in adult and paediatric ENT care. He trained in Melbourne, New York, and Boston, and holds appointments including Masada Private Hospital and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
Patients choose Melbourne ENT for:
Melbourne ENT supports patients from Melbourne, regional Victoria, and surrounding areas who are seeking expert care for glue ear, grommets, recurrent ear infections, and other ENT conditions.
Yes. Many cases of glue ear improve naturally, especially after a cold or ear infection settles. However, if fluid remains for several months or causes hearing problems, specialist assessment may be recommended.
Children may not always say they cannot hear properly. Signs may include asking for repetition, turning up the television, speaking loudly, seeming inattentive, delayed speech, or struggling to follow instructions.
No. Some children only need monitoring. Grommets may be recommended when glue ear is persistent, affects hearing, or contributes to speech, learning, behaviour, or quality of life concerns.
Grommet surgery is usually well tolerated. Children are generally asleep during the procedure. Some mild discomfort or discharge may occur after surgery, but recovery is often quick.
Grommets usually fall out naturally as the eardrum heals. This may happen after several months or longer. Follow-up appointments help monitor the ears.
Yes. Adults may have grommets if they have persistent middle ear fluid, Eustachian tube dysfunction, pressure symptoms, or hearing problems that do not resolve.
Hearing may improve quickly once fluid clears, but every patient is different. Follow-up hearing tests may be recommended to assess improvement.
Yes, glue ear can return in some patients. This is more likely if Eustachian tube problems, enlarged adenoids, allergies, or recurrent infections continue. Repeat assessment can help determine the next step.
Glue ear can affect hearing, speech, learning, behaviour, and everyday comfort. For some patients, it improves naturally. For others, persistent fluid can cause ongoing problems that need specialist care.
Grommets may be an effective treatment for selected children and adults with persistent glue ear, hearing loss, or recurrent ear infections. The best approach depends on the patient’s symptoms, examination findings, hearing results, and overall health.
If you or your child has ongoing blocked ears, hearing changes, recurrent ear infections, or concerns about speech and listening, a specialist ENT assessment can help clarify the best next step.
To learn more or arrange a consultation with Dr Simon Braham, ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon, at Melbourne ENT, visit the contact page or visit the related pages on the website