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Glue ear

Glue ear is one of the most common childhood illnesses and without treatment can affect the way a child's speech develops and cause them to fall behind at school.

Children under five are the largest group affected by glue ear, though for some it can persist into adolescence.

Glue ear can:

cause temporary deafness
delay speech development in young children
affect behaviour and educational progress.

This publication explains what glue ear is, describes the conditions which can contribute to the development of glue ear and advises of the treatment available.

Download:

Glue ear - English language (278 kb)
Glue ear - Bengali_language (553 kb)
Glue ear - Punjabi language (549 kb)
Glue ear - Urdu language (3047 kb)
Glue ear - Welsh language (687 kb)

Note: This glue ear publication reflects the latest NICE guidance and has been Highly Commended in the British Medical Association Patient Information Awards 2009.

NDCS also publishes a factsheet about treatments for glue ear, other than using grommets.

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