Otitis media with effusion or glue ear is a common childhood ear condition. Let me first explain what the term means. Otitis media is the technical term for an inflammation of the ‘middle ear’, the part of the ear behind the ear drum. Effusion refers to the collection of fluid in the middle ear. This condition often goes by the name ‘glue ear’, a reference to the gluey, sticky fluid that collects behind the ear drum. So why does this happen? What causes otitis media with effusion to occur and what are the effects of this condition? Let’s find out. What You Should Know About the Ear First A little about how the ear works, first. Behind the ear drum lies a small bone-lined cavity called the middle ear. This cavity contains the three tiny … Read entire article »