Otovent Autoinflation Device - Clinically Effective Treatment for Glue Ear

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Several small hospital based studies have found that a simple, non-surgical procedure using a nasal balloon device can be effective in resolving hearing loss caused by glue ear. This trial was funded by the NIHR to assess the effectiveness of this procedure in primary care. It is the largest trial to date and one of a few to measure response at three months. After randomisation 29 children in the nasal balloon group and 28 in the usual care group were excluded mainly because data was missing or uninterpretable. The analysis at one month included data from the remaining 131 and 132 children respectively.

Most cases of glue ear go away on their own. However, glue ear that turns into a middle ear infection may be treated with antibiotics. Autoinflation

What is the treatment journey for persistent glue ear?

Hold the round part of the nose piece firmly against your right nostril with your right hand. Press your left nostril closed, using the fingers of your left hand Have cleft palate, or other reasons for altered facial development such as Down's syndrome which can affect how well the eustachian tube works. Hearing aids are an option instead of an operation to insert grommets in children with hearing loss who have glue ear in both ears. The hearing aids would usually only be used for the time until the glue ear clears away. There are different types of hearing aids that can be used mainly depending on whether the hearing is fluctuating or not. Ear, nose and throat. Oxford handbook of general practice. Oxford Medicine Online. oxfordmedicine.com, published June 2020

Your child’s healthcare provider will examine your child’s ears to diagnose glue ear. They’ll use a small scope to look for fluid in your child’s ears. Good quality, digital hearing aids are available free of charge for all children on the NHS. Your child may also be offered a bone conduction hearing device. This is a plain English summary of an original research article. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and reviewer(s) at the time of publication. Otovent can be used in any situation where you cannot clear negative middle ear pressure (Eustachian tube dysfunction), otitis media with effusion, during or after a flight, after diving, pressure chamber treatment). If left untreated, these conditions may lead to a temporary sensation of heaviness and impaired hearing. After a few weeks, fluid may also collect in the middle ear. Otovent equalises the pressure and relieves the symptoms in the middle ear. How does the Otovent method work? The GP may suggest trying a treatment called autoinflation while waiting for symptoms to improve. Autoinflation can help fluid in the ear to drain.Yes. All children should have a routine hearing test shortly after birth. However, most cases of glue ear develop in children aged 2-5 years. Therefore, hearing may have been fine at the routine hearing test but then become dulled at a later time. Hearing tests are also performed routinely in many areas of the UK when children enter school (in state education settings), although this is not universal. See a doctor if you suspect your child has dulled hearing at any age. How long does glue ear last? Another parent agreed " my son was quite shy to do it at first. But when we got home of course it's like a new toy so he was all over it" Your child’s specialist may perform a surgery called myringotomy. During this procedure, the specialist will make a small cut in your child’s eardrum to allow fluid to drain from their middle ear. The specialist may place a tiny, hollow ear tube in the cut. The tube helps balance the pressure in their eardrum with the pressure in their middle ear. It also provides drainage from your child’s middle ear to their outer ear. The tube usually falls out on its own within a year. Adenoidectomy The Ear Popper® is a more expensive device that is battery operated. It is inserted into one of your nostrils and shoots tiny jets of air into your nose to get more air into your Eustachian tube.

Other parents reported problems continuing treatment over a longer period. Parents tried to make the treatment fun for the children: Otovents are available on prescription. Ask your GP or ENT consultant about whether they think it will be suitable for your child. Glitches in our evolutionary development mean that 80% of four-year-olds get glue ear, a temporary loss of hearing. Many have costly and unnecessary surgery despite there being excellent non-surgical alternatives. The main thing is to be aware that your child may have dulled hearing until the condition goes away or is treated. The following are some tips:

Parents of children who took part in a research study at University of Southampton were interviewed about the nasal balloon. Here are some of their experiences: What did parents say about the nasal balloon?