distinguishing glue ear from otitis media
Last reviewed 01/2018
It is often difficult to distinguish glue ear from acute otitis media, particularly if the acute otitis is recurrent.
Factors suggestive of a diagnosis of glue ear include:
- frequent attacks of otitis media
- it is unusual for children to get multiple resolving episodes of otitis media
- prolonged signs
- otitis media will usually resolve within 6 weeks and certainly within three months
- other risk factors:
- cleft palate
- Down's syndrome
- allergy
- family history