Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary Fluid buildup in the middle ear is called otitis media with effusion. The middle ear is the small part of the ear just inside the eardrum. Your child may not have any symptoms, or your child may have some minor discomfort and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears. Your child may say that their ears feel plugged. Fluid can build up when a cold, allergy, or some other problem causes the small tube that carries fluid from the middle ear to the throat to swell and close. If this tube, called the eustachian tube, gets blocked, fluid builds up in the middle ear. For some children, the fluid goes away in a few weeks. But a few children still have fluid buildup 3 months after it starts. If your child still has fluid after an ear infection, they are more likely to get another infection. In most cases, fluid in the middle ear clears up within 3 months without treatment. But if the fluid is still there after 3 months and your child has trouble hearing, treatment may be advised. Your doctor may suggest one of the following treatments: If your child has fluid buildup, it may help to keep your child away from secondhand smoke at home or in the car. Your doctor might suggest treatment if: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. My little boy, Mateo, is 5 years old. He has only had two ear infections, but he still has fluid behind his eardrum since this last infection. The fluid has been behind his eardrum for 3 months now. It doesn't seem to bother him. I'm going to have Mateo's hearing tested and, if it is okay, I'm just going to wait to see if the fluid will go away on its own. Ramon, age 45 My daughter, Sarah, is almost 3 years old. A few months ago, she had her fourth ear infection, and this time there is still fluid behind her eardrum. I am worried. I don't want Sarah to have trouble with her speech. I have heard about putting tubes in children's ears to help drain fluid. Even though surgery is scary, I'm going to go ahead and talk with Sarah's doctor about having it done. Sarah is tired of taking medicines, and I don't want Sarah to have any hearing loss. Wilson, age 33 My daughter, Amanda, is 4. She just had her first ear infection 4 months ago and still has fluid behind her eardrum. I had her hearing tested, and there is no problem. The fluid doesn't seem to bother her. Amanda really hates to take medicine, so I'm just going to wait and see if the fluid will go away on its own. Michelle, age 25 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to treat fluid buildup in your child's middle ear Reasons not to treat fluid buildup I want to get rid of the fluid in my child's middle ear now before it causes my child any problems. I want to wait and see if the fluid clears up on its own. I'm worried that fluid in the ears may cause my child to have problems hearing. I'm not worried that my child will develop hearing problems. I'm not worried about the risks and side effects of treatment. I'm worried that my child might not be able to handle the side effects of treatment. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having my child treated NOT having my child treated Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Fluid buildup in the middle ear is called otitis media with effusion. The middle ear is the small part of the ear just inside the eardrum. Your child may not have any symptoms, or your child may have some minor discomfort and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears. Your child may say that their ears feel plugged. Fluid can build up when a cold, allergy, or some other problem causes the small tube that carries fluid from the middle ear to the throat to swell and close. If this tube, called the eustachian tube, gets blocked, fluid builds up in the middle ear. For some children, the fluid goes away in a few weeks. But a few children still have fluid buildup 3 months after it starts. If your child still has fluid after an ear infection, they are more likely to get another infection. In most cases, fluid in the middle ear clears up within 3 months without treatment. But if the fluid is still there after 3 months and your child has trouble hearing, treatment may be advised. Your doctor may suggest one of the following treatments: If your child has fluid buildup, it may help to keep your child away from secondhand smoke at home or in the car. Your doctor might suggest treatment if: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "My little boy, Mateo, is 5 years old. He has only had two ear infections, but he still has fluid behind his eardrum since this last infection. The fluid has been behind his eardrum for 3 months now. It doesn't seem to bother him. I'm going to have Mateo's hearing tested and, if it is okay, I'm just going to wait to see if the fluid will go away on its own." — Ramon, age 45 "My daughter, Sarah, is almost 3 years old. A few months ago, she had her fourth ear infection, and this time there is still fluid behind her eardrum. I am worried. I don't want Sarah to have trouble with her speech. I have heard about putting tubes in children's ears to help drain fluid. Even though surgery is scary, I'm going to go ahead and talk with Sarah's doctor about having it done. Sarah is tired of taking medicines, and I don't want Sarah to have any hearing loss." — Wilson, age 33 "My daughter, Amanda, is 4. She just had her first ear infection 4 months ago and still has fluid behind her eardrum. I had her hearing tested, and there is no problem. The fluid doesn't seem to bother her. Amanda really hates to take medicine, so I'm just going to wait and see if the fluid will go away on its own." — Michelle, age 25 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to treat fluid buildup in your child's middle ear Reasons not to treat fluid buildup I want to get rid of the fluid in my child's middle ear now before it causes my child any problems. I want to wait and see if the fluid clears up on its own. I'm worried that fluid in the ears may cause my child to have problems hearing. I'm not worried that my child will develop hearing problems. I'm not worried about the risks and side effects of treatment. I'm worried that my child might not be able to handle the side effects of treatment. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having my child treated NOT having my child treated 1.
Does fluid buildup in the middle ear always need to be treated? 2.
Can having a buildup of fluid in the middle ear cause hearing problems? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: September 27, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardEar Problems: Should My Child Be Treated for Fluid Buildup in the Middle Ear?
Ear Problems: Should My Child Be Treated for Fluid Buildup in the Middle Ear?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is fluid buildup in the middle ear?
How is fluid buildup in the middle ear treated?
What home treatments can you try?
Why might your doctor recommend treating fluid buildup in the middle ear?
Compare your options
Personal stories about treatment for fluid behind the eardrum
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Ear Problems: Should My Child Be Treated for Fluid Buildup in the Middle Ear?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is fluid buildup in the middle ear?
How is fluid buildup in the middle ear treated?
What home treatments can you try?
Why might your doctor recommend treating fluid buildup in the middle ear?
2. Compare your options
Treat fluid buildup in the middle ear Don't treat fluid buildup What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about treatment for fluid behind the eardrum
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Treat fluid buildup in the middle ear Treat fluid buildup in the middle ear
Don't treat fluid buildup Don't treat fluid buildup
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You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
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That's right. Fluid buildup in the middle ear usually clears up within 3 months without treatment.
That's right. In rare cases, fluid buildup that lasts 3 months or more may cause hearing problems. But hearing usually returns to normal after the fluid is gone.
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