This is a deposit of catarrh behind the ear-drum.

Secretion builds up in the middle ear if the ventilation tube to the ear is blocked.  This is the tube you notice working when your ears pop! In children under the age of seven, this can cause quite a problem with hearing. The sound vibrations transmit across the tiny hearing bones in the middle ear. The sticky secretion makes this more difficult and  causes mild to moderate deafness( but never severe or profound hearing problems). The problem is more common in families where one or both parents smoke.

This can be quite a problem for children under the age of seven, when it is most common.  Typically this is a problem that comes and goes; it may switch from ear to ear or affect both ears together. It is worst between 9 and 18 months and again between 4 and 5 years. In the Reception Year in school one in four children have 'glue ear' on any one day, so most teachers are well aware of the problem.

Fortunately, this condition only lasts days or weeks for most children. Some children have the problem for months at a time, and these children may need special help or treatment. If their deafness is persistent they are usually referred to Community Child Health Audiology Clinics and then onto ENT consultants if necessary. Two options for treatment are: temporary hearing aids until the 'glue ear' resolves naturally, or grommet insertions under anaesthetic.