Otitis Media with Effusion (Glue Ear) Care in Gangnam, Seoul
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kim Yoo Suk, MD · Board-certified otolaryngologist · Former professor, Yonsei & Ajou University · Consultations in English
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Otitis media with effusion is fluid trapped behind the eardrum without signs of acute infection. It causes muffled hearing and ear fullness but usually little pain. Many cases clear on their own within weeks to a few months; persistent fluid that affects hearing may be treated with myringotomy, sometimes with a ventilation tube.
What is otitis media with effusion?
Otitis media with effusion (OME), often called "glue ear" or serous otitis media, is a collection of fluid in the middle ear without the fever and acute pain of an infection. The fluid may be thin and watery or thick and sticky. Because it damps the movement of the eardrum and hearing bones, it causes conductive hearing loss.
It commonly follows an acute middle ear infection or a cold, and in adults it often appears after flights, diving or nasal allergies.
Symptoms
- Muffled or reduced hearing
- A blocked, full or "underwater" feeling in the ear
- Crackling or popping when swallowing or yawning
- Your own voice sounding louder (autophony)
- Mild discomfort or imbalance; often no pain
- In children: inattention, speech delay or turning up the TV
Causes
The underlying problem is poor ventilation of the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. Common causes include colds, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, Eustachian tube dysfunction, pressure changes from air travel, and in children, enlarged adenoids. In adults, especially with fluid in one ear only, a mass in the nasopharynx near the Eustachian tube opening must be ruled out.
How it's diagnosed at our Gangnam clinic
Dr. Kim examines the eardrum for an amber color, air bubbles or reduced movement. Tympanometry confirms reduced eardrum mobility, typically producing a flat result, and a hearing test measures the degree of hearing loss. As a rhinology subspecialist, he routinely performs nasal endoscopy in adults with persistent or one-sided effusion to inspect the nasopharynx, an important step that is easy to overlook.
Treatment options
Watchful waiting and medical care
- Monitoring with repeat examination and tympanometry, since much fluid clears in weeks to a few months
- Treating nasal allergy or sinusitis with sprays, saline rinses or medication
- Gentle autoinflation techniques, such as swallowing or the Valsalva maneuver, if advised
Procedures
If fluid persists for around three months, significantly affects hearing, or causes balance or eardrum changes, myringotomy can be performed. A tiny incision in the eardrum lets the fluid drain, and a small ventilation tube may be inserted to keep the middle ear aerated while the Eustachian tube recovers. In adults this can often be done under local anesthesia.
When to see an ENT
See an ENT if ear fullness or muffled hearing lasts more than a couple of weeks, especially in one ear. Seek prompt care for sudden hearing loss without obvious blockage, since sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a time-sensitive condition that can feel similar.
Seeing Dr. Kim in English
Dr. Kim, a former Yonsei and Ajou university professor, combines nose and ear assessment, which is particularly useful in glue ear. He treats all ENT conditions and discusses watchful waiting versus procedures in English. The clinic is near Gangnam-gu Office Station Exit 3-1; check our opening hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does fluid behind the eardrum last?
Many cases clear within weeks to about three months, particularly after a cold. Fluid that persists longer, or that significantly affects hearing, should be reassessed by an ENT and may be treated with myringotomy.
Why does my ear feel blocked after a cold?
A cold swells the lining of the nose and Eustachian tube, which stops air reaching the middle ear. Fluid can then collect behind the eardrum, causing fullness and muffled hearing. Treating nasal congestion often helps the ear recover.
Why would an ENT look in my nose for an ear problem?
The Eustachian tube opens into the back of the nose. Allergies, sinusitis, adenoids or, rarely, a nasopharyngeal mass can block it and cause fluid in the ear. Nasal endoscopy checks this area, especially in adults with one-sided fluid.
Your doctor
Dr. Kim Yoo Suk, MD
Board-certified otolaryngologist (ENT). Former clinical assistant professor at Yonsei University and assistant professor at Ajou University School of Medicine. Nose & sinus subspecialist who treats all ear, nose and throat conditions.
Consultations in English. Guide for international patients →
Visit us in Gangnam
2F HS Tower, 703 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Gangnam-gu Office Station (Line 7 / Suin-Bundang), Exit 3-1
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00–19:00
Wed 14:00–19:00 · Sat 9:00–14:00
Closed Sundays & public holidays
This page is general medical information written and reviewed by an ENT specialist. It is not a diagnosis. Symptoms differ between people — please see a doctor for an examination. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.