Otitis Media With Effusion

Otitis Media with Effusion (OME), also known as Serous Otitis Media (SOM), is the accumulation of sticky fluid in the

middle ear

that may result in difficulty hearing, ear pain or discomfort, dizziness, infection and

inflammation

.
OME is more common in children between 6 months and 3 years of age and affects more boys than girls. The condition occurs more often in the fall and winter months and is commonly underdiagnosed because of its lack of acute or obvious symptoms (compared to acute otitis media).
Symptoms

Difficulty hearing

  • In one ear, Both ears

common

Fever

  • Greater than or equal to 38°C (100.4°F), Less than 38°C (100.4°F)

Ear pain

Risk factors

Recent history of Otitis Media

Recent upper respiratory tract infection

or Inflammation of the nose caused by allergy

Family history of recurrent Otitis Media

Cleft lip and/or cleft palate

Treatment
OME is typically treated by draining the accumulated fluid and preventing future accumulation.
Recommended specialist

If you have Otitis Media With Effusion, then a visit to an ENT specialist is highly recommended.

Contact an

ENT specialist

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