glue ear: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral/Technical (Medical)
Quick answer
What does “glue ear” mean?
A medical condition where thick, sticky fluid accumulates in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, often causing hearing loss.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical condition where thick, sticky fluid accumulates in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, often causing hearing loss.
Used informally to describe a feeling of blocked or muffled hearing, not necessarily the diagnosed medical condition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Glue ear' is the standard UK term. The US equivalent is 'otitis media with effusion' (OME). The term 'glue ear' is understood but less commonly used in American medical contexts.
Connotations
In the UK, it's a familiar, almost colloquial term for a common childhood ailment. In the US, it sounds slightly more informal and metaphorical compared to the clinical OME.
Frequency
Very frequent in UK parenting, educational, and general medical contexts. Low-to-medium frequency in US contexts, where OME is preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “glue ear” in a Sentence
[patient] has glue ear[patient] suffers from glue ear[patient] is diagnosed with glue earGlue ear causes [hearing loss]Glue ear is treated with [grommets]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glue ear” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The doctor said he might need to grommet his ears if they keep glue-earring.
- Her hearing has been glue-earing up again.
American English
- The pediatrician is concerned it might be OME, not just glue ear. (Verb form very rare in US)
adverb
British English
- He's hearing glue-earily. (Very informal/inventive)
American English
- (Not used)
adjective
British English
- He has a glue-ear problem.
- We're waiting for a glue-ear clinic appointment.
American English
- The child has a suspected glue-ear condition. (Less common) He shows signs of OME/glue ear.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in employee healthcare literature.
Academic
Used in medical, audiological, and pediatric research and literature, often alongside OME.
Everyday
Common in conversations about children's health, school issues, and doctor visits.
Technical
Standard term in UK audiology, ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) medicine, and general practice.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “glue ear”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “glue ear”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glue ear”
- Pronouncing it as 'glue-y ear'. It's 'glue ear' (two separate words).
- Using 'glue ear' to refer to an ear infection with pain and fever (that's acute otitis media).
- Capitalising it as 'Glue Ear' (not standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, glue ear (OME) is not typically an active infection. It is a buildup of non-infected, sticky fluid in the middle ear. An infected, painful middle ear is called acute otitis media.
It is very common in young children, especially between the ages of 2 and 5, because their Eustachian tubes are smaller and more horizontal.
Often, it resolves on its own (watchful waiting). If persistent, treatments can include autoinflation exercises, hearing aids, or a minor surgical procedure to insert grommets (tiny tubes) in the eardrum.
Yes, but it's less common. Adults can develop OME/glue ear, often due to allergies, sinus problems, or barotrauma (e.g., from flying).
A medical condition where thick, sticky fluid accumulates in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, often causing hearing loss.
Glue ear is usually neutral/technical (medical) in register.
Glue ear: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡluː ˈɪə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡlu ˈɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a fixed medical/popular term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a child's ear filled with sticky SCHOOL GLUE instead of air, making sounds muffled.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE EAR IS A CONTAINER (filled with glue). HEARING IS A CLEAR CHANNEL (blocked by sticky fluid).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the primary symptom of glue ear?