Serous Otitis Media: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Serous Otitis Media is a medical condition where the middle ear becomes filled with non infected fluid causing pressure buildup in the middle ear. This condition is common in small children and gives rise to symptoms like decreased hearing, pain, loss of balance, etc. The condition is usually resolved in a few weeks. However, the accumulated fluid may stay for a longer duration and become infected giving rise to acute otitis media.

Otitis media is caused by the improper functioning of the Eustachian tube, leading to improper drainage of fluids accumulated in the middle ear. Eustachian tube malfunctioning can occur due to improper formation of the Eustachian tube, cold or allergy causing congestion, tonsil inflammation, etc. Children have a higher risk of developing otitis media if they have frequent colds, are not breastfed, have had ear infection, have been exposed to second hand smoke, or have craniofacial malformations. There is a bit of difference in terms of the Eustachian tube when it comes to adults and children- the Eustachian tube in children is shorter than that of in adults and is also more levelled making it extremely easy for the fluid to drain. The condition is common among infants and toddlers and is more prevalent among boys than girls.

Once diagnosed, treatment for serous otitis media depends on the severity of the impacts of the condition.

Serous Otitis Media is usually resolved on its own within four to six weeks. Medications or other treatment options are usually are not required unless the fluid becomes infected. If the condition persists for longer than six weeks, the fluid may become infected and cause secondary health issues. Antibiotic treatment is prescribed at this stage to deal with infections. If fluid accumulation and hearing loss persists for longer than two to three months, speech and learning disabilities arise due to persistent hearing difficulty. This is tackled by a surgical treatment procedure called myringotomy. In this procedure, small incisions are made on the eardrum to drain the accumulated fluid out. Small tubes are placed through the incisions to equalize air pressure between the middle ear and the outside and prevent further accumulation of fluids. Draining out the fluids completely leads to restoration of hearing and the tubes fall out by themselves in 6 to 12 months, making myringotomy a completely safe procedure. If the accumulated fluid is infected and infection spreads to the adenoid glands, surgical removal of the adenoid glands may also be prescribed.

Serous Otitis Media is usually resolved by itself within 4 to 6 weeks. Treatment is required if the fluid accumulation and hearing impairment persists for longer than six weeks or the accumulated fluid becomes infected.

The condition is generally resolved by itself within four to six weeks. Treatment is not required in these cases.

Very few side effects are associated with treatment for serous otitis media. Complications may develop if left untreated, including hearing loss, speech impairment, infection spreading to inner ear or adenoid glands, etc.

There are no specific post treatment guidelines for serous otitis media.

Complete recovery from successful medication based treatments occurs in about four to six weeks. Complete recovery from successful surgical treatment takes place in 6 to 12 months after treatment.

Cost of treatment for serous otitis media in India ranges between Rs. 500 and Rs. 10,000, and may go up higher if complications develop.

Results of successful treatment are permanent.

There are no alternative treatment methods for serous otitis media.