Causes of Glue ear

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The cause of glue ear is not clear. It may be caused by viral or bacterial infection, by the production of unusually thick mucus, or by a problem with the Eustachian tubes.

Research has shown that children are more at risk of glue ear if they:

Are male,
Are exposed to tobacco smoke (passive smoking),
Are young (children most commonly develop glue ear at the age of two),
Were bottle fed as a baby,
Have a sibling who had glue ear,
Attend a day care centre, or
Have repeated colds and flu.

Glue ear is also more common in winter.