In most cases the fluid in OME resolves on its own within 4 to 6 weeks, so acute treatment is not needed. Medications. In most cases, the middle ear fluid in OME is ...Skiptocontent OtitisMediawithEffusion(OME)ContactUs215-590-3440SecondOpinionsWhatisotitismediawitheffusion(OME)?Otitismediawitheffusion(OME)isacollectionofnon-infectedfluidinthemiddleearspace.Itisalsocalledserousorsecretoryotitismedia(SOM).Thisfluidmayaccumulateinthemiddleearasaresultofacold,sorethroatorupperrespiratoryinfection.OMEisusuallyself-limited,whichmeans,thefluidusuallyresolvesonitsownwithin4to6weeks.However,insomeinstancesthefluidmaypersistforalongerperiodoftimeandcauseatemporarydecreaseinhearingorthefluidmaybecomeinfected(acuteotitismedia).OMEismorecommoninchildrenbetween6monthsand3yearsofage,andaffectsmoreboysthangirls.Theconditionoccursmoreofteninthefallandwintermonthsandiscommonlyunderdiagnosedbecauseofitslackofacuteorobvioussymptoms(comparedtoacuteotitismedia(AOM).CausesOtitismediawitheffusionisusuallyaresultofpoorfunctionoftheeustachiantube,thecanalthatlinksthemiddleearwiththethroatarea.Theeustachiantubehelpstoequalizethepressurebetweentheairaroundyouandthemiddleear.Whenthistubeisnotworkingproperly,itpreventsnormaldrainageoffluidfromthemiddleear,causingabuildupoffluidbehindtheeardrum.Somereasonstheeustachiantubemaynotworkproperlyinclude:Animmatureeustachiantube,whichiscommoninyoungchildrenAninflammationoftheadenoidsAcoldorallergy,whichcanleadtoswellingandcongestionoftheliningofthenose,throatandeustachiantube(thisswellingpreventsthenormalflowofairandfluids)AmalformationoftheeustachiantubeWhileanychildmaydevelopOME,thefollowingaresomeofthefactorsthatmayincreaseyourchild'sriskofdevelopingOME:HavingacoldSpendingtimeinadaycaresettingBeingbottlefedwhilelyingonthebackBeingaroundsomeonewhosmokesAbsenceofbreastfeedingHistoryofearinfectionsCraniofacialabnormalities(e.g.cleftpalate)SignsandsymptomsWhilesignsofOMEcanvaryfromchildtochildandchangeinintensity,commonsymptomsinclude:Hearingdifficultie