What is fluid behind the eardrum?
Fluid behind the eardrum, also called otitis media with effusion, is a buildup of fluid in the middle ear behind the eardrum without symptoms of infection. The condition, sometimes called glue ear, often follows an ear infection, although it can occur without one. When swelling from a cold or allergy attack causes blockage of the eustachian tubes, air can’t reach the middle ear. The vacuum and suction created by the blockage pulls fluid into the middle ear and prevents this and other fluids from draining out of the middle ear. The fluid that builds up is called effusion.
