How common is glue ear in children?

Glue ear is a very common condition in children, particularly between 2-5 years of age. Because some children develop glue ear following a cold, it tends to be more common in the winter months. It is estimated that 1 in 5 children around the age of 2 years will be affected by glue ear, and around 8 out of 10 children will have experienced glue ear at least once before they reach their 10th birthday.