Grommets

Grommets are most commonly inserted to treat fluid in the middle ear (glue ear) or prevent recurrent middle ear infections (recurrent acute otitis media). They may also be inserted due to speech and hearing problems in your child. Grommets are small hollow plastic tubes. They are inserted in the ear drum (tympanic membrane) to allow air into the middle ear and prevent build up of fluid.  In children this build up typically arises because the tube (Eustachian tube) connecting the ear and nose isn’t working properly.

The surgery typically involves a general anaesthetic but sometimes may be done in the office under local anaesthetic. A small cut is made in the ear drum and fluid suctioned out. The grommet is then inserted.

Depending on the type of grommet used they stay in the ear drum anywhere from 6-12 months. Occasionally they may be pushed out prematurely. The ear drum with time will push the grommet out and no further procedure is required. Rarely the grommet may need to be removed or especially in kids they may require further sets of grommets in the future if the Eustachian tube still hasn’t started to work.

Grommet surgery is a day procedure and patients can go home when they have recovered. It is uncommon to have significant pain after grommet surgery. It is important to realize that once they are inserted, a pathway between the external environment and middle ear has been created. Therefore prevention of water exposure is important including during bathing, swimming or hair washing. Keeping water out of the ear canal with plugs, blue tac, ear wraps and swimming caps is important.