What age can a child get grommets?

Ear grommet placement is most commonly needed from the age of one to three years.

How long do grommets last in children?

It usually stays in place for six to 12 months and then falls out. This is normal and won’t affect your child.

Why do kids get grommets in their ears?

Grommets are usually inserted to treat ‘glue ear’ (fluid in the middle ear) or prevent recurrent otitis media (middle ear infection). A grommet is a small ventilation tube inserted into the eardrum to allow air into the middle ear and prevent a build-up of fluid.

What are the side effects of grommets?

Occasionally the body reacts to the presence of a grommet and the area becomes inflamed and may discharge. If this happens the grommet will have to be taken out. Sometimes the eardrum may become hardened and calcified. Other rare adverse events include hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness.

How do you know if a child needs grommets?

When might my child need grommets?

• glue ear for more than 3 months, depending on the degree of hearing loss.
• 6 acute ear infections in one year, especially if the infections have occurred in both ears.
• repeat infections through the summer months, when such infections should be less likely to happen.

Can a 2 year old have grommets?

That’s why it’s not usually recommended for children under three years old . A grommet is a thin tube that’s inserted into the ear. It allows air to pass through the eardrum, which often helps to improve hearing .

Can a child go swimming with grommets?

Can my child swim with grommets in? Your child can start swimming about a month after the operation, as long as they don’t dive under the water. You do not necessarily need to use earplugs – the hole in the grommet is too small to let water through.

Is grommet surgery painful?

Most patients do not experience pain. Mild discomfort can be controlled with simple pain medication, such as common over-the-counter analgaesics (e.g. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen).

Is it painful to have grommets fitted?

Grommets are not usually sore at all. You can give your child simple painkillers (e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen) if you need to. Grommets should improve your child’s hearing straight away. Some children think everything sounds too loud until they get used to having normal hearing again.

Is there an alternative to grommets?

Auto-inflation balloons may be used to try and force air up the tube that links the middle ear to the back of the throat (eustachian tube) to help ventilate the area. It can be hard to get children to persist with this. Hearing aids can be worn to improve hearing until the glue ear resolves.

How long does it take to recover from grommet surgery?

Return to normal activity You/or your child will require 1 – 2 days/weeks off work/school to allow a full recovery. You/or your child should avoid swimming pool activities/lessons until the postoperative appointment with your MEG ENT Specialist.

Will grommets help my child to talk?

Yes many children do improve after grommets are inserted but even with this improvement we also know that most of these children don’t develop “normal” speech and language skills without some assistance.

Should I put grommets on my child’s ear?

Your child’s doctor may recommend grommets for glue ear that won’t clear up or for frequent ear infections. They are more likely to recommend grommets if your child has had: 6 acute ear infections in one year, especially if the infections have occurred in both ears

What are the benefits of ear grommets?

grommets allow air into the middle ear (the space behind the ear drum) which reduces the risk of fluid building up there You might find it helpful to check the information on ear infections and glue ear first.

When might my child need grommets?

Most grommets stay in place for about 6 to 18 months and fall out by themselves. When might my child need grommets? Your child’s doctor may recommend grommets for glue ear that won’t clear up or for frequent ear infections.

What are grommets?

What are grommets? Grommets are very small plastic tubes, which sit in a hole in the eardrum. They let air get in and out of the ear. This keeps the ear healthy