Grommets for glue ear

Need to know

• What happens icon plus

  Grommet insertion involves a short operation called myringotomy. It can be carried out under local anaesthetic (which blocks pain in the area) or general anaesthetic (where you'll be asleep). And it's usually done as a day-case procedure. Your surgeon will make a small opening in the eardrum and remove the fluid from the ear. The surgeon will then place a grommet into the opening. The procedure usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes in a dedicated ear, nose and throat unit.

• How to prepare icon plus

  Your consultant will explain how to prepare and what will happen when the grommets are inserted.

• Afterwards icon plus

  You or your child should be able to go back to normal one or two days after the grommet operation. Within a few weeks, you or your child will be able to go swimming. Flying is not a problem with grommets. Your consultant will arrange a hearing test in the first few weeks following surgery to confirm that hearing has improved. They'll schedule follow-up hearing tests every few months until the grommets fall out. Usually the grommets will fall out naturally after six months to a year.