GROMMETS

Grommets (middle-ear ventilation tubes)
Grommets are small tubes (ventilating tubes) that are placed in the eardrum to help treat recurrent otitis media and glue ear. Grommets allow air to flow into the middle ear, restoring an equal air pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere.

Consultation
Treatment decisions will be determined by inspecting the eardrum, an audiogram (hearing test) may be used to test the patients ability to hear sounds at different pitches.

Procedure
Grommet insertion is completed under general anaesthetic for children and can be done with local anaesthetic for adults.

Looking through a operating microscope a small incision is made in the eardrum, the grommet is placed into the eardrum incision.

What to expect
The grommet placement is a day stay procedure usually taking approximately 20-30 minutes.

Children can return to school the day after surgery.

Post Procedure:
Ear discharge due to infection may occur however will typically clear quickly with antibiotic treatment. Recurrence of glue ear or otitis media may occur once the grommet is removed some children may require a second grommet may need to be inserted.