How do grommets help ear infections?
Grommets maintain normal middle ear pressure by allowing air into the middle ear, from the outside. This reduces the risk of fluid building up in that space. If your child does get an ear infection with grommets in place, pus can flow out through the grommet.
What are ear grommets?
A grommet is a small tube that’s placed in your child’s ear during surgery. It drains fluid away and keeps the eardrum open. The grommet should fall out naturally within 6 to 12 months as your child’s ear gets better.
Can you get ear infections with grommets?
One of the complications of grommets is ear infection, so it is best to keep the ears dry. Your child should avoid swimming for a week after the surgery and while the grommets are in place use earplugs when bathing, showering and swimming.
What to expect after grommets?
Your child’s ear may ooze or bleed for a day or two after the operation. This is normal and should stop within a few days. Your child may have mild earache, which is quite common.
What happens if you get water in your ear with grommets?
Once water reaches the middle ear it presents a risk for infection. As grommets are not a natural part of the body, they can sometimes develop a film of bacteria known as a “biofilm” which resides on the grommet. This may lead to recurrent discharge from the ear.
How long does it take to recover from grommets?
Grommets usually fall out naturally within 6 to 12 months, depending on the size, shape and material of the grommet. Regular ear checks will help monitor for when the grommets have fallen out. The hole in the eardrum will usually heal quickly after the grommet falls out.
Does speech improve after grommets?
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.
How are grommets used to treat middle ear infections?
Grommets are tiny tubes that can be inserted into the eardrums to treat conditions that affect the middle ear, such as recurrent middle ear infections and glue ear. Glue ear, also known as otitis media with effusion, is a persistent build-up of fluid in the middle ear that can cause hearing problems.
How long do grommets stay in the ear?
The grommet does the work that the poorly functioning Eustachian tube should be doing, giving the middle ear a chance to recover. Grommets cause no discomfort while in place. They usually fall out on their own in 6 to 12 months, leaving the drum intact. When are grommets used?
What to do when your child has Grommets in their ears?
Some children will have discharge from their ears after grommets have been inserted. This is not usually painful and is usually treated with ear drops. See your family doctor if this happens. If your child’s ear discharge continues, your family doctor may send your child to an ear nurse specialist or ENT specialist.
What kind of tubes do you use for ear infections?
When the adenoids become irritated and inflamed, the eustachian tubes can follow suit, thereby leading to fluid buildup and possible ear infections. During and after surgery, you’ll need to wear small tubes in your ears called grommets, commonly referred to as ear tubes or pressure equalizer tubes.
