WHAT IS A GROMMET? Information Leaflet. Your Health. Our Priority. Tree House Children s Unit Stepping Hill Hospital

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1 WHAT IS A GROMMET? Information Leaflet Your Health. Our Priority.

2 Page 2 of 5 What is a Grommet? A grommet is a tiny plastic hollow tube, which is placed in the eardrum to help ventilate the middle ear. There are different types of grommet but most of them will come out on their own after a few months but some stay in the ear drum for up to 18 months. Why are they needed? They are needed to do what nature intended, to allow air into the middle ear. The ear is made up in three parts. The outer ear is the part you can see and gathers sound, the middle ear is a space which is connected to the back of the nose by a tube called the Eustachian tube. The inner ear is deeper in the head and lets us recognise sounds and helps us to stay balanced. The outer ear tube runs down to the eardrum (this is thin skin which stretches across the ear tube to separate the outer and middle ear). If the Eustachian tube is blocked, the middle ear cannot ventilate properly which causes hearing loss, this is commonly known as glue ear and this may also cause infections. The grommet will help to dry out the middle ear so your child can hear properly. How are grommets put in? Whilst your child is asleep the surgeon will make a small hole in your child s ear drum (this is called a Myringotomy), and suck off the fluid with a fine tube, then the grommet will be put in. If the tube was not put in, the hole would heal on its own. Grommets may be put in one or both ears. After they are removed or fall out, 98% will heal quickly.

3 Page 3 of 5 What are the benefits of treatment? Your child s hearing should improve immediately. Children who have been held back by poor hearing will benefit. Are there any risks involved? Grommets do not cause any harm by themselves. Some children will need grommets to be put in more than once. What happens when my child comes into hospital? You may stay with your child. Your child must not eat, drink or chew gum before the operation (you will be given instructions in pre-op clinic). Your nurse will prepare you and your child for surgery, tell you what to expect after the operation, about pain relief and answer any questions. In clinic, you will have been asked to sign a consent form to say you agree to and understand the surgery; you will also have a chance to see the doctor before surgery on the day if you are not sure about anything. An anaesthetist will also see you before surgery to check your child is well. You may go with your child to the anaesthetic room. What happens after surgery? You may come with the nurse to pick your child up from theatre. Your child will be nursed on the bed until they are fully awake. The nurse will check and record your child s condition. Pain relief will be given if they have earache. Your nurse will offer your child a drink and something to eat as soon as they feel well enough. Most children feel well enough to play very quickly. What about going home? Grommets are done as a day case. When ready to go home your child will: Be awake and alert. Have eaten and drunk. Have passed urine. Have any take home medicines given and explained to you. Some children will require ear drops. Need to go home by car or taxi (not public transport). Your child may feel tired for the first 24 hours after the anaesthetic.

4 Page 4 of 5 What about pain? Your child may complain of earache for the first couple of days, usually Paracetamol will be enough to control any discomfort. (Always follow the instructions on the bottle or ask the nurse for advice before you leave the ward.) Please buy some Paracetamol ready for when you go home. What about caring for the grommets? Because the grommet is an open tube, it is easy for water to get in if care is not taken. This may lead to ear ache and an infection. To help prevent this: Do not let your child put their head under water whilst swimming or bathing. Put cotton wool coated in Vaseline in the ear to protect them when washing hair. (Make sure the cotton wool is not small enough to get stuck in the ear.) When swimming, use ear plugs which are secure and a bathing hat if your child is likely to get water in their ears. Continue to protect the ear either until you have been seen in clinic or advised that the Grommets have come out, or have seen the Grommet when it has fallen out. There is no problem travelling in an aeroplane. Never put cotton buds into the ear. What about going back to school/nursery? Your child should be fit to go back to school the second day after the operation. When should I speak help? You should take your child to see a doctor or contact the ward on /2158 for advice if: He/she is suffering from ear ache, which does not settle with paracetamol. He/she has a runny ear that lasts more than 48 hours; this may be caused by an infection and would need antibiotic drops. He/she continues to complain of deafness. When will my child see the doctor again? Usually a follow up appointment is sent to you in the post for between 3-8 months. If you do not receive an appointment contact the ward If you have any concerns before then please do not hesitate to contact your GP or the ward for advice. What if the grommets do not come out? In the unlikely event the Grommets need to be removed your child will be prepared for surgery as before. Once removed, the hole usually heals quickly. It is advisable to continue to protect the ear from water for two weeks unless your surgeon tells you differently.

5 Page 5 of 5 If you would like this leaflet in a different format, for example, in large print, or on audiotape, or for people with learning disabilities, please contact: Patient and Customer Services, Poplar Suite, Stepping Hill Hospital. Tel: PCS@stockport.nhs.uk. Our smoke free policy Smoking is not allowed anywhere on our sites. Please read our leaflet 'Policy on Smoke Free NHS Premises' to find out more. Leaflet number PAED40 Publication date April 2016 Review date April 2018 Department Tree House Children s Unit Location Stepping Hill Hospital