Grommets insertion (glue ear treatment)

At Sussex Premier Health, you will have a formal consultation with a consultant who specialises in this area. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

Your consultant may will examine your ears and will be able to recommend any treatment options.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

Grommets can be fitted under general anaesthesia which means that you will be asleep during the procedure. They can also be fitted  under local anaesthesia, this completely numbs the area but you will still be awake.

During the operation the surgeon will look at the eardrum under a microscope. He or she will make a tiny cut (about 2mm) in the eardrum and use a fine sucker to draw out some of the fluid that has built up.

The grommet is then inserted into the hole. This lets air pass into the ear and allows the fluid to drain. Sometimes ear drops containing an antibiotic and a steroid are put into the ear to help prevent infection.

Both ears can be treated during the same operation which usually lasts up to 20 minutes.

Grommets are usually fitted as a day-case or outpatient, so you will not need to stay in hospital overnight.

After the procedure, you will be taken from the operating theatre to a recovery room where you will come round from the anaesthesia under close supervision.

After this you will be taken to your private room or comfortable area where you can rest and recuperate until we feel you’re ready to go home.

There may be a little blood-stained discharge from the ear but this is quite normal.

After glue ear treatment we will provide you with a course of antibiotic ear drops to reduce the risk of infection. Your consultant will usually want to see you for a follow up consultation about six weeks after surgery.

With the grommets in place the fluid in the eardrum will usually clear up. The body will naturally push the grommet out into the ear tube as the eardrum heals usually over a period of six to 12 months.

Sometimes the grommet does not come out by itself and has to be removed with another small operation. By the time the grommet has fallen out the glue ear has usually gone away. The hole where the grommet was inserted will usually close up.

In a few cases the hole does not seal up. This can be treated with another operation. When the grommet comes out there may be a small scar left on the eardrum but this usually has no effect on hearing.