Overview
When the Eustachian tube fails to ventilate the middle ear properly, fluid collects behind the eardrum — glue ear. The fluid muffles hearing and slows speech development in children. A grommet bypasses the failing tube by giving the middle ear a direct route to the outside air.
The tube stays in place for 6–18 months, then falls out on its own as the eardrum gradually pushes it outward. By that time, most children have grown out of the underlying problem.
When This Surgery Is Recommended
- Persistent glue ear (otitis media with effusion) beyond 3 months
- Hearing loss affecting speech and learning in young children
- Recurrent acute middle-ear infections — three in six months or four in a year
- Adults with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Sometimes combined with adenoidectomy in young children
The Procedure
A quick day-care procedure under general anaesthesia in children. In cooperative adults it can be done in clinic under local.
- The ear canal is gently cleaned under the microscope
- A small slit is made in the eardrum
- Fluid is suctioned from behind the eardrum
- A grommet is positioned in the slit
- No stitches are needed — the eardrum holds the tube in place
Pre-Surgery Preparations
- Fast 6 hours pre-op (longer for infants — follow the anaesthetist's exact instructions)
- Inform the team about colds, fever, or antibiotics taken in the past week
- Continue regular asthma or seizure medication unless told otherwise
- Bring previous audiograms, ENT records, and the child's vaccination card
- Comfortable change of clothes; a favourite soft toy for reassurance
- One parent stays with the child throughout admission and discharge
Post-Surgery Recovery
- Discharge home within an hour or two of waking
- Hearing improves immediately for most children
- Mild blood-stained ooze for a day is normal
- Keep the ears dry with a cotton-wool and Vaseline plug for hair washes
- School in 1–2 days; swimming after the surgeon clears it
Follow-up Schedule
- Day 1 — ear inspected before discharge; brief hearing check in older children
- Week 1 — clinic review of grommet position and any discharge
- Week 6 — first formal audiogram
- 3 months — routine review of tube patency
- 6 and 12 months — monitoring until the tube extrudes naturally
Potential Complications
- Early grommet extrusion (the tube falls out sooner than ideal)
- Persistent ear discharge needing drops for 5–7 days
- A small residual perforation when the tube falls out (usually heals)
- Mild scarring of the eardrum at the insertion site
At Dr. Naseer's ENT, most families notice the difference within days — children turn to their names again, ask for the TV to be turned down, and start picking up words they were missing.
Why Have It Here
Grommet surgery is precision microsurgery on small ears. We use age-appropriate paediatric instruments, run a routine hearing test before discharge in older children, and counsel families on expected milestones at follow-up.
In-house surgical practice · Dr. Naseer's ENT