Info On Grommits??

Question

My son is 4 next week and for a while I'd noticed that he couldn't hear me, so I took him to the docs', who said he has fluid behind the ear drum and to go back in a month if he's still not hearing right. He mentioned grommits, which is something I vaguely remember hearing about when I was at school...but what is it all about?! My health visitor has arranaged for him to have a hearing test at the hospital in the meantime, so if anyone can tell me what this is likely to involve too, I'd be grateful.

Answer 1

Its a little tube that allows air into the middle ear meaning fluid wont block up behind the eardrum causing it to pop after too much pressure. Which is a good thing as it helps with ear infections which are really painfull. I had them loads when i was kid. It means a operation to insert the gromett and a night in hospital. The grommet comes out itself usually within 6 to 12 months.

Answer 2

Grommits

Answer 3

Hi,
My two sons had grommitts fitted and they were fine afterwards. It is a very common thing in children between 2 and 5. A build up of fluid behind the ear drum decreases their hearing ability and can be very worrying for parents. But don't worry, have the hearing test which wholly non-intrusive, and if they recommend grommitts then this involves a very minor procedure. Your child will be sedated and will sleep throught the whole process. Very small 'tubes' are positioned in the ear designed to release the pressure on the ear drum from the fluid. They will wake up and probably ask you why everyone is shouting. It can make that much difference to their heaing. The grommitts eventualy come out by themselves and the problem is solved. In very rare instances they may need it again. It is wonderful to see the look on yur kids face when he can hear things again and bliss for mum and dad not to have CBeebies at full volume!!!

H

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Info On Grommits??
My son is 4 next week and for a while I'd noticed that he couldn't hear me, so I took him to the docs', who said he has fluid behind the ear drum and to go back in a month if he's still not hearing right. He mentioned grommits, which is something I vaguely remember hearing about...

Answer 5

1. Fluid in the middle ear (glue ear ):

This is the commonest reason for grommet insertion. Glue ear is a frequent problem in young children, often related to frequent colds, ear infections and possibly allergy. The tube connecting the middle ear space with the back of the nose, the Eustachian tube, does not work as well in children as in adults. Blockage of the tube can occur if the lining of the tube is thickened by infection or allergy. Fresh air normally enters the middle ear via this tube in small amounts every time you swallow or yawn. If the tube becomes blocked this results in a negative air pressure behind the eardrum and the ear begins to feel blocked and uncomfortable, with a slight loss of hearing. If the blockage persists there is a build up of fluid in the middle ear. To begin with the fluid is thin and watery but becomes thicker, almost like jelly, over a period of months, hence the name ‘glue ear’.

Glue ear is more common in children under the age of 4-6 years and becomes less common in older children and adults. It is more common in the autumn and winter than the spring and summer. The fluid in the middle ear, behind the eardrum, causes hearing loss. The amount of hearing loss is about the same as putting earplugs into the ears or putting your fingers in your ears. There may also be some discomfort in the ears or shortlived ear pain, your child may have a tendency to shout or become withdrawn and there may be delay in speech development.

In many cases the fluid in the middle ear will clear up on its own without any treatment, but if the fluid is still present after a few months, surgical treatment in the form of grommet insertion may be offered at your child’s E.N.T. review appointment.

Answer 6

It's a very simple procedure. My daughter had it done right before she was 2. They put the child to sleep, make a tiny hole in the eardrum, and insert the plastic or steel "tube". The whole procedure takes about 10 minutes. Child wakes up, drinks some juice, and goes home. We were in and out of the hospital in 90 minutes.

As for the hearing test, they will sit your son in a small, soundproof booth. He'll put on headphones, and they will play a series of beeps. Your son will be instructed to raise his right or left hand, depending on which side he hears the beep. If he does have hearing damage, he might not hear some of the beeps.

Good luck.

Answer 7

I had them when I was younger. If I remember they are like small plastic cylinders that are put into your ears to widen the passage that allows the sound in. Eventually they can fall out once the ear (on the inside) is growing normally but I think sometimes they have to be removed.

Apologies for the not very scientific explanation, I was only 4 myself at the time.

Answer 8

both my boy's had grommets and their ears probed they were profoundly deaf so the specialist said ,they went to great ormand street for a small operation they were only in two days never had any trouble since...

Answer 9

I believe its a hole made to allow the fluid to drain off the ear drum, and later its repaired.