Please tell me all about grommets

[girlynut]

My DS1 will be 5 in June and has suffered from fluid in both ears for the past year. At his last hearing test before Christmas the hospital said there had been a slight improvement but there was still fluid on both sides. They suggested we come back in the summer for another test (when the weather has improved and there are less coughs and colds doing the rounds)

The consultant has said that we can have grommets fitted if we think it necessary.

DS1 is doing well at school and his reading and writing is excellent. He has made friends and has no problem with socialising.

However, he shouts a lot and often says "Pardon. I can't hear you." And I've although our family can understand him, sometimes he mumbles and I worry that his speech isn't as good as it should be.

I understand that grommets open the ear up so the fluid can drain away. But how long do they stay in for? Do they fall out by themselves? If they fall out, does that mean they've worked or do they have to be refitted? What about swimming?

I'd be grateful for any advice.

[hennipenni]

DD3 has had two sets of grommets. The first set stayed in for a year (and could be seen in her ear canal when she went for her pre op check for her second set!), the second only stayed in for approx 6 months but as she had her addenoids out the second time it seems to have done the trick and we've not had any further problems.

We chose the grommet route as she was really struggling with her hearing in nursery and was behind with her speach and nursery work, she struggled just listening to simple instructions as her hearing was so bad (bad enough to warrant hearing aids if we didn't go down the grommet route). The effect was remarkable until after they fell out and the glue returned. The second set worked well and we've not had any further problems. with regards to swimming she just carried on as normal although we did invest in ear buddies and a bandit to help keep her ears dry in the swimming pool. Hth

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

DD had her grommets fitted just before christmas. Her hearing has improved beyond anything. A bonus was the difference in speech too. She wears ear plugs and a band when she swims.

[twinmum2]

My DD aged 5 had hearing aids prescribed just before Christmas due to glue ear.Offered grommits too but preferred hearing aids as hopefully she'll outgrow glue ear in a couple of years. The difference in her hearing has been remarkable.

[leavingonajetplane]

Our GP prescribed a decongestant which cleared the latest case of glue ear for my son.

I was somewhat astonished this had never been mentioned or tried before at the hospital appointments with previous cases of glue ear for my son, and repeated grommets to solve same.

From googling I learnt its a "first response" treatment for glue ear.

Im no expert but it would seem worth enquiring about.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

I should add that my dd had been blowing balloons up with her nose following a good inhalation of saline for about 8 months before we went down the surgical road.
We are in Switzerland and grommets aren't first response.

[cleanandclothed]

Can people talk to me about them too? DS is 18months and has had non stop ear infections for nearly 3 months. We have a hospital appointment next week where I expect they will be discussed. Any questions I should ask/ things I should try first?