Grommets

[toolly]

DS (5) is due to have them fitted next month because of persistent glue ear. His hearing is slightly below par because of it. I know hearing is very important but I am now getting really worried about the operation (risk of having a GA). Will glue ear right itself eventually? I just have a bad feeling about putting him through an unnecessary operation if he doesn't really need it.
Thanks

[busybutterfly]

Both my DS had this op before they started school - best thing ever. Yes, hearing is really important and getting to school and being able to hear everything the teacher's saying and all the conversations in class has made the world of difference.
They're not under the GA for long, DS2 was running around in the hospital playground an hour after the op.
Be strong!

[Runoutofideas]

I understand exactly how you feel. We are in the same position with dd (4). Her hearing is terrible at the moment as she has a cold but it does get a bit better when the colds dry up. She's permanently really congested though. We are waiting to see if her teacher thinks it's causing problems at school.....think we're going to have to bite the bullet though.....

[apostropheisback]

grommets transformed DS1's communication skills and made him a generally happier child. He's able to pick out the speech in a noisy environment without straining to concentrate, he can locate the source of sound when his friends shout across the playground and his speech has improved no end.

The whole GA thing is worrying - and it worried me. But within 2 and a half hours of him having surgery he was bouncing round the local cafe asking if he could have extra cake for being brave.

[emkana]

I was crying about hte GA and really worried but so glad we had the grommets done, it has made such a difference to ds's speech and communication and general happiness.

[hatchypom]

my little one has had a GA a couple of times, second time around we made sure she kept her teddy bear with her and could have it asap in recovery (before we were allowed in) - made all the difference.

[Sunshine78]

my dd had it done when she was 2.5 - changed her over night from a little girl who had lots of tantrums was clingy to a very happy confident child who finally started to talk!

Was heart breaking holding her while she tried to fight the GA and was on tenderhooks the whole time she was in surgery but it really was fine - just think how many GA's are performed each day and how few problems there are.

My dd was very grumpy when she first woke but they just kept on pumping drugs into her till she settled and so was obviously not in pain - she actually had her best nights sleep in ages!

Just a word of warning though afterwards she was very sensitive to loud noises and still is 4mths later some times