how much difference did having grommets make?

[verybusyspider]

ds1 is 4.5 years and having grommets on friday - he's been on the 'school alert' system since preschool for his behaviour - not shouting, screaming, kicking but quirky ways, definant, refusal to do tasks, perfectionist and not socialising well (I've obviously summed it up v briefly there and we don't see the same behaviour at home to the extend school do but traces of it)
anyway I'm wondering how much difference grommets will make - we've known he has had hearing difficulties for over a year now (maybe longer?) he's not had severe speach and language difficultly but we have always used baby signing (and still do with ds3)

anyway what were your experiences of a child who had them done in reception year? several children in ds's class have had it done but all v early in preschool

My DD had hers done when she was 8. The difference in her behaviour was undeniable. Prior to the grommets, she would just arse about in class, post surgery she actually listened to what the teacher said.
Her hearing loss was quite severe and picked up by the school nurse .
I hope someone comes along with experience of a child whose age is the same as yours.

I had them when I was 4. Made a world of difference to me apparently, as I couldn't really hear what was going on well before.

thanks, dh and I have been trying to get this sorted since preschool but told to do 'watchful waiting' since his speech was ok, and it might get better - the past year its got worse in every test he's had.
At the pre op last week the play specialist asked if there was anything he was worried about about coming to hospital, ds said he was excited to get rid of the squeaks in his head that we haven't got this sorted earlier.

Thanks for your experience, I'm hopefull it will help
kreecher interesting ds doesn't listen he just takes himself off to look at books and disengages from whatever activity is happening
stewie ds hasn't had more than about 2 ear infections - no 'classic' indications of ear problems.... what kind of difference did it make to your dd?

bump - having them done tomorrow

My DS8 had them 2 years ago, and am so glad he did, as he has come on leaps and bounds academically, and the teachers said at the time his behaviour got better!! TBH I think teachers thought he was ignoring them but he actually couldnt hear them (he had grommets fitted days after his hearing test)

The op was simple and fast, he loved the fuss at the hospital and all the PS games etc. He was back at school the very next day!!

Good luck tomo

dd1 had them two weeks before her 5th birthday. worked a real treat for her- an undeniable difference in her hearing ever since (this was last summer). her spelling improved lots as she can hear better how words are formed.

I had them. Huge difference. Can hear, couldn't hear anything other than high pitched or shouts til then

My dd1 had grommets fitted about 2 months after starting reception aged 4.8. She used to come out of school looking a bit bewildered and often went into a little world of her own. She also used to show lots of "silly" behaviour - prancing, hopping and dancing about, not stopping when asked, running off in the street etc.

After the grommets were fitted a lot of those behaviours changed instantly. She seemed more engaged by school and seemed to feel more included. The bewildered look disappeared and was replaced by a happy child at the end of the day. She was also less tired, as I think, she hadn't had to concentrate so hard just to keep up with what was going on.
She's now half way through year 1 and the grommets have fallen out. I think her hearing is down a bit again, but probably not as bad as it used to be. We have an appt in a couple of weeks and if they recommend more grommets I would definitely do it again. (Hope we don't have to though!)

Good luck for tomorrow. The operation is quick. The general anaesthetic is horrible, but worse for you than for the child I reckon. Hope your ds recovers quickly. DD had her adenoids out as well but was still bouncing around as though nothing had happened a few hours after!

my dd had them 1st week in school after a year to 18 months of not hearing that well and always being really snotty, i was so nervous and worried but the results where instant, and it was worth it and dd got spoiled rotten. even dd commented on how she could hear her own breathing etc, her hearing is now 100% got some really good mouldable gel,putty ear plugs from boots that you can rip to size. her snotty nose is much better as they took her adanoids out too, just hoping they stay in long enough so she doesnt have to have them done again.

well all done and dusted today and already complaining that ds3 crys and shouts too loud - which he does but its no different than before
I'm hoping it makes a difference all round, thanks for sharing you experiences

well done, i hope it helps too x

I was going to post but 'runoutofideas' said exactly the same as happened with my dd2. dd1 and 3 had them done early - would definitely recommend. glad it went well and hope you see an improvement quickly.

Well I think its made a world of difference to ds too - yesterday he had an amazing day , teacher was unsure whether it was due to the distraction of having pets in the class but he did actually take part in learning yesterday usually he refuses so has been having a lot of home work to prove he can read and write! I'm just hoping it contuinues so they can see that it was down to his hearing - if only they'd stop nagging him about becoming absorbed by books all the time, surely there are worse things a child could be doing!