Glue Ear and Grommits - help..!

[Savvy2021]

Hello mummies,

My daughter is 3 years old and after a couple of bouts of ear infections has been diagnosed with glue ear in both ears and low hearing. I have the option to wait it out (not recommended by the doctor), antibiotics to prevent further infections but not help the hearing loss, or grommits (doctors recommendation)

are there any other mums here that have been given the same choices and what did you do? The thought of my lg having to have an operation is terrifying but I want to do what’s best for her 🥹

thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏼

My DD had them done when she was older than this. Both ears take less than 5 mins. No pain afterwards and her hearing was much improved.

Ds had grommets 3 times. It's a quick and easy operation, even for him who doesn't come out of the anaesthetic quickly (he's fine, just takes ages to be back on his feet)
I think it was the set he had when he was 3yo when he commented in autumn "the leaves didn't crunch last year" - they had, he just didn't hear it.

I'd take the grommets. They don't offer them easily, so if they are recommending them, they really do think they're the best.
With ds, I remember his GP commenting "grommets are what keeps consultants in BMWs", but he said ds needed them. And it made a bit difference, both in his hearing and reducing ear infections (20+ a year without them)

Grommets it’s such an easy operation and my daughters hearing improved rapidly after

I had 12 rounds of grommets as a kid, they really did help for a while. Worth it even if it’s scary.

My ds has grommets..wasn't diagnosed with poor hearing for ages because of COVID and it's affected his speech. I would get them asap.

I was similarly terrified and agonised over it for weeks, but the anaesthetic they give to children is very effective and light touch. The operation is quick and painless. My dd had hers in around 8am and she was discharged and bouncing around eating lunch in the Asda cafe at lunchtime!

Hi there – totally understand how overwhelming this must feel. You’re definitely not alone, and it sounds like you’re doing all the right things by weighing up your options and thinking about what’s best for your little girl.

I’m an audiologist and I often speak to parents in exactly this situation. Glue ear can be so tricky because sometimes it clears on its own, and other times it lingers and really affects hearing and development. At age 3, we start to think more seriously about intervention because it’s such a key window for speech, language, and social development.

Grommets are a common recommendation when glue ear is persistent and affecting hearing in both ears. It’s totally normal to feel anxious about the idea of surgery – even though it’s a short and low-risk procedure, it’s still a big emotional step for any parent. Some families do choose to try hearing aids instead (as a non-surgical option), especially if there’s a delay for surgery or they’re hoping the glue ear might still resolve.

If it helps at all, I’m running a webinar next week with a paediatric speech therapist all about glue ear – what it means, how it affects hearing and development, and what you can do while waiting or deciding on treatment. I’ll pop the details below in case it helps give you a bit more clarity or reassurance.

You’re doing a brilliant job – it’s not easy, but you’re not alone 💛

I had grommets aged 4 and it was a painless procedure, I actually quite enjoyed the day. I had to wait for two years after diagnosis thanks to Thatcher’s NHS and still have hearing damage from the consequences of the wait.
My daughter had grommets at the same age (delayed by COVID) and the difference was amazing. She was very delayed in language and caught up in about six weeks. The difference is instant; when you wake up after you can already hear properly.
Honestly, I would always follow the doctor’s opinion. The same doctor recommended grommets for my daughter and watchful waiting for my son and it was the correct decision for both.

Ds1 had grommets just before he started school. It was quick simple as and improved his hearing immediately. On the way home he said with astonishment, 'Mummy, What's that noise?'. He'd never heard the car engine before!

DH had grommets and it was the best thing. Before that DH couldn’t hear very well and called an apple a ‘dodop’ which we still sometimes use Try not to worry; it’s very common.