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Grommets
Also called an ear ventilation tube
Key points about grommets
- Grommets are tiny plastic tubes inserted into your child's the eardrum in a short operation.
- A healthcare provider may recommend grommets if your child has frequent ear infections or glue ear (fluid in the middle that hasn't cleared away).
- Grommets allow air into the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum), which allows the eardrum to move freely, improving hearing.
- The content on this page comes from KidsHealth(external link).
Grommets are often used for children who have glue ear or lots of ear infections.
Grommets are also called tympanostomy or ventilation tubes. They are tiny plastic tubes which are inserted into a small slit in your child's eardrum in a short operation.
Image credit: Healthify He Puna Waiora
They will need to have a general anaesthetic but won't need to stay the night in hospital. The surgery usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Grommets allow air into the middle ear from the outside. This helps to keep normal middle ear pressure and reduces the risk of fluid building up in that space. Most grommets stay in place for about 9 to 18 months and usually come out by themselves.
Parents often report a better quality of life for their tamariki after grommet insertion with better sleeping, learning at school and overall behaviour.
To learn more about grommets, go to KidsHealth.(external link)
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Credits: Content shared between HealthInfo Canterbury, KidsHealth and Healthify He Puna Waiora as part of a National Health Content Hub Collaborative.
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