A grommet is a small tube placed in your eardrum to help drain fluid build-up from your middle ear. Grommets are commonly used to treat conditions like persistent glue ear, recurrent ear infections, and hearing loss linked to fluid in your middle ear. A grommet usually stays in your ear for between six and 12 months, until it falls out as your ear naturally heals.
Grommet insertion is a common type of minor ear surgery with a low risk of complications. It is usually performed as a day-case procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. At Ramsay, we provide fast access to private grommet surgery performed by a named, experienced ENT surgeon.
Here we’ll explain what grommet surgery involves, how quickly people typically recover, and what to expect from grommet insertion with Ramsay Health Care. Book an appointment now
Ear grommets, also called tympanostomy or ventilation tubes, are small tubes placed in a hole made in your eardrum. They’re usually about 2 or 3 mm wide, and can be made from plastic, fluoroplastic, silicone, or metal.
Grommets are inserted to help ventilate your middle ear (an air-filled space directly behind your eardrum). They provide a small passage to let air into the middle ear and to let fluid drain out of it, equalising pressure in your ear.
Ear grommets are typically used to treat conditions that cause fluid to build up in your middle ear, like glue ear and ear infections. These conditions can be painful and can interfere with your hearing.
Ear grommets are inserted to treat middle-ear problems, usually by draining fluid that’s accumulated there. Most often to help with issues that keep recurring, including:
Fluid building up in the middle ear can be uncomfortable and even painful. It can affect your balance and can cause varying amounts of hearing loss.
If you have an issue with fluid accumulating in your middle ear, particularly a persistent or recurring problem, a Ramsay ENT consultant can assess your symptoms and discuss whether grommet insertion may be an appropriate treatment for you. Find out more about diagnosing and treating ear problems with Ramsay Health Care.
Grommet insertion is a type of minor ear surgery. In most cases, it’s carried out as a day-case procedure, meaning you won’t need to stay in hospital overnight and can go home the same day.
You’ll be given anaesthesia before the procedure. This might be a local anaesthetic to numb your ear or a general anaesthetic that puts you to sleep. Your ENT surgeon will discuss the most suitable option with you before your treatment.
During the operation, your surgeon will make a small incision (a myringotomy) in your eardrum. They will suction out any fluid that’s built up in your middle ear, then place the grommet into the incision.
Grommet surgery is quick, usually taking around 10 to 20 minutes to perform. You’ll be able to leave and go home once your consultant and care team are happy that you’ve recovered sufficiently from the anaesthetic.
Most adults can go home on the same day as their grommet surgery. It’s a good idea to arrange transport to get home. You won’t be able to drive for 24 hours if you’ve had general anaesthesia.
You may experience some mild, short-lived symptoms while your ear settles. These include slight discomfort or pain, a popping sensation, or temporary changes to your hearing. These symptoms are normal after the procedure and will settle as your ear recovers. If you have ear pain, it can typically be well managed with over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Many people can return to their usual activities within a day or two of the procedure, although your consultant will advise you based on your individual circumstances.
You’ll need to keep water out of your ear for a period after your grommet insertion, including when showering. You should also avoid activities like swimming during this time. Once your consultant confirms your ear has healed, you can usually return to swimming, though it’s generally advised to avoid diving or swimming underwater to reduce the risk of water passing through the grommet.
Our care team can explain how to place cotton wool coated with Vaseline in your ear when showering, and what other aftercare steps to take. Your ENT consultant will tell you how long you’ll need to take these precautions for - usually just a couple of weeks.
After the ear grommet is inserted, the fluid in your middle ear will usually clear up quickly. As your eardrum heals, the grommet will be naturally pushed out and will eventually drop out of your ear after six to 12 months. You may not even notice when it falls out. Sometimes this doesn’t happen, and the grommet may need to be removed with another small operation.
The cost of grommet insertion surgery at Ramsay Health Care will depend on your individual situation and your chosen Ramsay hospital. After a consultation with one of our ENT surgeons, we’ll provide you with a personalised quote for your grommet surgery. This will be valid for up to 60 days and will include unlimited aftercare.
You can choose from a range of payment options, including:
Have your grommet surgery with Ramsay for fast access to expert, patient-focused care. Your grommet insertion procedure will be carried out by a specialist ENT surgeon, supported by an experienced healthcare team in a modern medical setting. You can choose which Ramsay hospital to have your operation at, and we’ll arrange your appointments and surgery at a time that suits you.
Here’s what you can expect:
Ear grommets are very small tubes that can be inserted into the eardrum to drain fluid and equalise pressure in the middle ear (the part of the ear behind the eardrum). They’re commonly used to treat a range of middle ear problems, especially recurring issues, such as glue ear and persistent fluid build-up.
Grommets typically stay in place for around six to 12 months before falling out naturally. In some cases, patients may need their grommets surgically removed, but it’s a minor procedure. A small number of patients may need ear grommets inserted again if their symptoms return.
Yes, adults can have grommets fitted. Ear grommets are a standard treatment for both children and adults with recurrent middle ear issues, like glue ear or Eustachian tube dysfunction. Grommets for children and adults are essentially the same, though the size may be adjusted to suit individual ear anatomy.
Grommet insertion is performed under anaesthesia (either local or general), so the procedure itself won’t be painful. You may experience mild discomfort and some pain for a short period afterwards. This can typically be well managed with over-the-counter painkillers and usually passes quickly.
Grommet surgery prices will vary from patient to patient. After a consultation with Ramsay, we provide a personalised quote for grommet surgery. This will be valid for up to 60 days. We offer a range of ways to pay for your procedure, including self-pay, insured pay, or 0% finance options to help you spread the cost of your treatment.
Mr Mudit Jindal
ENT
Mr Mudit Jindal is a Consultant ENT in Stourbridge and the West Midlands
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Mr Neil Charles Molony
ENT
Mr Neil Charles Molony is a Consultant ENT Surgeon in the West Midlands and Stourbridge
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