Grommets for glue ear
Having grommets fitted is a minor operation that is an effective treatment for glue ear and for improving your hearing.
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What is it for?
For the treatment of glue ear
Treatment overview
At The London Clinic, we offer surgery to fit grommets. The procedure is performed by one of our surgeons who specialise in the treatment of conditions affecting your ear, nose or throat.
In most cases, having grommets fitted is a minor operation that takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
This means you will have them fitted and be able to leave the hospital on the same day.
The procedure is usually done under general anaesthetic, so you won’t be conscious during the operation.
Typically, you won’t be allowed to eat or drink for a few hours before the operation.
During the operation, your surgeon will make a small incision into your eardrum before inserting a small tube to draw out the fluid that has collected.
Once this is done, they will fit a grommet into one or both ears, if both are affected.
After this has been done, your surgeon may apply steroid eardrops into the ear to prevent swelling and infection.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have finance options available with Chrysalis
FAQs
Once you’ve woken up from the operation, you’ll need to rest for a few hours while the effects of the anaesthetic pass.
Side effects to the operation are usually mild and can include slight earache and bloodstained discharge from your ear which your doctor may prescribe painkillers to help you cope with.
You’ll also be given advice for caring for your ears, and will usually be asked to come back so that the doctor can check that the operation was successful.
You should stay at home for a day or two after the operation so that you can avoid coming into contact with germs that may cause coughs or colds.
Your doctor will usually advise you to avoid immersing your head in water for at least two weeks after the procedure.
After that period, you’ll usually be recommended to wear earplugs if you have a bath or go swimming.
Once your grommets have been fitted, they will usually fall out of your ear after around 6 to 12 months.
The hole in the eardrum that has been made for the grommet heals naturally very quickly once the grommet has fallen out.
Occasionally you may need more than one set of grommets to be fitted if you have recurring bouts of glue ear.