Grommets

**Misschief** · 09-02-2011 10:11

Hi everyone.

Just wondering if anyone else has a DS/DD with grommets? The ENT is considering putting grommets in my 14 month old boy and am not sure how that procedure works. Does DS need to go under a general anesthetic when they put them in? Do you think he'll have troubles hearing for a few days after they've been put in?
Also, do they ever get blocked up?

**noskie** · 09-02-2011 10:24

i had 4 lots of grommets when i was little, first was before i turned 2.

They give you a general anasthetic so they can put them in. Waking up is bizzare as everything is SO SO SO much louder than when you went to sleep! The lots i had when i was a bit older i remember hearing a tray drop at the other end of the corridor and it made me jump sky high coz it sounded right next to my bed!

the grommets shouldnt get blocked, but after they fell out my ears went back to being a bit gooey and mucky, hence the need for multiple sets.

I think it was Brood Mare who had her DS in the last week or so, so she can probably give you the best up-to-date info

**Misschief** · 09-02-2011 19:47

Ah thanks for that. So you hear actually much better when you wake up? I thought it might hurt and maybe be a bit swollen and therefor making it harder to hear.
Also, I didn't know they could fall out. DS is a real tosser and turner. I wouldn't be surprised if he would loose a set in his sleep

**lealea79** · 09-02-2011 19:55

Ds was just about to turn 18 months when he got grommets last year.. they dunt fall out if you turn your head side ways.. I'm not sure how they fall out.. They also aren't meant to get there ears wet.. Its been extremely hard not 2 get them wet since he is s water baby..
He did go under GA, 15 to 20 mins later it was over with and ds slept on my lap for the next 2.5 hours and probably only woke cos I was busting for the toilet.. An hour later we were discharged as ds had eaten and then decided to run a mock lol he hasn't had an ear infection since and is talking lots..

**Misschief** · 09-02-2011 20:07

Hmmm the ENT said he cant swim for the first few weeks, but after that its fine. There's no issue with getting them wet. I specifically asked for this as DS goes to swimming lessons once or twice a week and loves the water.

**Mahjong** · 09-02-2011 20:10

With swimming he has to wear ears plugs and then stick a cap over his head and cover his ears to keep them in, the water is not good into their ears and can cause pain on the ear drum.

DS2 had his first set at 12 months and then another set at 24 months. Best thing we have ever done for him

**noskie** · 10-02-2011 06:55

my sister and i had to wear ear plugs and swimming caps, and when we were in the bath and had our hair washed we had to wear these giant flower looking things to shelter our ears but left our hair out so it could get wet

Because they are effectivley through your ear drum there is a huge chance water will get in behind through the grommets and make more infection

From memory i think they took about 6 months to come out? I remember the last lot, i woke up one morening and there was this big black gooey thing on my pillow

**~ElectricPink~** · 10-02-2011 07:45

My DS had had two sets of grommets. First set when he was 2, second set a couple of months before he turned 4. They really have been fabulous, I will be forever grateful to his ENT, they have made such a HUGE difference!

The one memory that will always stick with me - going out to the carpark at the hospital after his first surgery, he heard birds tweeting in the sky, and he looked up in absolute amazement. He had never heard it before then.... Then the whole way home, he was so quiet, you could tell that he was just listening to all the new sounds that he couldn't hear before.