grometts

[Belle]

Just wondered if anyone else's child has had grometts (sp?) fitted? I know it's v straightforward and quite a common procedure - but my little boy is only 15 months. so though we have taken advice and considered it all and are def going ahead with them (to avoid countless more antibiotics - currently on 4th ear infection of the month!) - am a bit wobbly about thought of him going under etc. So, just wondering what others' experiences were, and if anyone else has had to have them fitted this young. The surgeon did say he's young to have them, but that's not something to be unduly worried about.

[victor]

I'm interested too as my son (who is 9yrs old) has been put on the waiting list for the op.

The doctors I saw when he was younger said the glue ear should right itself. Luckily he didn't seem to have many ear infections, and I thought the "selective hearing" was hereditary (from the male side, of course!)

[dulwichmum]

Our eight year old has had three sets of gromets, I don't know if they are still in his ears now, the last operation was about three years ago. He has always been kind and gentle little boy, but was plagued by ear infections when he was a baby and would literally scream for 20 hours solid. He was on almost continuous antibiotics. I was horrified by the initial suggestion of glue ear as I had always believed that this was caused by smoking and neither myself or my husband smoke. I genuinely resisted the operation to begin with, but in the end, I was exhausted and very pregnant and I could not see any other way forward.

Max had his first operation when he was about 16 months old, apparently by then, he had no hearing at all in one ear and only about 40 per cent in the second ear (when they told me that at the hospital on the morning of the op I felt so ashamed). The effect of the surgery was dramatic. Our son had vastly improved speech within days, no more tantrums, antiobiotics or sleepless nights. He was actually discharged the same day. I still have a photo of his gorgeous chubby little smiling self in his blue and white flannelet pyjamas from Biff in the village, going off down on the trolley with his tiger.

Each time his behavior has deteriorated since then, it has always been that one of his gromets has fallen out and when it is replaced, the poor child is instantly back to his perfect self. I feel like such an idiot for resisting the operation to begin with. The baby was being tortured by the pain, it seems really obvious now. It is a terrifying experience, allowing your baby to have an anaesthetic, but they don't advocate intervention like this unless it is essential, your child will be transformed.

[EmilyE]

My daughter had a grommet put in (at 4 1/2). And I have an adult version (same idea, but they stay in for longer). It is a very straight forward operation, though I found putting my daughter under general anaesthetic very upsetting, especially as she went beserk immediately beforehand. Recovery was pretty instant though, and hearing is usually immediately improved.

I know that you Belle have decided to go ahead definitely, but if anyone else is interested... I do have some reservations about grommets. For an older child, there is always the possibility that they grow out of glue ear, and for a younger one, there is always the risk that they have to have repeated operations, which can lead to a weaker ear drum (more prone to easier perforation, which itself can cause scarring and have an effect on hearing).

That said, I never did grow out of it and ended up having the operation as an adult, and ear infections are miserable and can in themselves produce so much fluid that they perforate the ear drums...And I should stress that I'm not medically qualified.

The only other thing is that, although I know it is controversial (to say the least) I have found a chiropractor who has made a difference to my ENT issues. I now wonder if she would have eliminated the need for surgery in my case, though clearly not with everybody.

Oh i have wittered on. But in short, the op is really fine; it doesn't hurt, recovery is very quick, but it isn't the most fun thing to see your little one being knocked out.

Hope it all goes well.

[Belle]

Thanks for that - and I know there are risks, you're right - it's worth considering them of course. Thing is his eardrum has already perforated multiple times...and the doc explained the odds and they're pretty good in terms of the potential downsides. Also the doc said the effect on hearing, worst case scenario, would be one or two decibels whereas glue ear has a much more serious effect on hearing.

Dulwichmum - thanks so much for your post, given your son was practically the same age as J when he had his first op, it's so reassuring to hear about your experience - particularly as we've been there with the tantrums, screaming and wrecked nights. Fingers crossed we get a similar outcome!

[johnhinton]

Our daughter also had grommets at about three, after one eardrum burst. What was most disturbing was that she was such a quiet child who must have been in so much pain - and may have thought that was a normal situation! She couldn't tell us then - she still doesn't speak - and has a number of ongoing health issues that we are trying to manage, but is still so compliant and affectionate.

john

[hkirsop]

my little boy had grommetts aged 15 months too as did one of my friend's little boys. he was also plagued by ear infections would get them every three weeks to the day - one week of antibiotics then two weeks later started again - this went on for about 6 months and was horrible for him. the grommets have been amazing and no ear infections since then - touch wood! and no impact on speech development etc (he is now 2). i know quite scary (i literally didn't sit down the whole time he was in theatre) but it made such a difference and he (and we!) have been so much happier.

i hope the operation goes well for you

[Belle]

oh thanks for that! v helpful to hear. Did you have to avoid swimming/hair washing for a bit? sounds like v similar reasons to us for having it done, and am glad it's helped your little boy.

[dulwichmum]

Hi Belle,

the surgeon said our son could use special ear plugs for swimming, and we actually got a special head band too from The Great Little Trading Company to keep them in place (like a neoprene hairband), but our son got a dreadful ear infection when he was about 2, on holiday. We felt sure that the infection was triggered by bacteria from the plugs and heat in the swimming pool, and so we didnt use them again. He is eight now and can swim as well as any other child in his class.

[skip]

A friend's daughter was advised to have grommets. They took her to a Chinese doctor who through non invasive techniques fixed the problem. I would personally explore this first. Good luck.

[hkirsop]

our boy hasn't really done too much swimming mostly because we really struggle to get the earplugs & hairband thingy on! but am sure it is possible!! also had to be quite careful with hairwashing and still are as dont want lots of water running into his ears. we are seeing his specialist next week though as he is now 11 months on from op and they want to check up on him so am hoping that this will mean that we can be a bit more relaxed about water now..

Hannah