Grommets (Ear Tubes)

For information about grommets in children please click here.

What are Grommets?

Grommets are small plastic tubes that are inserted into your eardrum(s). They are also called "Tympanostomy tubes".

What are Grommets used for in adults?

Grommets are used to treat a few different conditions in adults:

• Severe Acute Otitis Media
• Recurrent Acute Otitis Media (RAOM)
• Glue ear
• Eustachian tube dysfunction
• Rarely, for other conditions

What is "Acute Otitis Media" (AOM)?

Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is an infection of the "Middle ear". The infection usually begins with a cold or flu which spreads into the middle ear. The middle ear is the space behind the eardrum. Normally this space contains air and the 3 small bones of hearing. When the middle ear becomes infected, this space fills up with fluid and pus. Usually this responds to antibiotics. In rare, severe cases, where antibiotics are not controlling the infection, a grommet may be required.

What is "Recurrent Acute Otitis Media" (RAOM)?

RAOM means repeated infections of the "middle ear".

More than 3 infections in a 6 month period is defined as RAOM

Is RAOM bad?

RAOM can cause the following problems:

• Persistent fluid in the ears can reduce your hearing and cause blocked ears.
• Persistent fluid may temporarily affect your balance and co-ordination.
• Repeated infections can cause damage to the ear drums.
• Repeated infections often require multiple courses of antibiotics.

How is RAOM diagnosed?

See your GP if you think you have RAOM. Your GP will ask about your symptoms and examine your ears. Infection of the middle ear can be seen as thick fluid and pus behind the ear drum. If the infection is severe, the eardrum may burst and discharge pus from the ears.

How is RAOM treated?

See your GP if you think you have RAOM. Treatment options include:

• Do nothing: If the symptoms are not severe, treatment may not be necessary
• Long term antibiotics: These may eventually clear the repeated infections
• Nasal sprays: These may help clear the opening of the tube between the ear and the back of the nose (Eustachian tube)
• Steroid tablets: These may help clear the tube between the ear and the back of the nose (Eustachian tube)
• Non-surgical measures:You can try the non-surgical measures listed below. There is not much scientific evidence that these measures work well, but it may be worth trying them
• Referral to an ENT Sydney specialist doctor: for insertion of grommets

What do grommets do in RAOM?

A Grommet creates a small opening in the eardrum. This allows fluid, pus and infection in the middle ear to drain out so that the ear can return to normal.

How are grommets inserted?

Grommets are inserted while you are asleep under a general anaesthetic. The grommets are inserted through the ear canal - there are no cuts made on the outside.

Where is the operation performed?

ENT Sydney specialist doctors perform grommet insertion at Lakeview Private Hospital and Westmead Private Hospital. Lakeview Private Hospital is the first and only full-size hospital built and run entirely by specialist doctors, for the benefit of patients. Westmead Private Hospital is also one of Australia's leading private hospitals. It is part of the Westmead healthcare campus, the largest Hospital complex in the Southern Hemisphere. Westmead Private Hospital is also affiliated with the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine, Australia's oldest and largest Medical School.

Are there any alternatives to surgery?

Yes. Grommet insertion is an "Elective" procedure, meaning it is your choice to have the operation performed. Alternatives to surgery include:

• Do nothing: You may keep getting problems related to the ears.
• Long-term antibiotics: Sometimes, a long course of antibiotics for many weeks or months may reduce the risk of ear infections.
• Non-surgical measures: There is not much scientific evidence that these measures work well, but it may be worth trying them. Techniques include:
  • Steam inhalation
  • Swallowing hard
  • The "Otovent" device

Are there any risks to surgery?

Yes. Everything we do in life has risks. Even something as simple as crossing the street has risks... but we still cross the street. Your ENT Sydney specialist doctor will explain the risks of your operation and provide you with an information pamphlet that explains the risks in detail. If you have any questions about risks, ask your ENT Sydney specialist doctor during your consultation.

What should I do next?

See your GP if you have ear problems (repeated ear infections, discharge from the ears, reduced hearing, blocked ears, funny noises in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness, imbalance or poor co-ordination - bumping into things and falling over). Ask your GP for a referral to see an ENT Sydney specialist doctor and call us for an appointment.

What is "Glue ear"

After an infection of the middle ears, you child will be left with fluid in the ears. In most cases, this drains away by itself quickly and typically within 3 months of the infection. If the fluid is still present after 3 months, it is called "Glue ear". After 3 months the fluid is very thick and sticky - like glue.

Is Glue Ear bad?

Glue ear can cause the following problems:

1. Glue ear can reduce your hearing
2. Glue ear may temporarily affect your balance and co-ordination.

How is Glue Ear diagnosed?

See your GP if you think you have Glue Ear. Your GP will ask about your symptoms and examine your ears. Glue Ear can be seen as thick fluid behind the ear drum and reduced ear drum movement.

How is Glue Ear treated?

See your GP if you think you have Glue Ear. Treatment options include:

• Long term antibiotics: These may eventually clear the fluid
• Short term steroid medications: These may clear the fluid
• Non-surgical measures: You can try the non-surgical measures listed below. There is not much scientific evidence that these measures work well, but it may be worth trying them
• Referral to an ENT Sydney specialist doctor: for insertion of grommets

What do grommets do in Glue Ear?

Grommets create a small opening in the eardrums. This allows the glue-like fluid in the middle ears to be cleaned out so that the ears can return to normal.

How are grommets inserted?

Grommets are inserted while you are asleep under a general anaesthetic. The grommets are inserted through the ear canal - there are no cuts made on the outside.

Where is the operation performed?

ENT Sydney specialist doctors perform grommet insertion at Lakeview Private Hospital and Westmead Private Hospital. Lakeview Private Hospital is the first and only full-size hospital built and run entirely by specialist doctors, for the benefit of patients. Westmead Private Hospital is also one of Australia's leading private hospitals. It is part of the Westmead healthcare campus, the largest Hospital complex in the Southern Hemisphere. Westmead Private Hospital is also affiliated with the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine, Australia's oldest and largest Medical School.

Are there any alternatives to surgery?

Yes. Grommet insertion is an "Elective" procedure, meaning it is your choice to have the operation performed. Alternatives to surgery include:

• Do nothing: You may keep getting problems related to the ears.
• Long-term antibiotics: Sometimes, a long course of antibiotics for many weeks or months may clear the fluid
• Short term steroid medications: These may clear the fluid
• Non-surgical measures: There is not much scientific evidence that these measures work well, but it may be worth trying them. Techniques include:
  • Swallowing hard
  • The "Otovent" device
  • Hearing aids

Are there any risks to surgery?

Yes. Everything we do in life has risks. Even something as simple as crossing the street has risks... but we still cross the street. Your ENT Sydney specialist doctor will explain the risks of your operation and provide you with an information pamphlet that explains the risks in detail. If you have any questions about risks, ask your ENT Sydney specialist doctor during your consultation.

What should I do next?

See your GP if you have ear problems (repeated ear infections, discharge from the ears, reduced hearing, blocked ears, funny noises in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness, imbalance or poor co-ordination - bumping into things and falling over). Ask your GP for a referral to see an ENT Sydney specialist doctor and call us for an appointment.