Ear grommets, also known as ventilation tubes or tympanostomy tubes, are tiny plastic tubes inserted into the eardrum to help drain fluid and improve air flow in the middle ear. They are commonly used in children who experience frequent ear infections or have ongoing fluid in the middle ear (glue ear) that affects hearing or speech development.
Grommet insertion is a commonly performed procedure that may improve hearing, reduce the frequency of ear infections, and support speech and language development in children with persistent middle ear fluid.
The middle ear sits behind the eardrum and is normally filled with air. In some children with paediatric ear conditions, fluid can build up in this space, particularly after repeated ear infections or when the Eustachian tube is not functioning properly. Because children have shorter and more horizontal Eustachian tubes than adults, babies and children are more prone to fluid remaining in the middle ear rather than draining normally. This ongoing fluid build-up is commonly referred to as glue ear.
Your child may need grommets if they experience:
Grommet insertion is a very common and safe procedure. In Australia, around 6 out of every 1,000 children have this surgery each year. As with any operation, there are some possible risks, including
Dr Phillips will discuss these risks and answer any questions you may have before the procedure.
Dr Phillips can advise on the best option based on your child’s individual needs.
If your child is having a general anaesthetic, they must not eat or drink for 6 hours before the operation. You will receive specific instructions from the hospital or anaesthetist.
Let the clinic know about any medications your child is taking, especially blood thinners or allergy treatments.
If your child has a cold, fever, or other illness near the surgery date, please notify the clinic, as the procedure may need to be rescheduled.
Grommets are very small tubes (about the size of a match head) inserted into a tiny hole made in the eardrum. They allow air to enter the middle ear and help fluid drain out through the ear canal.
The procedure is usually performed under a short general anaesthetic and takes around 10–15 minutes. No cuts are made on the outside of the ear, and the grommets are placed through the ear canal.
Grommets usually stay in place for 6 to 12 months, after which they fall out on their own as the eardrum heals.
Most children recover very quickly after grommet surgery.
This is usually a day procedure. Your child can usually go home a few hours after surgery.
Most children experience little or no pain. If needed, give paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed.
You may notice better hearing almost immediately, though some children take a few days to adjust.
Ciprofloxacin-containing ear drops are the only drops that can be safely used in people with grommets. Dr Phillips will normally send you home with a bottle or prescription for these drops postoperatively to use as directed.
Clear or slightly bloody fluid may come from the ear in the first several days. This is normal. If thick or smelly discharge appears, contact the clinic, as antibiotic drops may be needed.
Children with grommets have a small opening in the eardrum that allows air to enter the middle ear. Because of this, water entering the ear canal can increase the risk of ear infection in some situations.
Contact our clinic or your GP if your child:
Dr Phillips will usually review your child about 4–6 weeks after the procedure, and again periodically to monitor grommet function and hearing. A hearing test is required before your first post-operative review.
Yes. Most grommets fall out naturally after 6 to 12 months and the eardrum heals on its own.
Yes, but they are often milder and easier to treat with ear drops instead of oral antibiotics.
Ear grommets are commonly used to treat glue ear by allowing air to pass through the eardrum and into the middle ear. During this simple procedure, tiny tubes are inserted into the child’s ear to help prevent fluid from building up when the Eustachian tube is not functioning properly.
By improving the ventilation of the middle ear, grommets can assist with restoring normal hearing and reducing the risk of ongoing ear problems. The procedure may only be performed by an ear, nose and throat surgeon.
In children with glue ear or fluid in the middle ear, grommets often lead to improvement in hearing by allowing air into the middle ear and preventing thick fluid build-up. Hearing improvement may be noticed soon after surgery, although some children take longer to adjust, particularly if hearing loss was present for an extended period.
Ear grommets are inserted into the eardrum. A very small opening is made in the eardrum, and the grommet sits within this opening to allow air to pass into the middle ear and fluid to drain. The grommet does not sit in the child’s outer ear or ear canal and is usually not visible without specialised equipment.
Most ear grommets stay in place for around 6 to 12 months. Over time, the eardrum heals and gently pushes the grommet out into the ear canal, where it usually falls out on its own. The exact duration can vary between children and depends on the type of grommet used.
Grommets are very small and are positioned in the eardrum, so they are not usually visible to parents or children. They can be seen during an ear examination by a health professional using an otoscope or microscope.
When grommets fall out, the eardrum typically heals on its own without treatment. In many children, the middle ear continues to function normally after this. Some children may redevelop fluid build-up or ear infections and require further assessment to determine whether additional treatment is needed.
No. Insertion of grommets in the ear is considered a minor surgical procedure and is usually performed as a day procedure under a short general anaesthetic. The “grommets in ear” surgery itself typically takes 10 to 15 minutes, and most children go home a few hours later.
Ear plugs are often recommended for swimming, particularly in lakes, rivers, or other dirty water. A swimming cap can provide additional protection. Showering is generally safe, but prolonged submersion of the head or deep underwater swimming is usually discouraged while grommets are in place.
You should seek medical advice if your child develops persistent or foul-smelling ear discharge, increasing ear pain, fever, or if hearing does not improve as expected. Follow-up appointments and hearing tests are important to monitor grommet function and middle ear health.
If you’d like to discuss this procedure or explore suitable treatment options, please get in touch with Dr Nicholas Phillips’ clinic.
To book with Dr Phillips, you’ll need a referral from your GP or specialist. Questions? Call our team — we’re happy to help.
