[ellabea]

Hi, my 2.3 year old needs grommets for her ear infections. Her hearing is not impacted at all but she needs them for the number of ear infections she gets (sometimes constant), and the extent to which they get infected.

I'm of course concerned about the procedure as the thought of her having a general anesthetic is not pleasant. I have also heard some people say that it didn't help their child with their ear infections much at all.

So, I am just wondering if anyone else out there has had grommets put in for their child for ear infections where the child's hearing wasn't impacted? I guess it would be a no brainer if her hearing was impacted but I can't help myself sitting on the fence because it isn't (even though the specialist recommends we go ahead).

Any experiences would be greatly appreciated - how long your child took to get over the procedure, whether the grommets helped, etc.

TIA.

[opethmum]

My DD had her op at 22 months, the op itself was about 15 -20 mins and she took about 2 hours to get over everything albeit she was tired and crappy for the day but she was up and running about the next day. You will probably get some ear drops to give to her for the next couple of days.
The op was essential in her being able to walk and talk and we have had to have therapy and follow up as a result of the op.
She in terms of ear infection to date has had hardly any antibiotics at all which we are happy about.
I would go for it, your DD will benefit from it.
Good luck

[lsolaBella]

We had them out in at 2.11 yrs. we also had adenoids out too.

OP was at 2.30pm, DS2 was home eating dinner as normal by 5.30pm. Awake as normal by 6am and went to Kinder that day.

We have just found out hearing is at the bottom of acceptable levels at 5.5yrs and they have finally fallen out. We are getting new ones in in 2wks.

The OP does not worry me. Hearing loss does. ENT was 50/50 on whether we should do surgery or wait. I voted surgery to which he said if it was his kid he would too.

[rileys-mum]

DS1 had grommets at 2.7. He has not looked back. No more ear infections or snotty nose.

Yes a GA can be scary. But if you DD is having constant ear infections and in pain you need to consider that this just might solve the problem.

No doubt that she has had several courses of Antibiotics and will continue to need this whilst she is still having ear infections. Being on Anti biotics continually is no good for anyone let alone an immature gut and immune system.

[black bird]

Best thing we ever did.
My son had constant ear infections and fever for around a year. The local GP kept telling me would grow out of it. Finally out of frustration demanded referal. He had the operation in less then a month. It's been 6months and not one ear infection.
I wish we had taken action sooner. He is happier, well and all over a new person. His speach and behaviour have greatly improved.

[ellabea]

Thanks for the responses ladies. We have decided to go ahead with it because it kills me when she is in pain and on constant antibiotics - I guess I just needed reassurance that it is the right decision - which you have given me. Thanks again!

[librablonde]

My DD had a grommet put in at age 3.5yrs. It was the best thing we ever did: no more ear infections, the operation was done in 20 mins and she woke up from the GA totally fine and happy like nothing had happened. We've had not a single ear issue since the grommet was put in in Feb 2012.

[nlman]

My DD has had two sets and my DS still has his first set in.

When DD had her first set, she went from constant infections, to none. Not a single infection. Within a couple of days of them falling out, she had an ear infection so we booked straight in for another set. This time when they fell out her tubes must have been wide enough as in 12 months she's only had one infection which I think is in line with other kids her age.

DS has also not had a single ear infection since they have been put in.

[Carmen02]

good luck with it OP! I wouldn't leave it..my DD and myself have serious scars on our ear drums due to the number of ear infections we have had when we should of had grommets sooner. It is a very simple op for them to go through...its harder on the parents then the kids i think!! lol my DD has had 9 sets DS1 3 sets and my 2yr old has had his 1st set around 3 mths ago. It defiently helps alot

[RobotFerretOfDoo...]

Absolute no-brainer for me too. DD was a different child after having her grommets just after her first birthday, her sleep problems improved dramatically and the whole family was much happier as a result.

A couple of tips - you should be able ask to be with your child when they put her under. I didn't know this and I felt awful handing her over to the anaesthetistm and watching him walk away with her.

Waking up from the GA is hard, and it is likely to be a bit distressing. Many little ones wake up very disoriented and cry inconsolably for a while - we sat in recovery cuddling DD and it took a long time for her to calm down. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. As I understand it, the younger they are, the more likely they are to react this way, so as your child is a bit older you may not have this reaction.

ETA: Good luck!

This post has been edited by FemboFerretOfDoom: 15/02/2013, 09:21 AM