Ear Grommets to Drain Excess Fluid

Ear grommets are synthetic tubes which are inserted into the eardrum to keep the middle ear aerated and allow for the drainage of excess fluid. This procedure is commonly performed on young children who are more likely to experience fluid in the ear and recurrent ear infections.

Doctor looking into a screaming child's ear
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Fluid in the ear (otitis media) occurs when the eustachian tube becomes blocked, trapping fluid inside. Causes for otitis media include:

  • Enlargement of the adenoids, turbinates, or sinus tissue
  • The horizontal position of the eustachian tube in children which is prone to the accumulation of debris and fluid

How Ear Grommets Are Inserted

While the surgical insertion of an ear grommet takes only around 15 minutes to perform, general anesthesia is usually required. This helps ensure the patient is perfectly still when the surgeon makes a tiny incision in the eardrum (a procedure known as a myringotomy).

The surgery involves several steps:

  1. You will generally be instructed to stop eating and drinking starting at midnight on the day of your surgery. This will help avoid the regurgitation of your stomach contents while under sedation.
  2. During your pre-operative exam, a nurse will take your blood pressure and oxygen levels and ask about any medications you may be taking.
  3. You will also likely meet with the anesthesiologist to discuss any previous experiences you may have had with anesthesia. An IV tube would then be placed by either the nurse or anesthesiologist.
  4. Once you are under sedation, the myringotomy would be performed, and any accumulated fluid would be sucked out with a vacuum.
  5. The ear grommet would be placed into the tiny hole in your eardrum.
  6. Antibiotic drops would then be used to help prevent infection.

Ear grommets do not require stitches but are rather held in place by the eardrum itself. In children, they will oftentimes fall out on their own, usually within six to nine months.

For adults, the ear grommet may be kept in place for a longer period of time, especially for those with recurrent ear infections. In this case, the grommet would have a special flange to hold it securely. These are usually called T-tubes. A second surgery may then be needed to remove it at a later date.

Post-Surgical Care

Most people do not experience significant pain following a myringotomy. If needed, Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be used to help alleviate any discomfort.

On the other hand, it is not uncommon to experience dizziness, nausea, or a headache following general anesthesia. It is for this reason that driving or the operation of heavy machinery should be avoided for 24 to 48 hours following the surgery.

Antibiotic eardrops may be prescribed for the first few days. You may also be asked to avoid submerging your head in water until fully healed or, at the very least, be asked to wear earplugs when swimming, showering, or bathing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who needs ear grommets?

    Young children, especially those at higher risk of ear infection or fluid in the ear, may need ear grommets. Less commonly, adults can also receive ear grommets.

  • What do ear grommets look like?

    Ear grommets look like a small, brightly-colored tube with a hole in the center. They are carefully inserted into the eardrum.

  • Are ear grommets painful?

    In most cases, ear grommets are not considered painful. At worst, there may be mild discomfort after receiving myringotomy, or the surgery that inserts ear grommets. Tylenol can be used to provide relief for this discomfort.

7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  5. Vanneste P, Page C. Otitis media with effusion in children: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. A reviewJ Otol. 2019;14(2):33-39. doi:10.1016/j.joto.2019.01.005

  6. Vlastarakos PV, Nikolopoulos TP, Korres S, Tavoulari E, Tzagaroulakis A, Ferekidis E. Grommets in otitis media with effusion: the most frequent operation in children. But is it associated with significant complications? Eur J Pediatr. 2007;166(5):385-391. doi:10.1007/s00431-006-0367-x

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Additional Reading
Kristin Hayes

By Kristin Hayes, RN
Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children.