If your child has had glue ear over a few months and hearing tests have shown that this is causing a hearing loss, they may need a ‘grommet’ or ventilation tube.

This involves making a small hole in the eardrum, removing the fluid and inserting the grommet through the hole.

The grommet keeps the hole open for a few months, lets air into the middle ear space and lets fluid in the middle ear drain away.

Your child’s hearing should then return to how it was before they had glue ear. The insertion is carried out under a short general anaesthetic and takes about 15 minutes. Your child will usually be allowed to go home the same day.