This may become infected and may require a separate operation to correct.īlocked grommet. On rare occasions once the grommet comes out, the hole may not heal resulting in a perforation of the ear drum. (Three drops three times a day for 5 days, try to squelch the drops deep into the ear by squeezing the outer ear canal.) This can usually be treated effectively with ear drops such as Sofradex or Gentisone HC. The grommets can become infected and there may be a discharge from the ear. Occasionally adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy may also be performed. Most patients can go home the same day of surgery. This always stops and is not anything to worry about. Occasionally a small amount of blood stained fluid comes out of the ear immediately after the operation. The operation is not particularly painful. A hole is made in the ear drum, the fluid is drained and a plastic grommet placed in the hole. The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic. if past grommets have not worked or in patients with cleft palate or Down’s Syndrome. Hearing aids are usually considered in some circumstances e.g. However as the hearing can fluctuate hearing aids are not always effective. In some children the hearing can be improved with hearing aids. See patient information sheet on adenoidectomy. Their removal can help prevent and treat glue ear. If the adenoids are enlarged or diseased they can make glue ear more likely. This, combined with a short course of steroid treatment, can be successful in treating the glue ear.Īdenoid are glandular tissue art the back of the nose next to the Eustachian tube which connects the nose to the ear. In adults it is an option to drain the fluid/glue ear via a small hole in the ear drum under a local anaesthetic in clinic without inserting grommets. In the case of a child they will in most cases “grown out of the problem”. On occasions the glue ear may come back and grommets may have to be inserted again. The Grommets come out of the ear drum by themselves after 6 to 18 months. They do not cure the underlying problem but bypass it. The grommet allows air to enter the middle ear and so helps the glue ear to resolve. Is is more expensive.Ī small (2-3mm) hole is made in the drum and a grommet (small plastic tubes) are placed in the ear drum after the fluid is drained. An alternative device is the EarPopper® device which has a battery operated pump which blows the air in to the nose while you are swallowing. The response to this treatment is variable although there is some evidence it can provide some benefit. The Otovent® device is available on the NHS with a prescription or can be bought over the internet (e.g. The treatment may work better if you can swallow while the balloon is inflated. Such a device can be bought from chemists or the internet (e.g. This is done three times a day for 6 weeks. This is a special device which the patient blows into using her or his nose. In most people glue ear will resolve after three months.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |