Grommet is a flexible loop that serves as a fastening, support, or reinforcement.
How Much Does Grommets Cost In South Africa
The procedure, if done privately, will cost between R700 and R2 000, excluding hospital costs of approximately R5 000 and the anaesthetist’s fee.
How long are grommets in for?
How does a grommet work?
Grommets are rings used to protect holes in thin materials like fabrics, sheet metal, and carbon fiber.
Grommets or eyelets are used so that wires, rope, or cords can be put through your material without tearing through or misshaping the hole. Grommets are necessary when hole reinforcement is needed to prevent fraying.
Key facts. They are used after repeated ear infections that cause ‘glue ear’. Grommets are inserted during minor surgery but under general anaesthetic. They usually fall out naturally after 6 to 12 months.
Do grommets last forever?
Grommets are tiny tubes inserted into the eardrum.
They allow air to pass through the eardrum, keeping the air pressure on either side equal.
The surgeon makes a tiny hole in the eardrum and inserts the grommet into the hole.
It usually stays in place for six to 12 months and then falls out.
How do I know if my child needs grommets?
glue ear for more than 3 months, depending on the degree of hearing loss.
6 acute ear infections in one year, especially if the infections have occurred in both ears.
repeat infections through the summer months, when such infections should be less likely to happen.
Does my child need to do anything differently when they have grommets?
Doctors vary in their recommendations about ear protection for your child in water (when swimming, shampooing, showering and bathing). Some children get ear infections and discharge as a result. Ask your surgeon about this at the time of the operation. You can also discuss this with your family doctor or ear nurse.
What if fluid is coming out of my child’s ears?
If your child does get an ear infection with grommets in place, pus can flow out through the grommet. See your family doctor or ear nurse if your child has any fluid leaking from their ears. Your family doctor may take a swab. This will show any bacteria which may be causing the discharge.
Your doctor may prescribe some ear drops for your child. Ear drops are more effective than antibiotics by mouth in treating discharging ears. Sometimes, your child might also get help at your local ear clinic from an ear nurse specialist.
What are the possible complications of grommets?
A grommet may occasionally block. If this happens, your child may need ear drops to help clear it.
A small number of children may keep getting fluid leaking from their ears.
There is a small but significant risk of a hole that remains in the eardrum after the grommets come out. If this happens, an operation to repair the hole may be necessary when your child is over 8 years old.
In a small number of children, grommets may not come out by themselves within 3 years. If this is the case, your child may need a further brief general anaesthetic to remove the grommets. The decision to remove working grommets must be weighed up against the possible risk of the return of ear infections and glue ear. You can discuss this with your family doctor or ENT specialist.
Will my child need to have another grommets operation?
Some children continue to have ear problems (glue ear or repeated ear infections) once the grommets come out. They may need grommets again.
Sometimes, your ENT surgeon may also recommend removal of your child’s adenoids. There is some evidence that removing the adenoids is helpful in those children who need more than one set of grommets. The adenoids sit at the end of the eustachian tubes at the back of the nose and can contribute to ear infections.