Paediatric ENT
Evaluation and treatment of ear, nose and throat conditions in children, including grommet (ear tube) insertion for glue ear, a common and effective cause of speech, hearing and behavioural delay in young children.
Who Needs It
Recommended for children with persistent fluid behind the eardrum (glue ear), recurrent ear infections, or hearing loss that has led to delayed speech development, poor concentration at school, or behavioural changes, especially when the condition has not resolved on its own after a period of monitoring.
How It's Performed
Under a brief general anaesthetic, the surgeon makes a tiny opening in the eardrum and places a small ventilation tube (grommet) to drain trapped fluid and allow air into the middle ear. The procedure typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes and most children go home the same day.
Preparing for Treatment
Before the procedure, the child undergoes a hearing test and an examination of the ear, along with a general health check to confirm fitness for a short general anaesthetic.
Benefits
Grommet insertion restores hearing quickly by clearing trapped fluid, which in turn supports normal speech and language development, improves behaviour and attention, and reduces the frequency of ear infections.
Risks & Complications
As with any procedure involving general anaesthesia, there are small risks, including infection, early extrusion or blockage of the tube, or a small perforation that does not close after the tube falls out. Your child's surgeon will explain the risks specific to their case.
Life After Treatment
Most children experience an immediate improvement in hearing, with noticeable gains in speech clarity, attentiveness and behaviour over the following weeks and months as the tubes remain in place.
Price Range
Price on Consultation
Recovery Timeline
Children usually return to normal activity within a day, with an immediate or early improvement in hearing once the fluid has drained.
Parents and teachers often notice better attentiveness, clearer speech response and improved behaviour as hearing stabilises.
Grommets are reviewed periodically and typically fall out on their own as the eardrum heals, with hearing and ear health monitored until then.