Grommets - why wouldn’t you?

Okay, so DS is 15 months old and has had constant ear infections over the past 6 - 8 months. We've been on antibiotics more times than I'd care to remember.

His audiologist appointment today showed no movement with his ear drums indicating fluid behind the ears.

We're seeing a specialist privately on Tuesday and it looks as though grommets may be the way to go.

From everything I've read people rave about the difference grommets have made - my question is why wouldn't you go down that path? I realise it is a surgical procedure but I'm just wondering if there was any other feedback before we make this decision.

TBH Í'm a little bit surprised that you even consider not having them if they are needed, and I not sure that there is any other way to fix the problem with out grommets.

I look after a little girl who had grommets in 3 months ago, so at 18 months, this is after at least 6 months of infection & AB's in a continuous cycle.

Her hearing was affected as well as speech, plus also her balance. You had to speak really loudly to her to get her to notice you if you weren't right in front of her face. She'd fall over all the time as well.

Grommets have been the best thing that have happened to her, she's so much more settled, has not been on AB's since, has started to talk. Her ears were so bad that when she saw the specialist, she paid privately also, that the guy wanted to book her in within the following 4 days. The specialist said to her Mum that her ears would have been that way for at least a year. So a lot longer that her parents realised cause it's one of those things that you just have no idea of.

The surgery takes all of 8 mins & they bounce back really well.

AandCsmum i was much the same when i was younger, back then it took Mum many specialist appointments for them to finally do something, i went through 7 sets of grommets over about 4 years. My speech, hearing and balance was all well affected. I needed speech therapy when i started school, and in the end i was fine, wouldnt know any difference now. Thanks to my mum for her persistance on getting it sorted.

I remember one time going in for my operation, i woke up feeling fine, got an ice block and went home.

If any of my children need them i wont even question it, i know its made a huge difference for me.

I found 2 in my plunket book the other day that had fallen out, they are so tiny, its amazing what they do for the size of them!

Sorry, perhaps my post was written a wee bit wrong. I'm the one who has asked for referrals etc and I'm hoping that grommets are the answer - certainly if the doc says they are we'll be getting them asap. I was just curious as to whether there were any down sides or reasons people wouldn't as I've heard some friends be reluctant, whereas to me it seems like an obvious answer.

Thank for the advice guys. Saw the specialist today and getting grommets put in on Tuesday. Fingers crossed.

Hope all goes well Bec.  I don't know how you feel about the surgery itelf but as the mum I was pleasantly surprised.  I got to hold her as they put her off to sleep and then it was literally ten minutes before she was in my arms again.

Hang in there (on Mon night!).  I was pretty aprehensive about my ability to hand DD over (particularly as I was on my own with her) but it was okay.  Hard to do - but definitely okay.

Luna _Azzura - My daughter who is nearly 2 has had lots of ear infections and has had one set grommets done in June. I can tell when she has an ear infection because she wakes in the night!! She has only ever woken when she has been sick.... so i totally think ear problems can affect sleeping!!!
Good luck with your appt at the specialist!! Grommets have def made a difference to my daughter!!!