ear tubes (grommets ) in adults

[ukjohn]

my ent said he wants to take my grommets out (put in my previouse ent) as they are blocked, he said that putting them in adults can cause more problems that cures. but my old ent wanted to put larger grommets in!!
im just confused by the 2 comflicting reccomendations.
grommets in adults yes or no??

[ChristinaGD]

Hi there. I was just reading what you wrote about grommets and was wondering if you have a different view now, 2 1/2 years later or is it still causing you issues? I have been told that I need grommets but the doctor didn't really seem to spend a lot of time weighing all of the possibilities. I think my appointment was about 5 minutes. I have had pressure problems since I was young and now that I've moved from the US to Australia 4 years ago they have become unbearable. No one has ever been able to tell me what the problem was until this last doctor I saw last month and he just looked in my ears and said I need grommets. I don't believe I have any hearing loss, I don't have any tonsillitis, like you said you had problems with. It's just the pressure. I'm worried about getting grommets after reading all these scary stories, but I am DESPERATE to get rid of this pressure problem! Any help from anyone would be so helpful! Thanks everyone.

[susie197702]

Get a second  thought with a ENT first before deciding tubes,I didn't and it was a big mistake.

[ChristinaGD]

It's been 3 years since I wrote that. I've had 2 Grommet insertions. One temporary, (which fell out after a few weeks,) and "permanent" Grommets which fell out in less than a month. My ear drums are "pristine" and I've now seen 3 ENT specialists and had a head CT and MRI that came up clear. The last doctor I saw had a very high reputation. I drove 2 hours each way to see him and he was all excited to say there were "all kinds of surgeries we could try to fix my pressure issue" but at the end he said there was nothing he could do. I suffer the worst I've ever suffered now and have taken up smoking weed to relieve me at the end of the day, but that does nothing for me all day long. I have 3 kids and a job that I struggle with having this issue. 5 ENT specialists in 7 years and here I am today, worse than ever. If I believed in God I'd pray none of you suffer with ear issues like this...because it seems there is nothing anyone can do to help.

[susie197702]

Christina,did you have many surgeries on your ear? and is this why that you are having worse problems then before?

[student102846]

Just want to say that for anyone considering grommets to think carefully. In my case removal of tonsils and adenoids would have been sufficient and the grommet caused unnecessary discomfort and pain. I did not have hearing loss only pressure problems which I believe would have been resolved by removal of tonsils and adenoids alone (I had very bad tonsillitis). It is a big decision and not as trivial as it may seem and can really impact upon your life. If in doubt it is best not to make any rushed decisions. Of course grommets suit some people (in particular those who have lost hearing) and I do not mean that they are of no benefit to anyone, however in my case they were a very unnecessary cause of discomfort and pain. The decision whether to have grommets should be very carefully considered and is what I would call a last resort (if removal of tonsils and adenoids has not been successful...and even then I'm not sure if I would be in favour of it). I just wanted to share my experience and hope it may be of use to someone.

[susie197702]

I very much agree! do all you can do first before deciding to get ear tubes.

[chantillylace13]

My husband has worked in the steel works for nearly 38 years and gradualy his hearing has got worse, his last works examination by the nurse ended in him being refered to ent for grommets to be inserted this friday 15th july! what can he expect after this procedure? any help would be appreciated.

[susie197702]

Ear tubes will not help with hearing lost unless it is fluid behind ear drum! he might need hearing aids.

[AshleyLynn]

I had tubes put in my ears on the 23rd of last month (a month ago today exactly) and it's personally been great for me. I didn't have as many infections in my ears per-se as I did with constant terrible pressure.I waited an entire year to determine if decongestants, steroids, sprays etc. would work, and the pressures still fluctuated. They would do tymp tests and get readings of like, -117 on one side, and +37 on the other. Needless to say, I was dizzy and just felt terrible. I have God-awful sinus issues, (I've have had 6 sinus surgeries also within the past 16 months alone) but tubes in my ears by far have been the best thing to help deal with the constant ear conerns.

Best of luck!

Ashley

[ema15710m]

When I was 18 I went to a Specialist because my ears couldn't pop and I was in pain. He suggested grommits which I knew nothing about so I said if that is what I nedded then I should get them. A couple of months  later I had the surgery and it really didn't go well. I ended up getting a needle to stop me throwing up because he got the anastetic stuff down my throat. ever since I have nothing but ear problems and infections. I am now 24 and one grommits still hasn't fallen out and my ears weep all the time and sometimes even blood. At the moment I have had allergic reaction and my left ear is aching so much. Has anyone ever heard of these problems and what may have happened to make it like this???

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

The concern is:

1) The PET "gommets" as you called tem, can allow for exposure to bacteria etc.
2) The PET will cause or can cause a permanent hole in the ear drum

It is a 50/50 debate. pro's over cons

I like tubes my self.