Experience with grommets/ ear tubes?

Posted , 2 users are following.

Does anyone have experience with grommets?

I had a blocked left ear for 5 weeks that would not clear despite multiple medications ( sudafed, prednisone, nasonex, nasal decongestants etc). My left ear had blocked up after a sore throat/ sinus congestion. My right ear stayed clear.

Both my general practioner and ENT said no infection however the ENT suggested a left ear grommet due to the lack of clearing and the fact that it had happened earlier in the year under similar circumstances, although for only 3 weeks on and off.

Well i had the grommet inserted under anaesthetic last week. Immediately upon waking from the procedure my ear still felt blocked as well as my right!!

The ENT is not sure why and had no explanation but sent me for a hearing test. I told him that I can hear but just feel blocked with a muffled sensation in both ears. My hearing test came back normal as I knew it would however it has been 7 days and the blocked feeling persists in both ears. I feel worse now then before the procedure.

Can anyone tell me if this blocked sensation will go away and how long I should expect it to last. I feel as if I am going crazy and my ENT just tells me not to worry because my hearing is normal.

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1 Reply

  • Posted

    Hi. It might be worth trying OTOVENT DEVICE' its meant to help with glue ear symptoms and eustanchian tube dysfuntion.

    I had grommets in both ears in February. For 2 weeks I felt fine and then the ear pain came back. I had a check up a few months later and the grommet in the right ear had moved. I started to doubt whether it had been done properly or whether my ear drum couldnt adjust to the grommet. Grommet in my left ear is fine and no symptoms but right ear is back to where it was before the op.

    I pushed for a second opinion at a different NHS hospital who said my only option is to have the grommet put back in my right ear. Looked at going private and they do an operation called 'balloon dillation'.

    ENT specialists in NhS hospitals will tell you not to worry as they do not have a solution.

    Hope this helps in

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