About Bilateral Grommets
Key Highlights
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Quick and minimally invasive outpatient procedure.Provides immediate relief from ear pressure and fluid buildup.Significantly reduces the frequency and severity of ear infections.Restores and improves hearing ability, crucial for speech development in children.Tubes are self-extruding and typically fall out naturally as the eardrum heals.
Who is this surgery for?
- Chronic otitis media with effusion ("glue ear") persisting for 3 months or more despite medical management.
- Recurrent acute otitis media (four or more episodes in one year).
- Significant hearing loss due to persistent middle ear fluid, affecting speech, learning, or balance.
- Complications from otitis media, such as eardrum retraction pockets or cholesteatoma.
- Eustachian tube dysfunction that does not respond to other treatments.
How to prepare
- A comprehensive ENT examination, including otoscopy and tympanometry, to confirm the diagnosis.
- A pre-operative hearing test (audiogram) to establish a baseline.
- Discussion of medical history, allergies, and current medications with the surgeon and anesthesiologist.
- Fasting for a specified period (typically 6-8 hours for solids, 2 hours for clear liquids) before the procedure if general anesthesia is used.
- Arranging for transportation home post-procedure, as the patient will not be fit to drive.
Risks & possible complications
- Common: Temporary ear drainage (otorrhea) after surgery.
- Possible: Persistent perforation of the eardrum after the tube falls out (rare).
- Possible: Early extrusion or blockage of the grommet tube.
- Rare: Infection at the surgical site.
- Rare: Scarring of the eardrum (tympanosclerosis), which is usually not clinically significant.
- Rare: Risks associated with general anesthesia (e.g., allergic reaction).
Recovery & hospital stay
- Most patients go home the same day, a few hours after the procedure.
- Ear drops are often prescribed for a few days to prevent infection and clear debris.
- It is crucial to keep water out of the ears during bathing or swimming; use earplugs or a cotton ball with petroleum jelly as advised.
- Follow-up appointments are scheduled to check tube position and monitor hearing improvement.
- Avoid blowing the nose forcefully. Sneeze with the mouth open if possible.
- Normal activities can usually be resumed within 24-48 hours, avoiding strenuous exercise for a week.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (Outpatient/Day Care)
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 days for routine activities; tubes remain for 6-18 months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering bilateral grommets in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for bilateral grommets in India include Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Manipal Hospital Hebbal, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform bilateral grommets. MediFyr helps you compare ent specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for bilateral grommets compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 25 Thousand – 70 Thousand | 0 days (Outpatient/Day Care) | ~ 1-2 days for routine activities; tubes remain for 6-18 months | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 87.5 Thousand – 245 Thousand | 0 days (Outpatient/Day Care) | ~ 1-2 days for routine activities; tubes remain for 6-18 months | Know More |
Top hospitals for Bilateral Grommets in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ent teams and experience managing patients undergoing bilateral grommets.
Saanvi Shah is a bright and...
Saanvi Shah is a bright and energetic 4-year-old who loves preschool but has struggled to fully participate. For over a year, she has had recurrent ear infections, often requiring multiple courses of antibiotics. Between infections, her parents noticed she was increasingly inattentive, had delayed speech clarity, and would turn up the TV volume excessively. Her pediatrician referred her to an ENT specialist, Dr. Lee, after noting persistent fluid behind both eardrums (glue ear) on several visits. Dr. Lee explained that the fluid was causing conductive hearing loss, impacting Saanvi's speech development and social engagement. He recommended bilateral grommets (tiny ventilation tubes) to drain the fluid and equalize pressure, allowing her middle ears to function normally. The day-surgery procedure under general anesthetic was quick; Saanvi was anxious when separated from her parents but was comforted by the kind nursing staff. Recovery was straightforward with some ear drops and keeping water out of her ears during baths. Within weeks, her parents noticed a dramatic difference. Saanvi was more responsive, her speech improved rapidly, and she became more engaged at school. Emotionally, her parents moved from worry and frustration over her recurrent illnesses and developmental delays to immense relief and joy, seeing their daughter blossom and connect with her world without barrier.
ENT Specialists for Bilateral Grommets
Explore experienced ent specialists who regularly perform bilateral grommets and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 16 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 21 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
- 26 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 43 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 29 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 10 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 19 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 26 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore