ear infections and grommets

how many ear infections ans over what time frame do they class kids as needing grommets???
DD2 is on her 3rd in 10 weeks and im a little concerned thats it too many too quickly.

anyone help??

DS has grommits.. I actually can't remember how many he had, i didn't think it was all that often, but everytime he got a cold he would end up with an ear infection.

When we went to the ENT (we thought he had an auditory Processing disorder), it was he who said the eardrums are dull, which is a sign that there is gunk under there, needing grommits.

Maybe just go to and ENT, who can have a really good look at them and see if it is needed. I know realise that this was the cause of a lot of his speaking and behaviour problems, he couldn't hear properally to speak (couldn't hear himself either), and couldn't sit down and concentrate on something (other than if he was building somehting alone) because he didn't understand what was going on and got bored. I wish i had known earlier i would have got them ages ago!

I'd get a referral to an ENT now because coming up to the silly season you probably wont get an appointment till next year by now and you don't want to wait longer than necessary. To me, it doesn't seem right that she's is having so many in such a short time and I think because of her age that it would be best to get onto it quickly because it can start to impair hearing if they have too many and get a backup of fluid in there.

thanks yael and sherie, im very concerned about hearing issues and would rather see things done soooner rather than later, might ring and talk to my normal GP as i saw someone else today,

Sounds like a plan Jols :). I too would get onto it, as you know wait times for specialists can be crazy. Hopefully you won't need it, but if you don't have an appointment you can bet that you'll need one!!!!!!!!! I hope Millie is better soon, poor poppet :(. You know where I am......:hug:

ETA Oh, and I'd talk to the GP too about whether your DH is onto something.....

Olive, how did you go with getting a referal to see an ENT? Yes I would be concerned about 3 infections in the space of 10 weeks too. I have just seen an ENT Dr with my 2 yr old who informed me that 4-6 infections within the space of 6 months is worrying, so your DD is well on the way to that amount unfortunately. My DD just had her grommets put in yesterday and the procedure was quick and she was back to her normal self within an hr of having it. She also had mild hearing loss due to the fluid build up, which can in turn affect language. So definately see an ENT, if you havent done so already.

thanks madsmum!! if/when she gets another one im going to get a referral to an ENT dude! id rather do something sooner rather than later, i hope DD is recovering well :hug:
will her hearing improve now?

Well my DS doesn't get ear infections, but he has now failed 2 hearing tests, and has fluid on both ears. So my advice is to get on to it ASAP. DS has some language and behaviour problems which are probably caused by his ears. We are still waiting for our follow up appt, and he will prob have to get grommets

Olive, yep we have actually started to notice a difference already, she seems to be more understanding of what we say to her, she has also popped out a few new words since the op and some words she was not clearly prounouncing prior to the op she can now clearly say. I am just happy to know that she wont have ear aches as much anymore, hopefully she will have none?

lilima, I can understand how hearing loss can reflect in their behaviour. I am hoping our DD's behaviour improves, I dont know if its maybe just an age thing, but we will see. I hope you can get your DS in soon.

My boytwin had no ear infections, but he did fail all his hearing tests and was diagnosed moderately deaf at aged 5 months. At 15 months he had grommets inserted to see if it helped, and they did another hearing test under GA. They discovered he was not deaf at all (the day I handed back the hearing aids was so wonderful) but he had very severe glue ear. Within the next week after he op he also learned how to stand on his own and walk, so there was obvious effects on his balance too

Basically what I am saying is don't underestimate the effect grommets can have. If you are worried push for a referral and go private for your first referral if you need to, they can they refer you back to the public system for the operation once the problem is diagnosed. In the interim perhaps try chiropractic care, as this can have some good success with ear infections.

Traveller, what a great outcome. I can just imagine your happiness in handing back the hearing aids. I'm glad your DS is doing well now.