Grommets - what happens if water gets in the ears?

[Isadora]

DD had grommets put in a few weeks ago and since then we have been careful not to get water in her ears, as instructed by the Dr. So we have been using ear plugs. However being a toddler sometimes she has pulled them out without us noticing etc etc. Its a mission keeping them in. So what happens if a little bit of water gets in?

[Traveller]

My son refuses to use ear plugs so he has often got water in his ears, however at his last check up a month ago the grommets were fine and so was his hearing. I suppose as long as he is not swimming with his head underwater he will be fine.

[~clover~]

Have you tried a swimming cap? We used ear plugs & a swimming cap unless she was washing her hair.

I think its more about infection than anything. I read somewhere that splash water was ok, but dirty or soapy water needs to be avoided. I still avoided all water when possible.
They shouldn't go under water either. The pressure isn't good. DD got an earache just from swimming lessons & I think thats coz she was putting her head under.

You can use vasoline too. I often filled DD's ears with vasoline. After a while it just melts away. They can scratch it out, so you need to watch it, but its easy to put back in & not as easy to loose. I put the vaso in, then a bit of a cotton bud.

[Isadora]

Thanks girls, I wasnt aware of infection possibly occuring from dirty water, but it makes perfect sense. I will give the cap a go, wish me luck lol.

[~clover~]

Good luck I'm lucky DD was 5 & old enough to understand what was going on. Should be fun for you!

[Schmickers]

The risk with water is that it can pass through the grommets into the inner ear, become trapped, and carry germs or infection. Children with grommets who are too little to be trusted to keep earplugs in shouldn't be submerged (ie. in the bath, or in a swimming pool) unless they are under direct supervision to ensure they keep their earplugs in.

Good luck!

[Isadora]

Went to the pool on the weekend, put DD in a bright pink cap lol, but she looked adorable and it worked perfectly.

[ubba82]

You can also buy a headband that fits over their ears and valcros up at the back. DS uses one of these when he's in the shower so I can wash his hair easily. We bought it from Rebel Sport in the swimming section for about $10