Show Me Where Ear, nose and throat Glue ear and grommets

Glue ear and grommets explorer

A 3D picture to support a conversation with your ENT team, audiologist or GP. It does not diagnose or recommend treatment.

All topics Guide

For the clinician

Set up from what you see

The model starts with a healthy ear, with air in the middle ear. Add what you found on examination and hearing tests, then show a grommet if one is planned.

Ear

Which ear

Middle ear

Fluid behind the ear drum

What the fluid is like

Full, thick fluid pushes the ear drum outwards. Changing this adds fluid if there is none.

Blocked tube to the back of the nose (Eustachian tube) Hole in the ear drum (perforation)

Treatment

Grommet

With a grommet in, the model shows air passing into the middle ear. Remove the fluid to show the ear once it has drained.

Tip

Use Through the otoscope to show what you see on the ear drum. Use Show / hide to turn labels and parts on or off, and Snapshot to collect views for a picture sheet.

Drag to turn · scroll or pinch to zoom

In plain words

Grommets

What happens

Waiting first: Glue ear often clears up on its own within about 3 months, so your team may check hearing again before deciding on treatment. Hearing aids are another option.
The operation: A short operation under general anaesthetic, usually as a day case. A tiny cut is made in the ear drum and the grommet is placed in it. It takes about 15 minutes for both ears.
Afterwards: Hearing often improves straight away. There may be a little discharge for a few days. Your team will tell you about swimming and keeping water out of the ears.
When it comes out: Grommets usually fall out on their own after 6 to 12 months as the ear drum heals. You may not notice.

About the ear

Typical adult sizes. Everyone’s ear is a little different.

Share with the patient

Make a picture sheet to send

Set up each view you want, then press Snapshot above the model. You can add up to 4. If you add none, the current view is used.

Prepared for (optional)

Clinic or contact (optional)

Note for the patient (optional)

Include the plain-words summary Include what grommets involve (when a grommet is shown) Include where to get help and information Add a page explaining the labels in plain English Add a QR code that reopens this picture (holds the model settings only, never the name or notes)

Names and notes typed here never leave this device and are forgotten when you close the page. Check the sheet before sending, and use your organisation's approved secure route.

For the patient and family

Help and information

If a child has severe ear pain, a high temperature, swelling behind the ear, or is very unwell, contact your GP urgently or call NHS 111.

The QR code lets the patient open this site on their own phone. Nothing about this appointment goes with it.

This is a simplified teaching model. Shapes and sizes are approximate and will differ from any one person. It does not replace the examination or the advice of the person treating you. Not a medical device · Nothing is saved.