Inserting grommets is a common surgical procedure for treating children around the world.
Grommets are most commonly used to help improve hearing for children who have a condition commonly called "glue ear" (persistent otitis media with effusion) in both ears, and for preventing ear infections in children who have frequent middle ear infections.
Grommets are temporary and often fall out after 12–14 months as the ear heals.
 
Guidelines state that tubes are an option in:
Recurrent acute otitis media: three ear infections in six months or four infections in a year.
The evidence for this recommendation; however, is weak.

Chronic otitis media with persistent effusion for six months (one ear) or three months (both ears).

Persistent eustachian tube dysfunction
Barotrauma: Especially for prevention of recurrent episodes (e.g., after air travel, hyperbaric chamber treatment).

Grommets should not be inserted in children who have only one episode of otitis media with effusion (OME) that lasts less than 3 months.
Inserting grommets is a common surgical procedure for treating children around the world. Grommets are most commonly used to help improve hearing for children who have a condition commonly called "glue ear" (persistent otitis media with effusion) in both ears, and for preventing ear infections in children who have frequent middle ear infections. Grommets are temporary and often fall out after 12–14 months as the ear heals.  
Guidelines state that tubes are an option in:
Recurrent acute otitis media: three ear infections in six months or four infections in a year. The evidence for this recommendation; however, is weak.
Chronic otitis media with persistent effusion for six months (one ear) or three months (both ears).
Persistent eustachian tube dysfunction
Barotrauma: Especially for prevention of recurrent episodes (e.g., after air travel, hyperbaric chamber treatment).
Grommets should not be inserted in children who have only one episode of otitis media with effusion (OME) that lasts less than 3 months.
Tympanostomy tube