'Can my child swim with grommets?' Are we giving parents clear and consistent advice?

BACKGROUND

Guidance on swimming after grommet insertion remains inconsistent. While some studies suggest minimal risk of infection without precautions, clinical advice varies significantly. Parents frequently express a need for clear, standardised information to help them confidently manage their child's swimming activities.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the advice currently given to parents and determine whether updated resources are needed.

METHOD: Between 1 March and 30 June 2025, 28 children underwent grommet insertion at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital, Brighton. Responses were obtained from 18 parents using a structured telephone questionnaire comprising 11 questions exploring advice received and precautions followed regarding swimming. A free-text section allowed for additional comments. Parents were contacted individually to complete the survey.

RESULTS

Most parents were advised to avoid swimming for 2 weeks post-operatively. Beyond that, guidance varied, particularly regarding earplug use, submersion, and diving. While most received advice from ENT surgeons or nursing staff, nearly 20% relied on social media or parenting forums. Many expressed concerns about their child swimming with grommets, especially related to ear infections or the grommets falling out. A substantial proportion (27.8%) found the advice unclear or inconsistent, and 27.9% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the amount and clarity of information provided.

CONCLUSION

Advice on swimming after grommet insertion is highly variable. Many parents remain uncertain or anxious about the risks. The current authors plan to develop a standardised leaflet and website to support families and guardians, and will re-survey to assess whether these resources improve parental confidence.