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Grommets are usually inserted into the ear drum in the treatment of glue ear.
In the normal ear sound waves travel down the ear canal and vibrate the ear drum. These sound vibrations are transmitted from the ear drum to the inner ear through an air filled space (the “middle ear”) via a chain of 3 small bones. Middle ear ventilation is maintained by the eustachian tube which connects the ear and back of the nose. In children the eustachian tube is not as efficient as it is in adults and poor middle ear ventilation may result. This gives rise to the production of thick mucus in the middle ear which compromises hearing and can predispose to secondary recurrent middle ear infection. Grommets act to ventilate the middle ear to resolve glue ear and restore hearing until eustachian tube function matures.

The operation
In children grommets are inserted under a general anaesthetic lasting a few minutes. A microscope is used to see the ear drum, a small incision is made and the grommet inserted. Some glue may be suctioned from the middle ear at the time of surgery.
Grommet insertion may be performed with adenoidectomy.  

Postoperative recovery
Pain
This is not a painful procedure and paracetomol will usually be sufficient.
Activity
It is reasonable to keep the ears dry for the first 2 weeks whilst the grommets heal into the ear drums. After this period there should be no restriction on activity.  A few children with grommets do suffer ear infection with swimming but most children do not need to restrict their activity. If your child does suffer an infection with water exposure, water precautions may become necessary.