Harvey gets Grommets - NDCS

Harvey's Hearing Journey

Harvey keeps turning the volume up on the TV. He can’t hear his football friends, or the referee! It seems Harvey can’t hear very well.

At School

Harvey can’t hear his teacher at school.

Visit to the Doctor

Harvey and Mum go to the doctor. The doctor looks in Harvey’s ears and conducts a hearing test. The doctor says that Harvey has glue ear, which is making it hard to hear, and suggests that grommets may help.

Preparing for the Hospital

A few weeks later, Mum helps Harvey pack his favourite toys to stop him from getting bored at the hospital. They wait on the ward, and a doctor comes over to check if Harvey is feeling OK and to discuss what’s going to happen.

The Operation

Harvey is given special medicine, which makes him go to sleep and not feel anything. The doctor puts the grommets in while Harvey is sleeping.

After the Operation

Harvey wakes up and has a rest. He can hear much better now! Mum takes Harvey home. Now everyone’s happy with the TV volume. Harvey can hear his teacher and during football!

To find out more about grommets, visit www.ndcs.org.uk/glueear or contact our Freephone Helpline on 0808 800 8880 (voice and text) or helpline@ndcs.org.uk.

Illustrations by: Tim Bradford (www.illustrationweb.com)

Licence: National Deaf Children’s Society 12/2013–12/2023

Project Lead: Jen Jones

Creative Direction: Al Lander

Published by the National Deaf Children’s Society, November 2018 © National Deaf Children’s Society. Review due November 2021

This publication can be requested in large print or as a text file. Give us your feedback by emailing your comments to informationteam@ndcs.org.uk.

The National Deaf Children’s Society is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 1016532 and in Scotland no. SC040779