Grommet insertion (glue ear surgery) cost in the UK: what you pay privately (2026)

Private grommet insertion places tiny tubes in the eardrum to drain fluid from the middle ear, to treat persistent glue ear causing hearing loss, usually in children and occasionally in adults.

Hospital price pages give a first idea of scale. The grommet insertion (glue ear surgery) entries we retrieved sat between £2,281 to £3,365; the rows below show which hospital and which variant each figure refers to.

None of these numbers is an offer to treat. Providers confirm a final price after assessment, and consultant or anaesthetist fees may be set separately.

Under anaesthetic, the surgeon makes a tiny cut in the eardrum, sucks out the fluid and places a small tube in the opening. The operation takes only a few minutes per ear.

A hearing test after surgery shows the benefit. Ask whether the price covers follow-up tests and what happens if the grommets block or fall out early.

A single guide figure for grommet insertion (glue ear surgery) can mislead, because the final amount depends on factors like these.

• Child or adult: children usually need a general anaesthetic with a paediatric-trained team, while some adults can have the procedure under local anaesthetic.

• One ear or both: most children have both ears done together.

• Adenoid surgery at the same time: adenoidectomy is sometimes combined, which adds time and cost.

• Hospital pricing: published prices ranged from £2,281 to £3,365 in the lists we retrieved.

• Hearing tests before and after: audiometry and tympanometry are usually separate from the operation.

Providers define a package differently, so two quotes are only comparable once you line up what each covers. The table lists what is typically in and what is often billed separately for this procedure.

Insurers usually cover grommet insertion for persistent glue ear with documented hearing loss, with authorisation.

Insurers often agree a procedure code and a fee ceiling in advance. Self-pay patients should ask whether instalment finance is offered and what the total repayable would be, as the representative rate and terms differ by lender.

NHS guidelines advise a period of watchful waiting for glue ear before grommets, then surgery if hearing loss persists, so private care may speed up the timing but follows the same criteria.

NHS care is free at the point of use, and for non-urgent consultant-led treatment the standard is 18 weeks from referral. You also have the right to choose where you are referred in England. Local waits differ, so ask what applies near you.

Children usually go home the same day and return to normal activity within a day or two, with advice on swimming and ear protection.

No one plans for things to go wrong, but a short conversation about extra costs now can save difficulty later.

• Grommets fall out after months and glue ear can return, sometimes needing repeat surgery; ask about the chance and whether a second operation is covered.

• Ear infection with discharge can occur while grommets are in, and water precautions may be advised.

Quotes only compare fairly when they cover the same things. Put these questions to every provider you approach.

• Does the price cover both ears and the anaesthetic?

• Is adenoid surgery being considered, and what would that add?

• Are hearing tests included?

• What is the plan if glue ear returns?

• Will I receive one price covering the hospital, the consultant and the anaesthetic, or several bills from different parties?