Microsuction Technique and Safety Assurance

Hearology is one of only a handful of Audiologists in the country to have their services externally validated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to assure rigorous safety, hygiene and clinical quality standards. The CQC is an independent regulator that carries out regular inspections to ensure that all health and social care providers meet the required standards of quality and safety and it’s staggering but true that CQC regulation is optional for the ear cleaning sector in the UK. We chose to submit ourselves voluntarily to the CQC’s scrutiny precisely because we wanted credible, external and objective validation of our superior safety, hygiene and clinical quality standards compared to the many service providers who also operate in this space without having to meet the rigorous quality and safety standards that the CQC insist on. 

As far as Covid measures are concerned at Hearology, it’s at your personal discretion if you wish to wear a mask or not whilst you are with us – but we no longer insist upon it. Our clinicians, however, will continue to wear mask and gloves for all their appointments, unless their mask is impeding communication, in which case they will take it off at your request.

Steps

1

Patient history

2

Microscopic examination of the ear canals and ear drums

3

Gentle removal of blockage

4

Microscopic re-examination and final checks

5

Better hearing and healthy ears

Ears we've cared for 226572

Call us on 0203 747 4615 or book an appointment:

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Steps

1

Patient history

2

Microscopic examination of the ear canals and ear drums

3

Gentle removal of blockage

4

Microscopic re-examination and final checks

5

Better hearing and healthy ears

State-of-the-art Equipment

To increase the safety and comfort of your experience, Hearology only uses ENT surgical binocular microscopes. Microscopes of this specification provide the in-depth awareness our specialists need to work with absolute precision within the tiny space of the ear canal. Most other ear cleaning clinics only use magnifying goggles, which provide less accuracy during the procedure because of their inferior magnification and lack of 3D vision.

We are also one of the few to use ENT-grade suction units, which provide quiet, safe, controlled suction superior to the portable suction units typically used. We only use sterile, single-use tubes and sterile, single-use suction tips.

  • The Hearology Way

  • The Hearology Way

Call us on 0203 747 4615 or book an appointment:

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Hearology Victoria Services

  • £70

    Microsuction Ear Cleaning Service

    15 mins

  • £70

    Ear Health Consultation

    15 mins

  • £200

    Ear Infection Treatment/Prescription Service

    30 mins

  • £129

    Aural Foreign Body Removal

    15 mins

  • £199

    Paediatric Ear Cleaning (aged 3 - 12)

    30 mins

  • £89

    Paediatric Ear Cleaning (aged 13 - 17)

    15 mins

  • £89

    Paediatric Ear Health Consultation (aged 13 - 17)

    15 mins

  • £199

    Paediatric Aural Foreign Body Removal (aged 3 - 12)

    30 mins

  • £129

    Paediatric Aural Foreign Body Removal (aged 13 - 17)

    15 mins

  • £FoC

    Hearing Screening

    30 mins

  • £25

    Video Hearing Test

    45 mins

  • £99

    Diagnostic Hearing Test

    60 mins

  • £249

    Tinnitus Assessment

    90 mins

  • £160

    Balance Programme

    75 mins

Please note that if there is no blockage to clear, we do not offer a reduced, ‘consultation only’ price because it is important that the causes of the perceived blockage are investigated. We carry out this investigation with our Ear Health Consultation service, the price of which remains at £89.

If it is not possible to clean the ear completely at the first sitting, e.g. if there is stubborn wax or if the ear canal is sensitive, then you can come back to see us for free follow-up appointments until the job is done – as long as these appointments take place within two weeks of the original appointment.

All our prices are the same if one or both ears are treated. We do not offer a ‘single ear only’ price because we set up our ear cleaning appointments (including clinic time) based on the likelihood that both ears will need cleaning – even if only one feels blocked. Sometimes it really is only one ear that needs cleaning, however, at Hearology, this will not result in a reduced price being charged.

Call us on 0203 747 4615 or book an appointment:

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If There’s No Microscope, Then It’s Not Microsuction

The microsuction technique derives its name from the use of a microscope to carry out the procedure. The use of a microscope is important not just because of the magnification but also because of the depth-of-field awareness it provides. Without this depth-of-field awareness, it is very difficult for the clinician to judge the location of the eardrum. Only by using an ENT-grade microscope is it possible to carry out the microsuction procedure safely, which is why Hearology only uses ENT-grade microscopes – and not, like many others do, magnification goggles.

Team

Expert Audiologists, ENT Specialists and Microsuction Pioneers. A distinguished, international team of experts from different fields of ear care and speaking a variety of different languages to ensure that you and your ears receive the best possible care.

  • Vincent Howard

    BSc (Hons), CECP, HCPC

  • Bridget McCubbin

    BSc (Hons), RGN

  • Kenny Hau

    BSc (Hons), MSc (Aud), HCPC

  • Caro Omolaiye

    BSc (Hons), HCPC

  • Simon Harrison

    BCommPath Audiology (Hons), MAud, RCCP, HCPC

  • Bernadette Wilson-Bristol

    BSc (Hons), RN

  • Michael Field

    B.Ed, HCPC

  • Rose Duncan

    BSc (Hons), RN

  • Norani Lucas

    FDSc, HCPC, B.Mus, DipTCL.Mus

  • Kristina Pinterova

    DipHE, RN

  • Stephen Archer

    BSA, RCCP

  • Harry Davidson

    BSc (Hons), MSc, CAC, RCCP

  • Aida Lopes

    BASLP, RCCP

  • Kaye Stiemer

    BCommPath Audiology (Hons), HCPC

  • Micaela Stonestreet

    BA (Speech Pathology and Audiology), HCPC

Vincent Howard is a Health and Care Professions Council-registered Clinical Audiologist with expertise in aural microsuction (including paediatric ear cleaning), hearing and balance, diagnostic hearing assessments and Hearing Aid technology.

Vincent has experience of working in both NHS and private audiology settings and ran Amplifon’s flagship store in High Street Kensington before co-founding Hearology.

Vincent contracted tinnitus from standing too close to the speakers at a Motörhead concert as a teenager and his search for a solution to the ringing sound in his head led him to his career in audiology. As can be seen from Vincent’s many five-star reviews across Hearology’s various review platforms, he has found his true calling!

Bridget McCubbin is a Senior ENT Nurse Practitioner registered with both the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Royal College of Nursing. She has a BSc (Hons) in Professional Practice in Nursing, an ENB Higher Award and an ENB certificate in ENT Nursing.

Bridget has over 26 years of extended ENT experience, which includes managing an ENT operating theatre and an ENT pre-operative assessment clinic as well as significant time spent working in acute ENT care and an NHS urgent referral clinic.

Bridget has worked at Hearology since 2017 and has recently added prescribing for ear infections to her extensive repertoire. Bridget is a highly skilled and caring practitioner and nowhere is this more apparent than in her paediatric work.

Bridget also speaks Igbo (Nigerian).

Kenny Hau is a Health and Care Professions Council-registered Clinical Audiologist with a Master’s in Audiology from Manchester University. He specialises in adult diagnostic hearing assessments, Hearing Aid dispensing and aural microsuction.

Kenny has a number of years of experience in private audiology, having previously worked at Amplifon and Specsavers, as well as internationally at Bay Audiology in New Zealand.

Kenny is highly qualified and also has a very approachable nature, the combination of which makes him well and truly the caring expert that everyone wants when dealing with a medical professional.

Caro Omolaiye is a Health and Care Professions Council-registered Clinical Audiologist with an aural microsuction specialism, including paediatric ear cleaning.

Caro has worked in a variety of NHS and private healthcare settings, including Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, Specsavers and Scrivens.

Caro has a caring style and is extremely patient, as evidenced by her many five-star reviews across Hearology’s various review platforms. These attributes are particularly useful in her paediatric work.

Simon Harrison is a Health and Care Professions Council-registered Clinical Audiologist with a Master’s in Audiology. He has expertise in aural microsuction (including paediatric ear cleaning), hearing and balance, communication pathology and ototoxicity, diagnostic hearing assessments and Hearing Aid technology.

Simon has a number of years of experience in all areas of audiological diagnostics, having previously worked at the Greytown Specialised MDR TB Audiology department in South Africa and at the Berkshire NHS Trust where he provided Hearing Aid rehabilitation services for their adult department, focusing on the management of advanced cases.

Simon joined Hearology in 2017 and is now Hearology’s Clinical Operations Director and CQC Registered Manager, responsible for all safety and quality aspects of our clinical service delivery.

Bernadette Wilson-Bristol qualified with Honours in Nursing and ENT and has 25 years of extended ENT experience.

Bernadette is registered with both the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Royal College of Nursing and was a Sister ENT Practitioner at the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital outreach service at Edgware Community and Finchley Memorial Hospitals.

Sister Bernadette is also a vastly experienced aural microsuction trainer and an expert in paediatric ear care. She has been with us since 2016 and we are very lucky to have her here with us at Hearology.

Michael Field is a Health and Care Professions Council-registered Audiologist and Tinnitus Lay Counsellor. His international career to date has spanned 36 years and taken in speech pathology, Hearing Aid dispensing and aural microsuction.

Michael found his vocation as an Audiologist due to his father’s deafness (caused by his time with the 10th Royal Hussars Tank Regiment) and his daughter’s hearing loss resulting from a mastoidectomy.

Michael has been with Hearology since 2015 and is now a Director of the company. He is a resident of Forest Row in East Sussex and established our Shop-Clinic there. You will not meet a kinder, more generous person.

Michael also speaks German.

Rose Duncan is registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and began her professional career working as a Residential Social Worker. It was the importance she placed on care and development that led her to move to the Royal Free Hospital, initially as a Care Assistant and then later as a Nurse.

In 2010, Rose specialised as an ENT Nurse, which culminated in her leadership of the aural microsuction training programme for ENT Nurses from 2017 until 2020.

Rose has retired now, but still enjoys working part-time in Hearology’s clinics. Remarkably, some of her former patients from the NHS have sought her out since she’s been with us!

Norani Lucas is a Health and Care Professions Council-registered Clinical Audiologist with an aural microsuction specialism. Norani’s original training was as a classical musician. Besides appearing as a solo oboist, she has performed with various chamber music groups and orchestras internationally.

Prior to joining Hearology, Norani was the (Hearcare Joint Venture Partnership) Director for Audiology at Specsavers, Stratford, London where she was responsible for running a total of five stores in the area.

Norani’s compassionate nature is what makes her a great Audiologist and aural microsuction practitioner and this nature is reflected in her dedication to charitable work in support of deprived children – namely, committee membership of one South Asian and two UK charities.

Kristina Pinterova is an ENT Nurse Practitioner with 23 years of experience in ENT nursing.

Kristina is registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and holds a Nursing Diploma.

Kristina joined the Royal National ENT Hospital in London in 2008 where she developed her aural microsuction specialism working in the ENT Outpatients department. Kristina has worked at Hearology since 2019 and her skillset extends to paediatric care.

Kristina also speaks Hungarian and Slovak.

Stephen Archer is an Audiologist of 37 years standing who is registered with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists.

Stephen originally qualified from the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital and went on to serve in several of their advanced, clinical departments including diagnostic audiology in the ENT Outpatients department.

Stephen’s caring approach and charming manner are in evidence from his many five-star reviews across Hearology’s various review platforms.

Harry Davidson is a highly skilled aural microsuction practitioner and is also Hearology’s lead balance and vestibular specialist.

Harry is registered with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists, has a BSc in Pharmacology, an MSc in Audiology and a Certificate of Audiological Competence – one of the profession’s most prestigious qualifications. This qualification, which Harry gained in 2007 after three years at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, allows him to work across all areas of audiology, including vestibular assessment and rehabilitation. Harry has since helped to rehabilitate countless patients with a variety of complex hearing and balance problems.

Harry has worked at Hearology since 2018, predominantly out of our Victoria clinic – which is why Hearology’s balance service is based there.

Harry also speaks French.

Aida is a Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists-registered Clinical Audiologist and Hearing Therapist with a Bachelor’s in Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology from Manipal University (Karnataka, India). She is now studying for a Master’s in Advanced Audiology at UCL.

Aida’s many specialisms include aural microsuction, adult diagnostic hearing assessment, adult hearing rehabilitation, tinnitus assessment and rehabilitation and auditory processing disorder rehabilitation.

Aida has worked in a variety of NHS and private healthcare settings including Charing Cross and St. George’s University Hospitals and has extensive knowledge and experience with complex cases.

Aida also speaks Hindi and Konkani.

Kaye Stiemer is a Health and Care Professions Council-registered Clinical Audiologist with a BCommPath Audiology (Hons). She specialises in adult diagnostic hearing assessments and hearing aid dispensing.

Kaye has a number of years experience in both the public and private sector. She has extensive understanding of the hearing rehabilitation process from experience gained in both rehabilitation and psychiatric hospital departments. She has also worked in rural clinics and schools in her native South Africa, environments with very limited resources where she strived to provide the best outcome for her patients despite challenging conditions.

Kaye is friendly and empathetic and grateful to work in a field where she has the opportunity every day to improve her clients’ quality of life by enabling a greater connection with the world and people around them.

Micaela Stonestreet is a Health and Care Professions Council-registered Audiologist with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology. She has expertise in aural microsuction, diagnostic hearing assessments, hearing aid technology and tinnitus management.

Micaela has experience in diagnostic audiology and tinnitus management, having previously worked as a speech pathologist and audiologist at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital in South Africa and subsequently as a clinical audiologist in a tinnitus specialist private practice in Johannesburg, before moving into private practice in the United Kingdom.

Micaela is committed to delivering patient-centered care, with a holistic approach to communication, hearing, and tinnitus management. Her compassionate and patient nature ensures that her clients feel comfortable and at ease throughout their visits, which is especially important for her tinnitus clients.

Why microsuction?

The microsuction technique is widely regarded as the safest, most comfortable and quickest means of ear cleaning. No outdated ear syringing, messy oil treatment or dangerous and ineffective Hopi ear candles! Our specialist microsuction equipment, in the hands of our trained experts, is far safer and more comfortable than other forms of ear wax removal….

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Simple And Safe Microsuction Ear Cleaning Service

  • Safe – Surgical microscopes for precision and safety

  • Comfortable – ENT-grade microsuction unit for gentle cleaning

  • Specialist – Impacted and on-eardrum wax removal

  • Full Service – In-house ENT and Audiology expertise

Call us on 0203 747 4615 or book an appointment:

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  • Full Service – In-house ENT, Audiology and Balance Expertise

    Highly qualified, registered Clinical Audiologists; some of the most experienced ENT nurses in the country; Hearing and Balance specialists.

  • Professional and Convenient

    Our reviews testify to the professionalism of our staff and the excellence of our facilities – click on the green star in the ‘Google rating’ box on the homepage to read them for yourself. We have several clinics in London and highly responsive telephone teams to ensure that we are always available and accessible for you.

  • Safe, Registered and Insured

    Safety is our priority and we pride ourselves in making the procedure as effective, comfortable and efficient as possible. We also offer free follow-up appointments to ensure that the blockage can be removed in its entirety as safely and comfortably as possible. You can rest assured that all our clinical practitioners have all the necessary registrations and insurance in place.

Call us on 0203 747 4615 or book an appointment:

Please Choose a Date