If you've ever looked into getting your hearing checked and found yourself Googling some local clinics, you'll know that there's no shortage of options.

High street hearing chains are everywhere, and for many people, they're the first port of call. But before you book, it's worth understanding what you're actually signing up for and what you might be missing out on.

We're Hawthorn Hearing, an independent audiology practice based in Westerham, Kent, run by two audiologists with a combined clinical experience of more than 20 years.

We're not part of a chain.

We're not owned by a hearing aid manufacturer.

And we genuinely believe that makes a difference, so let us explain why.

What Does "Independent" Actually Mean?

When we say we're independent, we mean it in two important ways.

1. We're not owned by or affiliated with any hearing aid manufacturer.

   This matters more than most people realise. Some high street hearing chains carry their own branded range of hearing aids, which are manufactured by one of the major hearing aid companies and rebranded for that retailer. It's a commercial arrangement, and it creates an obvious question: if a clinic sells its own branded device, is there a financial incentive to recommend it regardless of whether it's the right fit for you?

   At Hawthorn Hearing, we work with all of the leading manufacturers: Phonak, Oticon, Starkey, Widex, Signia, Resound, Unitron, and Bernafon. We have no preferred brand, no manufacturer relationship, and no incentive to recommend one device over another. Our recommendation is based purely on your hearing profile, your lifestyle, and your preferences. That's it.

2. You speak with the people who run the practice.

   When you contact us, you're speaking directly to the people who own and run the practice. Not a call centre. Not a rotating roster of locum clinicians. Us. Every appointment, every follow-up, every question, you'll hear a familiar voice, because continuity of care isn't an afterthought for us. It's the whole point.

High Street Hearing Chains vs. Hawthorn Hearing: The Honest Comparison

Here's where things get practical. Let's look at what a typical high street hearing appointment looks like compared to what we offer.

Appointment Time

A standard hearing assessment at most high street chains runs to around 60 minutes. Ours runs to 120 minutes. That extra hour isn't padding. It's the difference between a tick-box evaluation and a genuinely thorough conversation about your hearing, your health history, your lifestyle, and what matters most to you day to day. For earwax removal, many high street clinics offer around 30 minutes. We offer 60 minutes, because we'd rather take our time and do it properly than rush you out the door.

Follow-Up Care

After an appointment with most high street chains, that's largely it unless you pay for another session. We include a free follow-up appointment after any standard visit, because questions always come up once you've had time to process your results, and you shouldn't have to pay to ask them.

Hearing Aid Trials

Choosing a hearing aid is a big decision, and it's one that's very hard to make in a clinic. That's why we offer free hearing aid demonstrations and two-week trials of any device we recommend. You take it home, wear it in your real life, and then decide. No pressure. No commitment.

Earwax Removal as Aftercare

Some high street chains don't even offer earwax removal. For those that do, it's typically a separate paid service. When you purchase a hearing aid through Hawthorn Hearing, earwax removal is included as part of your aftercare, free of charge, for as long as you need it. We also offer same-day earwax removal for those who need it urgently.

Home Visits

This one is simple: most high street clinics don't offer them. We do, and we think it's one of the most important things we provide. Whether you're an elderly patient who finds travel difficult, a busy professional in Sevenoaks who can't easily take time off, or a family member trying to arrange care for a parent in a care home in Oxted, we come to you. A full, clinic-standard hearing assessment, tinnitus consultation, or earwax removal appointment, delivered wherever you need it across Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and South London. State-of-the-art equipment. The same quality of care you'd receive in our Westerham clinic.