Hearing clinic storefront sign.

About The Hearing Clinic

Why I founded The Hearing Clinic

I founded The Hearing Clinic in 2005 with a clear purpose: to deliver the highest quality of hearing healthcare and to set new benchmarks of audiological excellence in a sector that too often prioritises device sales over clinical outcomes.

Over the past two decades, my team and I have built an industry-leading reputation. We regularly see patients from across the UK, and have welcomed patients travelling from as far afield as the Middle East to access our expertise in hearing, tinnitus, and auditory processing. If you’re looking for expert hearing care you can genuinely trust, we’re here.

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Bridgitte Harley, Director & Lead Clinical Audiologist

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Why patients choose The Hearing Clinic – and why they stay

Patients come to The Hearing Clinic for our specialist expertise, clinical independence, and a level of care that goes beyond the standard – and they stay because they experience the difference that makes.

At The Hearing Clinic, we offer a range of specialised tests to form a clear picture of your auditory health. 

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20+ years of specialist audiology in Hertfordshire

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Go-to clinic for complex and unresolved cases

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Completely independent – no manufacturer ties, no sales targets

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CQC-registered – regulated, high-quality hearing care

This is what one of our patients has to say about our APD assessment and management:

“They don’t just treat the condition, they transform lives.”

I just wanted to thank you for all your help and support over the past 10 months, after receiving a very late diagnosis of adult autism I went through most of my life not knowing what was wrong. My diagnosis introduced me to the existence of the comorbid condition of auditory processing disorder. After reading about the general difficulties associated with APD I immediately suspected that I was suffering with this on top of my autism struggles and contacted the clinic for an assessment.

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Trisha was really amazing at my appointment, I was very apprehensive as I am sensitive to light, sound and struggle in social situations. I was treated with such kindness and was allowed to take breaks throughout the session. I found the assessment itself to be incredibly difficult and it became starkly apparent that my brain was not able to process the tasks I was being asked to do. Trisha went above and beyond to get the audiology report to me quickly which was amazingly detailed. It was recommended that I would benefit from Oticon REAL hearing aids, this was a surprise to me as having been assessed for hearing difficulties by the NHS I was informed that hearing aids would not help me due to my hyperacusis and that hearing aids would make this condition worse. This advice turned out to be completely inaccurate and I am so pleased that I contacted The Hearing Clinic for a second opinion.

Having worn the hearing aids now for over 2 months my quality of life has improved beyond words, I do not suffer with as many headaches, the tinnitus I was experiencing has completely gone and my mental clarity in being able to deal with day to day tasks has changed my life. I have spare energy left over in the evening to be able to communicate with family and I have tolerated going into a supermarket for more than 10 minutes. It took me a while to realise how the hearing aids were helping as I couldn’t tell an immediate difference in what I was hearing, the processor is now handling the brunt of the sound instead of my brain getting in a tangle over multiple sounds at the same volume. You do not know what you are missing in conversations until you can hear every word. Without the hearing aids my brain would only process a handful of words correctly in a sentence and I was guessing words which were missing as my brain simply wouldn’t hear the entire sentence. Doing this every single day is exhausting and lead to feeling very unwell on a daily basis not to mention frustrating family members due to not hearing them properly which lead to a lot of miscommunication! I can now pick out individual sounds and this technology has allowed me to listen to Youtube videos as the hearing aids allow you to stream directly from your PC and phone. I am finally able to use the phone without experiencing motion sickness and fatigue after every interaction and I no longer have to put subtitles on the TV. My problems were particularly noticeable when I was at school over 2 decades ago when teachers used to inform my parents that I simply didn’t listen in class or I was daydreaming and not paying attention. For anyone not sure whether APD is worth the assessment and support or if you are a parent of a child struggling to hear I cannot stress how much you need to talk to the Hearing Clinic, I wholeheartedly recommend their services; they don’t just treat the condition, they transform lives, thank you for everything!

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Built on twenty years of clinical conviction

The Hearing Clinic was founded in St Albans in 2005 by Clinical Audiologist and Director Bridgitte Harley to create a practice where clinical excellence drives every recommendation.

At the time, patients chose between NHS services, often limited by time, or high-street providers shaped by sales. Bridgitte set out to build something different: a specialist clinic with the time, tools, and independence to do audiology properly.

Twenty years on, the clinic has grown to three Hertfordshire locations, with a specialist team and a reputation that draws patients from across the UK and beyond – all while maintaining its founding ethos of thorough, clinician-led care.

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CQC registered – what that means for you

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. CQC registration means that The Hearing Clinic has been independently assessed against national standards for safety, effectiveness, and quality of care, and has been found to meet them.

CQC registration is not universal among private audiology clinics. Many independent practices and high-street hearing centres operate without it. For patients choosing where to place their trust – and their hearing health – it is one of the clearest independent signals of clinical standards available.

Private hearing care done properly. Your appointment is waiting

Book with our specialist team at hearing clinics in Radlett, Hitchin and Welwyn – no GP referral needed, and appointments often available within days.

Reasons to Choose The Hearing Clinic

There are many ways to access hearing care. These are the reasons patients consistently choose The Hearing Clinic – and why so many continue their hearing care with us for years.

  • Known for resolving complex cases
    The Hearing Clinic is widely trusted by GPs, ENT consultants and audiologists to resolve complex cases where standard approaches haven’t worked.
  • Specialising in Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
    We are one of the few UK hearing clinics specialising in APD, offering in-depth assessments and detailed reports with clear, actionable recommendations.
  • A reputation for redefining audiological best practice
    We go beyond standard best practice by investing in advanced technology, clinical verification, and continually evolving our approach to hearing care.
  • Three specialist hearing clinics across Hertfordshire
    Our hearings clinics in Hitchin, Radlett and Welwyn offer specialist care in calm, well-equipped environments designed around patient experience.
  • Compassionate care as standard
    We prioritise clear communication, responsiveness and unhurried appointments, so patients feel informed, supported and never pressured.
  • The most advanced hearing evaluation available
    Our hearing assessments go beyond standard hearing tests, combining advanced diagnostics and real-ear measurement to build a complete, clinically precise treatment plan.
  • Proudly independent
    As a fully independent hearing clinic, our recommendations are driven solely by clinical need – not sales targets or manufacturer ties.
  • Trusted by thousands
    Since 2005, we’ve helped thousands of patients improve their hearing, as reflected in consistently strong patient feedback.
  • Committed for the long haul
    We provide long-term support with structured follow-up and a four-year care plan, because hearing care is an ongoing process.

Have a question before you book? We’d love to hear from you

Whether you want to understand more about a specific service, talk through a complex or long-standing hearing problem, or simply find out what to expect – our team will answer your questions honestly and help you decide on the right next step. Complete the form and we’ll call you back.

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