Scottish hearing firm goes from strength to strength with the opening of new Edinburgh branch

And it’s testament to the family-run company’s impressive growth since it was founded in 2020 – growth which has followed an unconventional path. Rather than the traditional route of identifying locations then recruiting clinicians to operate them, founders Susie Darroch Paterson and her husband Frazer Paterson have built businesses around people they know, respect and believe in.

The new Morningside clinic is being run by Peter Lucas-Herald, a specialist audiologist who studied alongside Frazer at Queen Margaret University and has worked with Almond Hearing since 2021.

After 15 years in the NHS, Peter has taken the significant step into private practice and business ownership, becoming a shareholder and clinical lead at the new Edinburgh clinic.

Meet the couple building a family business

Susie and Frazer opened their first independent hearing care clinic in Livingston six years ago.

Frazer, a trained audiologist, was keen to practise audiology according to his own clinical standards. He had worked across NHS audiology, private practice and hearing technology manufacturing.

These experiences gave him a broad understanding of how hearing care could be delivered.

“Having worked in so many different environments, I wanted the freedom to establish a clinic where the individual came first,” he explains. “We set out to create a clinic where assessments were comprehensive, recommendations were clinically led and long-term care was fundamental to the service.”

This led to the development of Almond Hearing’s distinctive philosophy that blends rigorous individualised audiology with a warm welcome, thanks to Susie’s background as cabin crew with British Airways, latterly working in customer service training.

“None of this was really planned. I’d just had our second baby, I’d been made redundant, and suddenly I was part of an audiology business,” she says of their journey. “Then the pandemic happened. We’ve always just rolled with the punches. Looking back, there’s been a lot of beautiful serendipity in how it’s all come together.”

A company based on exceptional attention to detail

Almond Hearing’s approach is built on the belief that exceptional clinical care and an exceptional client experience should be inseparable.

That means you can expect the highest level of service at one of their clinics, from the carefully designed interiors to the coffee you’re served while you wait for your appointment.

“If we care enough to make sure the flowers look beautiful and the coffee is made properly, imagine how much care we put into the reason you’re actually here: your hearing,” says Susie.

And the pair are justifiably proud of what they have created. “We’ve never really stopped to look at what we’ve achieved. We just keep going. But when I look at our team and read what clients say about the care they’ve received, that’s what makes me proud,” she adds.

What to expect from your visit

According to Susie and Frazer, a hearing assessment should be carried out to understand an individual’s hearing, not simply to sell hearing devices.

Unlike providers who advertise free hearing tests, Almond Hearing charges for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. Clients are given information about their hearing and the options available, allowing them to make informed decisions without an expectation that they will purchase technology.

An appointment begins with a detailed medical and lifestyle history. The audiologist explores previous hearing concerns, relevant medical conditions, occupational or recreational noise exposure and the situations in which someone experiences difficulty. Just as importantly, they take time to understand the person.

The clinical assessment may include:

· Ear health examination: Inspection of the ear canal and eardrum, including video otoscopy, allowing clients to see images of their own ears.

· ENT-grade microscopy: Detailed examination of the ear and microsuction wax removal where appropriate.

· Pure tone audiometry: Measuring hearing thresholds within a soundproof booth using specialist audiological equipment.

· Bone conduction testing: Helping identify the nature of a hearing loss and whether the outer or middle ear is contributing.

· Speech-in-noise testing: Including QuickSIN, which assesses how well an individual understands speech against background noise.

· Tympanometry: Assessing middle-ear function where clinically indicated and available. This is provided at appropriately equipped Almond Hearing locations and is not currently part of the Edinburgh clinic’s equipment provision.

“The assessment is tailored to the individual, and not every test is necessary for every client,” adds Susie.

What happens if you need hearing aids

Where hearing technology is recommended, Almond Hearing offers the opportunity to trial devices in everyday listening environments, typically over a couple of weeks, with flexibility according to individual circumstances.

The business also uses real ear measurements when fitting hearing technology.

This involves placing a fine probe microphone within the ear canal to measure the sound being delivered by a hearing device, allowing the audiologist to verify and adjust the fitting for that individual’s hearing requirements.

It recognises that even two people using identical devices may require significantly different programming.

The choice of technology is guided by the clinician’s assessment and discussion with the client to recommend an appropriate solution for you.

How the Edinburgh clinic is going above and beyond

Alongside hearing assessments, hearing technology and wax removal, the new Edinburgh clinic offers specialist vestibular services under Peter’s clinical leadership.

Vestibular audiology focuses on the balance system, including structures within the inner ear that help the brain understand movement and spatial orientation. Problems affecting this system can cause symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo and unsteadiness.

Peter’s work involves detailed clinical assessment, specialist diagnostic testing and, where appropriate, developing individualised rehabilitation plans. He also provides treatment for certain conditions, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

How to find out more

Almond Hearing’s fifth clinic is now open at 136 Comiston Road, Morningside, Edinburgh.

To book an appointment at any of their clinics or find out more about the services they offer, visit the Almond Hearing website.