Editorial policy

Who writes this site

All editorial content on Earwax Clinic Network is produced by The Hearing Lab Store Ltd. The directory's founders are practising audiologists with decades of UK clinical experience. Editorial review is performed by qualified audiologists before any new page or change goes live.

We do not use anonymous content writers. Every page is reviewed by someone with clinical context, even if drafted with help from AI tools.

Our editorial principles

Method neutrality

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recognises three earwax removal methods - microsuction, ear irrigation and manual removal. All three are valid when matched to the patient by a trained practitioner. We never argue that one method is universally "the safest" or "the best", because the evidence does not support that claim. The right method depends on the individual.

Credential transparency, not credential ranking

We make the credentials of listed practitioners visible. We do not rank or grade them. A hearing aid dispenser registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, an audiologist on the Academy for Healthcare Science register, a nurse registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and a doctor registered with the General Medical Council are all working within their scope of practice. We show you what their credentials are; you decide what matters most for your needs.

No clinical advice

We provide general information about earwax, removal methods and the credentials of UK ear care practitioners. We do not provide clinical advice for individual situations. If you have a specific symptom or concern, see a qualified practitioner.

Source-led claims

Where we make a factual claim, we link to the source. We rely primarily on:

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance
• NHS published guidance
• ENT UK clinical positions
• Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) research
• The published positions of the UK statutory regulators and professional bodies (HCPC, NMC, GMC, GPhC, AHCS, CQC, BSHAA, BAA, AIHHP)

If a source is more than three years old, we mark it as such. If we cannot find a current authoritative source for a claim, we either drop the claim or label it as an editorial position.

No commercial bias

Listed clinics pay a fee to be included. The fee gives a clinic visibility on the map and a profile - nothing else. It does not influence the order in which clinics appear, the credentials we show, or the editorial position of any page. We do not accept payment to favour one clinic over another, and we do not earn affiliate revenue from products or services mentioned on the site.

How we handle conflicts of interest

The Hearing Lab Store Ltd, our operating company, sells audiology equipment and consumables to clinics across the UK. Some of those clinics may also be listed on the Earwax Clinic Network directory. To avoid conflicts of interest:

• Editorial content does not promote The Hearing Lab Store products or services
• Listed clinics receive identical treatment regardless of whether they are a customer of The Hearing Lab Store or not
• Our founders are also clinic owners (Liverpool Hearing Centre). Their clinic is listed on the directory on the same terms as every other clinic, with the same credentials visible

We mention these relationships openly because credibility depends on disclosure.

How we use AI in editorial production

We use AI tools to help draft and structure content. AI does not make final editorial decisions. Every page is reviewed by a qualified audiologist before publication. AI-generated text that does not match clinical reality is rewritten before going live.

Updates and corrections

If we publish something that is wrong, we correct it visibly. Significant corrections to clinical content are noted at the bottom of the affected page with the date of the correction. Minor edits (typos, formatting) are not noted.

If you spot a factual error, email [email protected] and we will investigate within five working days.

What we don't do

We don't publish:

• Sponsored content disguised as editorial
• "Best of" rankings of listed clinics
• Negative coverage of specific competitors or practitioners
• Sensationalist content about earwax risks or removal complications
• Content promoting earwax removal services that lack a clear credential basis (cotton candling, beauty-salon services without medical training, etc.)

Contact

Editorial queries, source suggestions, or corrections:

The Hearing Lab Store Ltd
[email protected]