HI Kent Avis 119

I met Jon Lambert from Hi Kent today as I have recently become deaf from meningitis, he was so very helpful explaining what I could expect and how I could get help.He was very understanding in how I felt and cannot praise him highly enough...I feel more confident in going forward and have hope that I am not alone on this journey...thankyou

Hi Kent is now offering a regular ear care service, twice monthly at its Maidstone head office in Brewer Street.
Zoe Holder, the ear specialist, explains thoroughly what help she offers. She took videos of inside my ears and, after asking my permission, used ear suction equipment to clear some wax. The procedure was painless, if a little noisy.
There is a £10 charge for check up, and £40 for ear suction

I called the service after struggling with eustachian tube dysfunction for two weeks. I wanted to enquire about earwax removal and the potential of this causing the problem. Zoe at the service was able to suggest different methods to help with my ear and to be a friendly voice at the other end of the line with expertise around ears and associated issues.

Zoe spent 30 mins on the phone with me offering advice which was incredibly kind and really helped me feel abit more settled. Thank you Zoe for your kindness and time. I really appreciate it.

From the first point of contact, Zoe was exceptional. She guided me through the process of wax removal in a professional and reassuring manner. Suffering from age related hearing loss, my new hearing aids and this procedure has been life changing. Thank you.

Ear wax removal procedure clearly explained and expertly done - and, because they are a charity, they charge the lowest price you can find in Canterbury for such things. Will definitely go to them if and when necessary in the future.

Although this team were unable to help us as my father is registered with Medway they were extremely helpful and professional in all the advice they gave me

For anyone who can remember the introduction of the National Health Service and the relief it provided, not from the fear that a fall from a tree might result in a broken arm but from the terror that the cost of having the arm set in plaster would be a major expense for one's parents, but who also came in time to rely on the NHS for all medical care free at the point of delivery, the shock of realising that now a hearing test cannot be offered in less than two months and that upon examination it would most likely be confirmed that a hearing test could not in fact be carried out because of the presence of earwax and that furthermore ear syringing for the removal of earwax is no longer available under the NHS ... it was a joy to be offered an on the spot examination by Tara Clayton in the M&S Opticians department in Canterbury that confirmed the presence of earwax and to be then forwarded on to Hi-Kent in Canterbury for Microsuction removal of the earwax. Microsuction removal of earwax has to be the gold standard now for the precise and delicate extraction of all debris obstructing the ear canal and the patient explanation of the process and visual confirmation of the condition of both ears after treatment given by Zoe Holder at Hi-Kent was both reassuring and an education in itself. The fact that a free hearing test could then be carried out the following day at M&S Opticians meant that months of worry and frustration were avoided at what must be a comparatively modest cost for the Microsuction treatment.

The service and advice offered is consistently good by very friendly staff. Zoe carried out micro-suction in both my ears very efficiently and took time to explain everything and offer advice.

My experience with HiKent was truly 5star! Not only was the treatment successful but everything was explained clearly at every step, I was reassured and invited to ask questions. The welcome was warm and the staff were friendly. I was impressed by the time that was taken to ensure my comfort and confidence. It is so nice to meet an experienced practitioner who takes the time to include the patient in the whole process and to be treated so well.

Visited the clinic in Maidstone and was met by Zoe
We discussed the procedure and any questions I had were answered in detail.
Following my ear examination it was established that I didn’t need any suction treatment as my problem is a chronic hearing loss which had been diagnosed years ago.
I would totally recommend this service as Zoe is extremely knowledgeable and will never carry out any procedure if it is not necessary

So very, very helpful and understanding!
Such a joy to have a friendly person to guide me!

Wow... What a place this is.
I was struggling with tinnitus and impacted ear wax in both ears.
I met with Zoe in Canterbury after making an appointment who reassured me, explained to me my problems and even showed me photographs of my blocked ear canals.
She was so thorough and caring whilst she 'hoovered' my right ear. It was amazing to see what she extracted. Immediately the tinnitus had gone and I could hear again.
Today I have had my left ear treated after after Zoe's instructions of putting oil in my ear for a week to soften the wax. Result 100% hearing in both ears.
I'm so grateful to Zoe and Hi Kent for their help.
I'd recommend them without hesitation.

I visited HiKent Canterbury today and I can't praise enough, the staff are so helpful, kind and caring, and Zoe managed to do what the NHS couldn't! She even booked me in for a follow up appointment to check my ear is all OK. All this from walking in on the off chance because Kent and Canterbury hospital no longer offer the services they used to. HiKent is a non-funded charity so please support them and use their services.

thank you for fitting me in so quickly to remove a hearing aide ‘plug’ . very efficient and interesting to see the photos of the inside of my ear
very good service

Very polite, efficient and professional team. The visit was very much needed and perhaps even enjoyed.

Visited Hi-Kent at Canterbury to have an ear check and micro-suction if needed. Zoe was excellent, she was so thorough and unrushed. My ears were clear and she showed me the pictures of the inside of my ears, which was reassuring. Would highly recommend this service.

Friendly, professional staff offering independent advice.

I visited the clinic at Tonbridge United Reform Church today 10 October. All I needed were batteries and a bit of advice. The man I saw was very aggressive and loud. He trashed the nhs specification saying that what I had been given at MTW Audiology was not the same as the specification. I asked how he could tell and he replied “Experience”. I’m sure you have many helpful people in your organisation but this man is a disgrace. Being a charity does not give any of your people the right to be so rude.

From the first telephone contact, to the appointment with Jon Lambert, I was treated exceptionally kindly. Jon listened to my concerns regarding my hearing and I have had a special telephone installed, a visit from Fire Safety and have made an appointment with my medical centre. Thank you so much for all the advice.