Editorial Policy

This policy is published publicly at hearingaid.org.uk/editorial-policy and applies to all content produced for or published on the Hearing Aid UK website, including articles, product descriptions, FAQs, guides, and any other written materials.

1. Our Purpose

Hearing Aid UK exists to help people in the UK make informed, confident decisions about their hearing health. Our content is written and published to serve our readers first — to educate, inform, and guide — not primarily to drive search engine traffic or promote commercial outcomes.

Hearing health is a 'Your Money or Your Life' (YMYL) topic. Decisions made on the basis of our content can meaningfully affect a person's physical well-being, social quality of life, and financial circumstances. We take that responsibility seriously, and it underpins every aspect of how we create and maintain our content.

2. Who Creates Our Content

2.1 Content Authors

All articles, guides, FAQs, and educational content on hearingaid.org.uk are written by qualified medical content professionals with demonstrable expertise in hearing healthcare. Author bylines appear on every substantive content page and link to a full author profile.

Our primary content author is:

2.2 Clinical Reviewers

All content that contains clinical, diagnostic, or treatment-related information is reviewed and approved by a named, HCPC-registered audiologist before publication. The clinical reviewer's name, qualifications, and HCPC registration number are displayed on each reviewed page.

Our primary clinical reviewer is:

Our clinical reviewer is responsible for:

• Verifying the clinical accuracy of all factual statements.
• Ensuring content aligns with current NICE guidelines, NHS guidance, and established audiological best practice.
• Flag any content that requires updating following changes in clinical evidence or guidance.
• Approving the publication of new clinical content and substantive updates to existing content.

You can verify the HCPC registration of any named audiologist at hcpc-uk.org using their registration number.

2.3 Our Audiologist Network

Hearing Aid UK works with a nationwide network of over 200 independent audiologists, all of whom are fully qualified and HCPC-registered. Individual audiologists contribute expertise, clinical insights, and first-hand experience to content through reviewed quotes, case studies, and "From the Audiologist" commentary featured within articles.

Individual audiologist profiles — including HCPC numbers, qualifications, and areas of specialism — are published at hearingaid.org.uk/audiologists-team.

3. How Content Is Created

3.1 Our Content Process

Every piece of substantive content on Hearing Aid UK follows this production process:

• Research — The author researches the topic using established clinical sources (see Section 5).
• Drafting — Content is drafted with the reader's informational needs as the primary goal.
• Clinical review — The draft is reviewed by our named clinical reviewer for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with current guidance.
• Editing — The content is edited for clarity, readability, and tone, ensuring it is accessible to a general audience without sacrificing accuracy.
• Publication — Content is published with a clear byline, clinical reviewer credit, publication date, and last reviewed date.
• Ongoing review — All clinical content is reviewed on the schedule set out in Section 4.

3.2 Use of AI Tools

We believe in transparency about how our content is produced. We may use AI writing tools to assist with drafting, structuring, or editing content. Where AI tools are used, the following safeguards always apply:

• AI-generated or AI-assisted drafts are always reviewed, edited, and approved by a qualified human author before publication.
• All clinical claims in AI-assisted content are independently verified by our clinical reviewer against established sources.
• AI tools are used as a drafting aid, not as a replacement for clinical expertise or editorial judgement.
• We never publish AI-generated content without meaningful human review and clinical verification.

Where a page has been produced with material AI assistance, this is noted in the content metadata at the foot of that page.

3.3 Commercial Independence

Hearing Aid UK is independent of all hearing aid manufacturers. We are not owned by, financially tied to, or incentivised by any manufacturer to favour particular brands or products in our content.

Our audiologists are not subject to manufacturer sales targets. Content recommendations are based solely on clinical suitability for the individual reader's needs. Product pages reflect our honest assessment of each product's features, suitability, and value. We do not accept payment from manufacturers or third parties in exchange for favourable editorial coverage.

4. How We Keep Content Up to Date

4.1 Review Schedule

All content on hearingaid.org.uk is subject to a scheduled review programme. The review frequency is determined by content type:

4.2 Date Transparency

Every content page displays both a publication date and a "Last reviewed" date. A date update reflects a genuine, substantive review of the content — not a cosmetic timestamp change. Where only minor corrections (for example, typos or broken links) are made, the reviewed date is not updated. Where content has been substantively changed following a review, a brief "What changed" note is added to the page metadata.

4.3 Unscheduled Updates

We update content outside the scheduled review cycle whenever:

• New NICE guidelines, NHS guidance, or significant clinical evidence is published that materially affects content accuracy.
• A hearing aid manufacturer releases a new product range that makes existing product information outdated.
• A factual error is identified and reported (see Section 7).
• Significant changes occur in UK regulations or legislation affecting hearing healthcare provision.

5. Our Sources and Standards

5.1 Authoritative Sources

Content on Hearing Aid UK is informed by established, credible sources. Our clinical reviewer ensures alignment with current guidance from the following:

• NHS (nhs.uk) — primary reference for UK-specific clinical guidance and patient-facing health information.
• NICE (nice.org.uk) — clinical guidelines, particularly NICE guideline NG98 (Hearing loss in adults: assessment and management).
• HCPC (hcpc-uk.org) — Health and Care Professions Council; standards of proficiency and professional conduct for audiologists.
• BSHAA — British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists; professional standards and technical guidance.
• BAA — British Academy of Audiology; clinical good practice guidance.
• British Tinnitus Association (tinnitus.org.uk)
• RNID (rnid.org.uk) — patient-focused hearing health information and statistics.
• Peer-reviewed journals — including the International Journal of Audiology, Ear and Hearing, and the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.
• Manufacturer clinical documentation — used for product-specific technical claims, clearly attributed.

5.2 Referencing

Substantive clinical claims in our articles are supported by a references section at the foot of each page, citing the sources used. Where claims draw on a specific study, guideline, or publication, this is linked directly.

We do not present clinical information as a settled fact where evidence is contested or evolving. In such cases, we present the available evidence transparently and recommend readers consult an HCPC-registered audiologist for personalised advice.

6. What Our Content Is Not

Hearing Aid UK content is designed to inform and support decision-making. It is not a substitute for professional clinical advice. We are clear with readers about this throughout our content.

• Our content does not constitute a medical diagnosis.
• Our content does not replace a professional hearing assessment by a qualified audiologist.
• Recommendations in our content are general in nature; individual circumstances vary, and readers are always encouraged to seek a personalised assessment.

If you are concerned about your hearing, we strongly recommend booking a professional hearing assessment. All our hearing tests are free — call us on 0800 567 7621 or book online.

7. Accuracy and Corrections

7.1 Our Commitment

We are committed to publishing accurate, up-to-date information. Despite our review processes, errors can occur. When they do, we correct them promptly and transparently.

7.2 Reporting an Error

If you believe any content on hearingaid.org.uk is factually inaccurate, out of date, or misleading, please let us know. You can report errors by:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 0800 567 7621
• Contact form: hearingaid.org.uk/contact-us

Please include: the URL of the page, the specific statement you believe is inaccurate, and (if possible) a reference to the correct information.

7.3 Correction Process

We aim to investigate and respond to all accuracy reports within 5 working days. Where a factual error is confirmed:

• The error is corrected promptly.
• A correction note is added to the page, recording what was changed and when.
• If the error was clinically significant, the correction is reviewed by our clinical reviewer before publication.

8. Complaints

If you have a complaint about our content — including concerns that it is biased, misleading, or fails to meet the standards set out in this policy — please contact us at [email protected]. We will acknowledge your complaint within 2 working days and provide a full response within 10 working days.

9. Policy Review

This editorial policy is reviewed annually by the Head of Online Medical Content and the Clinical Reviewer. It is updated sooner if material changes occur in our content processes, clinical standards, or applicable regulations.

The current version of this policy is always published at hearingaid.org.uk/editorial-policy.

Hearing Aid UK Ltd • 6 Morton Lane, Walkwood, Redditch, Worcestershire, B97 5QA • 0800 567 7621 • www.hearingaid.org.uk