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Bupa Cromwell Hospital · SW5

Private hearing aids in Kensington & Chelsea

Independent hearing aid fittings at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital, 164–178 Cromwell Road — led by Scott Drummond, the hospital's Head of Audiology since 2010.

Invisible, rechargeable and AI-powered hearing aids from Starkey, Phonak and GN ReSound, chosen around your hearing and verified in your ear with real-ear measurement.

Book a hearing assessmentCall 020 7139 5186
Drummond Hearing consulting room used by patients from Kensington

Why Kensington patients choose us for hearing aids

Hospital-grade hearing aid care, without the sales floor

Most hearing aid clinics in Kensington and Chelsea are owned by a manufacturer or a retail chain. Drummond Hearing isn't. You see the audiologist who owns the clinic, in a private hospital, with appointments long enough to get the fitting right.

Genuinely independent

No manufacturer owns this clinic and there are no sales quotas. Scott fits Starkey, Phonak and GN ReSound and recommends whichever genuinely suits your ears and your life.

Head of Audiology, Bupa Cromwell

BSc Audiology, HCPC and RCCP registered, and Head of Audiology at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital since 2010 — the hospital where your fitting takes place.

Real-ear verified fittings

Every hearing aid is measured in your own ear canal with a probe microphone, so the prescription matches your hearing rather than an average ear.

Latest premium technology

Invisible-in-canal, rechargeable and AI-driven hearing aids that stream calls and music directly from iPhone and Android.

60-day trial

Wear your hearing aids at home, at work and in restaurants before you commit, with fine-tuning appointments along the way.

You see Scott, every time

From first assessment through fitting and years of aftercare. Nothing is passed to a junior or a salesperson.

Your hearing aid journey in Kensington

From a full diagnostic assessment to years of aftercare — every step delivered personally at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital.

Hearing aids

Private hearing aids in Kensington

Scott fits a deliberately curated range: Starkey, Phonak and GN ReSound. Each leads in a different area — Starkey for invisible-in-canal devices, on-device AI and health tracking; Phonak for universal Bluetooth streaming to any phone; GN ReSound for the most natural spatial sound — and the choice between them follows your audiogram, your dexterity and your listening week.

Every fitting includes real-ear measurement. A fine probe microphone sits in the canal and shows precisely what the hearing aid is delivering at your eardrum, so the prescription is matched to your ear rather than to an average. This single step is the biggest predictor of whether hearing aids get worn or end up in a drawer.

Every fitting includes a 60-day trial, a five-year extended manufacturer warranty and hearing-aid follow-ups and fine-tuning. After the first year, an annual review costs £65. The £150 assessment is separate, with no additional trial fee.

  • Independent advice across Starkey, Phonak and GN ReSound
  • Invisible, rechargeable and AI-powered options
  • Real-ear verified fittings
  • Direct streaming from iPhone and Android
  • 60-day trial in your own environments
  • Included follow-ups and fine-tuning; five-year warranty

Before your fitting

A full hearing assessment first

Hearing aids are only as good as the test behind them. Your first appointment is a 60-minute diagnostic assessment: video otoscopy, air and bone conduction audiometry, tympanometry and speech-in-noise testing.

We start with where your hearing lets you down — restaurants, the theatre, meetings, family gatherings — because that shapes which hearing aid style and features will actually help. You leave with your results explained and no obligation to buy.

  • 60-minute diagnostic appointment
  • Air and bone conduction audiometry
  • Speech-in-noise testing
  • Honest advice if you don't need hearing aids yet

Aftercare

Fine-tuning and long-term support

Getting used to hearing aids takes a few weeks. Follow-up appointments adjust the settings as your brain adapts, and remote fine-tuning through the manufacturer's app means small changes don't always need a trip in.

Hearing aid follow ups and fine tuning appointments are included. After the first year, an annual review costs £65.

  • Follow-up and fine-tuning appointments
  • Remote adjustments via app
  • Cleaning, servicing and repairs
  • Direct contact with your audiologist

Full details of every appointment type are on our services page, and every fee is published on our prices page.

Getting here from Kensington

At the Bupa Cromwell Hospital, 164–178 Cromwell Road

The clinic is inside the Bupa Cromwell Hospital on Cromwell Road, Kensington SW5 0TU. Reception is on the ground floor and we meet you there — there is no hunting through corridors and no waiting in a shop window while your hearing is discussed within earshot of other customers.

Kensington patients typically walk or take one stop on the tube. Earl's Court, on the District and Piccadilly lines, is five minutes away on foot; Gloucester Road, on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines, is around eight; and West Brompton, with Overground as well as District services, is about nine.

We also see many patients from the surrounding neighbourhoods — South Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, Holland Park, Fulham and West Brompton — and regularly from Mayfair, Belgravia, Marylebone, Hammersmith and Westminster. Our second clinic at Visit Health, 1 Blythe Road W14, offers a smaller, modern alternative when that journey is easier.

  • Tube: Earl's Court (District & Piccadilly) 5 minutes' walk; Gloucester Road (District, Circle & Piccadilly) 8 minutes; West Brompton (District & Overground) 9 minutes.
  • Parking: On-site paid parking at the hospital plus metered street bays on Cromwell Road. The Congestion Charge applies on weekdays.
  • Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00. Early or later slots occasionally by prior arrangement.
  • Insurance: Set up for privately insured patients with Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Cigna and other major UK insurers.
Bupa Cromwell Hospital
164–178 Cromwell Road, Kensington, London SW5 0TU
Get directions

Visit Health
1 Blythe Road, London W14 0HG
Get directions

Location opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm

Appointments with Scott are available at Bupa Cromwell Hospital on Wednesdays and at Visit Health on Friday mornings. Please book before visiting.

Full directions and contact details

Why Kensington patients trust Drummond Hearing

Fitting hearing aids well is a five-year relationship, not a transaction. Most of our Kensington patients arrive on a personal recommendation, and the reasons they give are consistent.

Independent advice

No manufacturer contracts and no house brand to protect. If your hearing does not yet warrant hearing aids, you will be told exactly that.

No sales pressure

Prices are published on the website, quotes are given in writing, and nobody follows up with a discount that expires on Friday.

Personal recommendations

Two people with identical audiograms often need different devices. The recommendation follows your ears, your hands and your week.

Modern technology

Real-ear measurement, tympanometry, speech-in-noise testing and the current generation of AI-driven processors.

Premium care

A private hospital consulting room, hour-long appointments and direct contact with your audiologist between visits.

Excellent follow-up support

Hearing aid follow ups and fine tuning appointments are included. After the first year, an annual review costs £65.

More about the clinician who will see you is on the about Scott Drummond page.

Kensington FAQ

Hearing aids in Kensington — your questions

Where exactly is your Kensington clinic?

We consult at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital, 164–178 Cromwell Road, Kensington, London SW5 0TU. Reception is on the ground floor and we will meet you there. Our second clinic is Visit Health, 1 Blythe Road, London W14 0HG.

Which hearing aids do you recommend?

It depends on your results and priorities. We fit Starkey, Phonak and GN ReSound: Starkey for invisible devices, on-device AI and health features; Phonak for universal Bluetooth streaming; GN ReSound for natural spatial sound.

Can I try hearing aids before buying?

Yes. Every fitting includes a 60-day trial so you can wear your hearing aids at home, at work and in restaurants, with fine-tuning appointments along the way.

Do you fit invisible hearing aids?

Yes. Invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids sit deep in the ear canal. Whether they suit you depends on your canal shape and hearing loss, and Scott will advise honestly at your assessment.

What is real-ear measurement?

A thin probe microphone in your ear canal measures exactly what the hearing aid delivers at your eardrum, so the settings match your hearing rather than an average ear. It is included in every fitting.

Do I need a hearing test first?

Yes. A full 60-minute diagnostic assessment comes first, so we know the type and degree of hearing loss and can rule out wax or middle-ear problems before recommending anything.

Which tube stations are nearest?

Earl's Court (District & Piccadilly) is a five-minute walk. Gloucester Road (District, Circle & Piccadilly) and West Brompton (District & Overground) are both under ten minutes on foot.

Is there parking at the Cromwell?

Yes — the Bupa Cromwell Hospital has on-site paid parking. There is also metered street parking on Cromwell Road and neighbouring streets, and the area is inside the Congestion Charge zone during weekdays.

Do I need a GP referral?

No. Kensington patients book directly with the clinic. If the assessment identifies something needing medical review, Scott can refer you to an ENT consultant, often the same day.

How long is an appointment?

Assessments run a full hour, hearing aid fittings 60–90 minutes and follow-up reviews 30–45 minutes. Nothing is squeezed into 15-minute slots.

Can hearing loss be treated?

Conductive losses from wax or middle-ear fluid are frequently reversible. Age-related and noise-related loss is permanent, but it is managed very effectively with properly verified hearing aids — and treating it early is linked with better long-term cognitive outcomes.

Do you see patients with Bupa, AXA, Vitality or Cigna insurance?

Yes. Because Scott is Head of Audiology at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital, we are set up to see privately insured patients from all major UK insurers. Contact us with your insurer and policy details and we will advise on coverage.

Do you offer weekend or evening appointments?

Our Kensington clinic runs Monday to Friday. If those hours do not work, please get in touch — we occasionally accommodate early or later slots by prior arrangement.

How do I book?

Book online through our Cliniko booking page at any hour, call 020 7139 5186, WhatsApp 07506 506221 or email info@drummondhearing.co.uk.

More answers on our general FAQ · Hearing aids across London · Best hearing aid brands compared · Starkey Edge AI review · Phonak Eon review · Oticon Intent review · Invisible hearing aids · News & Insights

Nearby areas

We also see patients from these areas near Kensington

Hearing aids ChelseaHearing aids KnightsbridgeSouth KensingtonEarl's Court
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Book your Kensington hearing aid consultation

Start with a 60-minute assessment at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital with an independent audiologist. No referral needed, no obligation to buy.

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