Who We Are

Durham Hearing Specialists is run by our Director of Audiology Mr. Conor Boland, and is the clinician responsible for ensuring we meet best practice guidelines and have the latest cutting edge equipment available to our patients.

Conor started studying Audiology in 2007 at the University of Southampton. After completing internships at two London hospitals, he joined the NHS to work with hearing impaired adults and children. He also became heavily involved in charity work and became a Trustee of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.

After gaining experience in the field, Conor went to Africa in 2013 on a short mission with the charity Sound Seekers. Whilst in Cameroon he was able to set up equipment and train staff to help a number of adults and children hear properly for the first time using refurbished NHS hearing aids.

Mr. Conor Boland

BSc, RHAD, RCCP, MSHAA

AUDIOLOGIST

In Barnard Castle clinic: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

In Stockton-on-Tees clinic: Monday

After returning to the UK and working in several public and private sector roles, Conor became a certified microsuction trainer and currently teaches GPs, Nurses and other Audiologists how to perform ear wax removal.

In 2019 he set up Durham Hearing Specialists with the goal of providing personalised, expert care to people with hearing disorders.

"Working with cutting edge technology is a joy when I can use it to help someone hear better. Looking after my patients and ensuring they can always see me for care is my first priority, and making Durham Hearing Specialists known for worldclass expertise in treating hearing disorders is the second."

Conor sees patients in our Barnard Castle and Stockton clinics throughout the week. For more information on the services available, click here.

Registrations

Health and Care Professionals Council: HAD01744

Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists: 7079

Academy for Healthcare Science: 8431

British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists

British Association For Performing Arts Medicine

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Audiology, 2011 - University of Southampton

Research publications

Verschuur, Boland, Frost, Constable (2013) The role of first formant information in simulated electro-acoustic hearing. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 133, (6), 4279-4289.

Ms. Lilley Todd is a qualified Audiologist with an enthusiasm for treating hearing loss in adults. She grew up locally in Richmond and after leaving school completed an apprenticeship in Healthcare Assistance, working with doctors in Dermatology and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), performing minor procedures such as drawing blood, assisting in suturing and taking blood pressure.

After taking a special interest in ENT she started studying for a Diploma in Audiology at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, and went on to achieve a first class degree in Audiology at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.

“Working to alleviate hearing loss is incredibly rewarding, and something I was fascinated by early on in my healthcare career. Working at Durham Hearing Specialists allows me to offer patients technology at the cutting edge, from examining their ears with a powerful microscope to fitting tiny hearing aids 4mm from the eardrum. Practicing Audiology this way is exciting. And means our patients are at the forefront of the latest developments science has to offer”.

Ms. Lilley Todd

BSc, RHAD, RCCP

AUDIOLOGIST, TRAINER

In Barnard Castle clinic: Monday, Tuesday

In Durham clinic: Wednesday

In Stockton-on-Tees clinic: Thursday

Registrations

Health and Care Professionals Council: HAD04032

Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists: 10209

Qualifications:

Diploma in Audiology 2019 – Queen Margaret University

BSc (Hons) Audiology 2021 – Anglia Ruskin University

Amanda is our Clinic Manager and has over 14 years experience in administration roles, including pharmaceuticals, the Ministry of defence and farming. From appointments and referral letters to telephone calls and giving out information, Amanda is there to help, organise and ensure the clinic runs smoothly and efficiently. Amanda completed a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2019 and also has an Advanced Apprenticeship in Business and Administration. Before joining Durham Hearing Specialists she worked in mental health and has a great interest in cognition and the brain.

Ms. Amanda Watson BSc

CLINIC MANAGER

Ms. Laura Evans BA

ADMINISTRATOR

Laura is one of our Administrators and handles calls, bookings and payments. She has worked extensively over the years in the customer service sector and graduated with a second class honours in World Performance from the University of Essex in 2015.