THE Hearing Suite is celebrating five successful years in business by recruiting its tenth employee.

The independent hearing specialist which now has three clinics across Yorkshire, was started by local entrepreneur, Emily Woodmansey.

It was during a gap year in Peru that Emily found her path when she worked with a young girl in an orphanage who had hearing loss and Emily used signs to communicate. It proved to be a life-changing experience for Emily upon returning home, she applied for a degree in audiology.

After graduating, Emily worked in NHS and national hearing chains and it was then she identified a gap in the market for something more personal and unique in the hearing sector. So five years ago Emily went solo and set up her own business to offer bespoke and tailored solutions to self-funded clients.

Emily now has three clinics – Harrogate, Ilkley and Scarborough - and is currently recruiting their tenth member of staff. The business has four audiologists including lip reading expert, Helena Milnes and recently took on Consultant ENT Surgeon, Alastair Mace.

Emily Woodmansey said: “It’s a bit of a pinch yourself moment. I never started it thinking I’d stop but it feels like it’s gone really quickly. The most memorable moments have been talking on my first audiologist – I thought it would be just me but when I recruited another person, I realised it was going to turn into a full business.

“Then when I opened the Ilkley clinic, it was a very proud moment for me because it’s my home town and it feels nostalgic because when I was growing up, the shop next door to where I now have my clinic, was a sweet shop I used to go to as a child.

“In future, I’d love to open a fourth hearing clinic and just make sure I keep taking the opportunities as they come to me. I feel very lucky to be at this stage in my business.”