Privacy Policy

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DATA & PRIVACY POLICY

The Hearing Professional values your privacy and aims to always demonstrate transparency and fairness in the collection and use of client/personal data. This is our Data & Privacy Policy, in compliance with the GDPR Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation [UK GDPR].

WHAT IS PERSONAL DATA UNDER THE GDPR?

The GDPR applies to ‘personal data’ meaning any information relating to an identifiable person (‘data subject’) who can be directly or indirectly identified by reference to an identifier. This definition provides for a wide range of personal identifiers to constitute personal data, including name, identification number, location data or online identifier, reflecting changes in technology and the way organisations collect information about people. The GDPR applies to both automated personal data and to manual filing systems where personal data is accessible according to specific criteria.

WHO DOES THE GDPR APPLY TO?

The GDPR applies to:

· Organisations located within the EU;

· Organisations located outside of the EU if they offer goods or services to (even for free), or monitor the behaviour of, EU residents; and

· Organisations processing and holding personal data of EU residents, regardless of the organisation’s location.

DATA CONTROLLER

A Data Controller is an organisation that determines the purposes, conditions, and means of the processing of personal data. The Hearing Professional is Karen Dewhurst who can be contacted at karen@thehearingprofessional.com

A Data Processor is an organisation that processes personal data on behalf of the Controller. Third-party processors with which The Hearing Professional works includes, but is not limited to, providers of: IT, CRM and accounting systems, appliance purchase finance, file sharing/storage systems, contracted appliance manufacturer/repair services, transport/courier services, marketing/advertising services and HR/payroll.

The website may also collect cookies/HTTP cookies. This is a small piece of data sent from a website and stored on your computer by your web browser in order to improve your browsing experience. You can update your cookies preferences at any time via your own browser settings.

HOW DO WE USE PERSONAL DATA?

The Hearing Professional uses your data for the following lawful basis and purposes:

· To enable our business to respond to your enquiries and contacts about the quotation/provision of professional hearing services and treatments.

· To enable the provision of contracted hearing services according to your personal instruction, or the instruction of your nominated representatives (for instance a POA).

· To advise or remind you about your appointments with us.

· To record your clinical data via industry-standard Noah Software System, encrypted and controlled by HIMSA.

· To maintain a client record card detailing your hearing health history/audiology/audiogram test results and details of any appliances purchased. Hearing centre copies are stored securely and a copy of this record is provided to you in a client folder which includes a copy of this policy.

· To keep in touch with you during the planning and delivery stages of the hearing services you have contracted us to provide.

· To instruct third parties, where appropriate, who may be assisting us in the provision of the hearing services you have contracted. Please note: client names are encoded when ordering hearing appliances on your behalf via specialist manufacturers.

We will keep your personal and clinical data on our secure systems indefinitely as a requirement of insurance and to enable the continued provision of your ear care services (unless you request removal or transfer according to your rights under the GDPR).

SECURITY OF EVENT DATA

We operate a ‘safe file’ system in our offices and site locations and our staff are fully trained in data security. This applies to all client files and contacts whether securely stored in physical files or held on desktop/hand-held devices. Non-essential paperwork is routinely shredded and recycled.

PAYMENT/FINANCIAL SECURITY

When making credit card payments to The Hearing professional your details are destroyed after payment has been processed through our payment terminal. If providing us with other financially sensitive company details, for instance for credit references, that data is securely stored according to our ‘safe file’ system.

YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE GDPR

Unless subject to an exemption under the GDPR, you have the following rights with respect to your personal data:

· The right to request a copy of your personal data which The Hearing Professional holds.

· The right to request that The Hearing Professional corrects any personal data if it is found to be inaccurate or out of date.

· The right to request your personal data is erased where it is no longer necessary for The Hearing Professional to retain such data.

· The right to withdraw your consent to the processing of personal data at any time.

· The right to request that the data controller provides the data subject with his/her personal data and where possible, to transmit that data directly to another data controller, (known as the right to data portability).

· The right, where there is a dispute in relation to the accuracy or processing of your personal data, to request a restriction is placed on further processing.

· The right to object to the processing of personal data.

· The right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

CONTACT DETAILS

To exercise all relevant rights, queries or complaints please in the first instance contact our Data Protection Officer: Karen Dewhurst karen@thehearingprofessional.com 

Contact the ICO at t:0303 123 1113/email: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/email/ or write to: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF