Ms Carol Xie is a Consultant ENT and Otology Surgeon specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of ear disorders, hearing loss and complex otological conditions. She sees patients at the Hampshire Clinic, the Candover Clinic and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital (BNHH). She is also one of the auditory implant surgeons at the University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service (USAIS).

Ms Xie completed her specialist ENT training in London, with rotations at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital and St George's Hospital. She was awarded an MSc in Otology and Audiology with distinction from the Ear Institute at University College London in 2019. She also holds a BSc in Immunity in Health and Disease and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Education.

In 2022–2023, Ms Xie was awarded the prestigious Thomas Wickham Jones Fellowship. During this advanced fellowship in Auckland, New Zealand, she gained additional expertise in otology, lateral skull base surgery and auditory implantation, further enhancing her skills in complex ear surgery.

As a key member of the USAIS auditory implant multidisciplinary team (MDT), Ms Xie plays an important role in delivering specialist hearing implant services. In 2023, she established the cochlear implant service at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, expanding the USAIS hub-and-spoke model and demonstrating her commitment to innovation and improving patient access to specialist care.

Ms Xie has extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear conditions. Her specialist interests include hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness and balance disorders, ear infections, eardrum perforations, hearing restoration surgery, ear canal surgery, middle ear and mastoid surgery, lateral skull base surgery and auditory implants. She is experienced in bone conduction implants, active middle ear implants and cochlear implants.

In addition to her specialist ear practice, Ms Xie treats a broad range of general ENT conditions in both adults and children. These include sleep-disordered breathing, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, nasal blockage, sinus disease and Eustachian tube dysfunction, including problems with ear pressure during flying or diving.

Alongside her clinical work, Ms Xie is actively involved in research. She has published widely on topics including inner ear drug delivery, parotid disease and childhood airway disorders, with her work presented at international conferences. Her current research focuses on auditory implant outcomes and childhood ear disease. She also serves on the steering committee of the National Registry of Hearing Implants (NRHI).

Ms Xie believes that excellent communication and shared decision-making are central to providing outstanding patient care. She is committed to continual learning and works closely with colleagues to achieve the best possible outcomes for every patient.

Outside of work, Ms Xie enjoys spending time with her young family, as well as cycling and running.

Clinical Interests:

• Tinnitus
• Dizziness and balance disorders
• Hearing loss
• Eardrum perforations
• Eustachian tube disorders
• Otosclerosis
• Cholesteatoma
• Hearing restoration and auditory implants, including bone conduction hearing implants, middle ear implants and cochlear implants
• Sinus disease
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Skin cancers

• British Cochlear Implant Group
• Royal College of Surgeons
• Royal Society of Medicine