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I want to say something specific to choir singers, because this comes up so often in our consultations. Don’t stop singing! Hearing loss shouldn’t stop you doing the things you love.

The problem I hear most often is this: people are taking their hearing aids out during rehearsals. When everyone around them starts singing, the volume overwhelms their devices and causes distortion. It is deeply frustrating. And then when the conductor stops to give notes, the moment when you most need to hear, but the aids are out and you miss it entirely. Some people end up not going at all. That makes me sad, because choir is genuinely one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Why this happens — and why it doesn’t have to

Cheaper or older hearing aids simply cannot handle sound levels above around 100 decibels. Think of it like this: the acoustic energy coming into the microphone is like electricity coming into a circuit. If too much energy arrives at once, the circuit is overwhelmed and what comes out is distorted noise rather than clear sound. A full choir in full voice generates exactly that kind of energy.

The hearing aids we fit at Meadows & Wood are engineered for exactly this kind of environment. They process high-energy sound cleanly, so you can stand in the middle of a choir, hear every voice around you and every word from the conductor, and your aids stay exactly where they belong in your ears, doing their job.

Get back out there

Getting back to choir, back to concerts, back to evenings that leave you feeling properly alive, that is what good hearing care is really about for me. It is not just about being able to hear. It is about being fully present in the things that matter to you. Music, community, connection. The kind of joy that is genuinely good for your health, from the inside out.

Local choirs worth exploring

If you’ve been thinking about giving choir a go, or getting back to one you’ve been missing, here are some brilliant local groups to check out. All of them welcome new members warmly and most need no experience whatsoever.

Worle Community Choir – Mixed voices, four-part harmony, every Thursday evening at St Marks Church, Worle. No auditions, no experience needed.  https://worlecommunitychoir.co.uk/

Rock Choir Weston-super-Mare – Pop and rock hits in brilliant harmony, all ages welcome, led by Mike Aris. Free taster session available.  https://www.rockchoir.com/uk-singing-group/Weston-Super-Mare-Late

Weston Choral Society – A four-part choral society with an ambitious repertoire, based in Weston-super-Mare.  https://www.westonchoralsociety.org.uk/

North Somerset Good Afternoon Choir – Every Wednesday afternoon at Nailsea Methodist Church. Welcoming, fun and open to everyone.  https://www.goodafternoonchoir.org/north-somerset-gac.html

South Somerset Good Afternoon Choir – Meets on Monday afternoons in Wincanton. Part of the wonderful Good Afternoon Choirs network.  https://www.goodafternoonchoir.org/

OTM Bristol Community Choir – Tuesday evenings at Alma Church, Clifton. Eclectic repertoire, no auditions, one of Bristol’s most active community choirs.  https://www.outtheremusicbristol.co.uk/community-choirs/

These groups, and many others like them, do something genuinely important. Singing together is good for your mental health, your physical health, your social life and your overall wellbeing. The research on this has been strong for years.

If any of this resonates, please do come and have a chat with us. There is no pressure and no obligation, just a conversation about your hearing and your life, with someone who genuinely cares about both. Our clinics are in Worle, Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Clevedon and Shirehampton.

To book a consultation at any of our five clinics in Worle, Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Clevedon or Shirehampton, call 01934 248426. This spring’s concerts are waiting for you. This season’s concerts and choir rehearsals are waiting for you.

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Toby Meadows, founder of Meadows & Wood Hearing Care, on modern hearing aids, local choirs and getting the most from live music this spring.

Spring is one of my favourite times of year, and live music is a big part of why. Bristol Beacon has a wonderful season planning including the London Symphony Orchestra performing Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius and other fabulous musical events, it will be a really special season! Across Somerset, our theatres and concert halls come alive. But I often hear from people for whom hearing loss has quietly taken some of that pleasure away. Concerts feel effortful. You miss the detail. You come home deflated. If that sounds familiar, I want you to know it doesn’t have to be that way.

“It’s not a hearing aid as much as a clearing aid.” Alice Cooper, Starkey hearing aid wearer

One of the brands we stock is Starkey, a firm favourite with clients who love music. Rock legend Alice Cooper has worn Starkey hearing aids for years and describes them perfectly, that moment when music sounds like music again is exactly what we see with our own clients.

This matters especially for choir singers, and we have some brilliant ones nearby. I hear it regularly: people removing their hearing aids mid-rehearsal because the volume of those around them causes older devices to distort. Then when the conductor stops to give notes, the aids are out and they cannot hear a word. Frustrating, and more than a little embarrassing. The hearing aids we recommend are built to handle exactly that environment, so you can stand in a full choir, hear everything naturally, and leave your aids exactly where they belong.

As an independent practice, we are not tied to any single manufacturer. We take the time to find the right hearing aid for your life, and if live music or singing is part of that life, I genuinely enjoy that conversation. Come and see us.

To book a consultation at any of our five clinics in Worle, Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Clevedon or Shirehampton, call 01934 248426. This spring’s concerts are waiting for you. Pop in or give us a call on 01934 248426.

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What makes the praying mantis so remarkable isn’t just its distinctive appearance, but where it hears from. Tucked in the centre of its chest sits a single ear, developed to detect the ultrasonic calls of hunting bats. When a mantis hears those high-frequency chirps whilst flying at night, it drops out of the sky to avoid becoming dinner.

Deep inside your inner ear lie thousands of microscopic hair cells topped with even tinier projections called stereocilia. When sound vibrations reach them, they bend, sending electrical signals to your brain. Unlike birds or fish, humans cannot regenerate these cells once damaged. Loud noise, age or certain medications can harm these fragile structures, leading to tinnitus or permanent hearing loss.

Whether it’s birdsong in the garden or conversations with loved ones, your hearing connects you to the world. Regular assessments and addressing concerns early make all the difference. If you’ve experience tinnitus or noticed changes in your hearing, it’s worth having a chat. Modern hearing technology offers natural sound quality and features that adapt to your environment.

This summer, you might even spot a praying mantis in your garden. If you do, take a moment to appreciate that single ear working away, and perhaps give a thought to your own remarkable hearing system. And don’t forget, we’re here to help you and your family with any concerns you have about your hearing. Pop in or give us a call on 01934 248426.

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Tinnitus is one of those things you don’t really think about until it happens to you. Life hums along with its usual soundtrack—kettles boiling, birds in the garden, traffic on the A370—and then you notice something else. A ringing, buzzing, or whistling that no one else can hear. It’s like your ears have started their own little broadcast, and it won’t switch off.

For many, tinnitus comes and goes. For others, it sticks around like an uninvited guest. While it isn’t dangerous, it can be incredibly frustrating, affecting sleep, concentration, and mood. The tricky part? Tinnitus isn’t a condition itself—it’s a symptom, often linked to hearing loss, noise exposure, stress, or even earwax build-up.

What gets overlooked is the emotional side. When you first notice it, panic sets in: “Will this be forever?” Those reactions are completely normal. The good news is that most people find it becomes far less intrusive over time. Your brain is brilliant at tuning out sounds once it realises they’re not a threat.

Here’s Where We Come In – at our clinics in Worle, Shirehampton, Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and Portishead, we offer specialist tinnitus assessments and practical counselling. We check your hearing
thoroughly, explore the causes, and work with you on strategies that genuinely help—from sound therapy to lifestyle adjustments around sleep and stress. Even small changes can make a surprising difference. With the right support, that internal noise gets quieter, calmer, and far easier to live with.

This month, show yourself—or someone you love—some kindness. Tinnitus doesn’t have
to mean your world shrinks. Give us a call on 01934 248426 for a no-obligation chat about
how we can help.

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Think of them as your personal sound assistant, working quietly in the background whilst you get on with life. One of the biggest frustrations people tell us about is background noise making it hard to follow conversations. Modern AI technology recognizes speech patterns, so it can focus on the voices that matter most to you.

The connectivity is wonderful too. Whether it’s phone calls, your favourite radio programme, or the television, everything connects effortlessly. With new Auracast technology, you can even tune into public broadcasts at airports, theatres, or museums directly through your hearing aids. Some models now monitor health metrics too, offering peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Let’s Have a Chat

If you’re curious about how modern hearing care could enhance your quality of life and happiness, we’d love to hear from you. Pop in for a no-obligation chat at our Worle clinic, or give us a call on 01934 248426, our team are here to help make your 2026 your smartest year yet!

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There are two main types:

• Sensory presbycusis – damage to the tiny hair cells in the cochlea
• Neural presbycusis – loss of nerve cells that carry signals to the brain

Early signs include difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds like birdsong or children’s voices, turning up the TV or phone, struggling with conversations in noisy places, listening fatigue, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Some also notice dizziness or a feeling of fullness.

Although ageing is the main cause, other factors can speed it up—such as family history, certain medications, prolonged noise exposure, smoking, or heavy alcohol use. Hearing loss can’t be reversed, but you can slow the progression by protecting your ears, reviewing medication with your GP, and maintaining overall health.

Why act early? Untreated hearing loss can affect much more than hearing. It may strain relationships, cause social withdrawal, increase the risk of depression, and is linked to cognitive decline, including dementia.

The good news: today’s modern hearing aids are discreet, comfortable, and personalised to your needs—helping you stay connected and confident.

If you’re over 50, include a hearing check in your routine health care. Even if your hearing seems fine, a baseline test makes it easier to track changes over time.

Your hearing is precious—protect it to keep enjoying conversations, music, and laughter for years to come. If you are concerned about your hearing, book an appointment today at one of our local clinics in Worle, Shirehampton, Portishead, Weston-super-Mare or Clevedon, Bristol. We’re here to help.

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How are you getting on? If you get stuck, then scroll down and you’ll find the answers … but don’t give up too quickly. Why not put the kettle on and have another go before you take a sneak peek at the answers below.

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