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.

The post Nature’s Remarkable Hearing: What a Praying Mantis Can Teach Us appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

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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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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Their latest models also feature Auracast broadcast streaming, allowing you to connect directly to public sound systems, like cinemas and airports, thanks to next-generation Bluetooth LE Audio.

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At Meadows & Wood Hearing Care Specialists, we understand that hearing loss can be a sensitive subject. For many, acknowledging it is the hardest part. But you’re not alone! Taking the first step towards better hearing can change your life, and it gets much easier from there.

Age-related hearing loss is one of the most common health concerns for older adults. In fact, by 2050, an estimated 698 million people worldwide are expected to have moderate-to-profound hearing loss. Left untreated, it can lead to more frustration and may even contribute to cognitive decline, social isolation, and a reduced quality of life.

We often meet people who have tried hearing aids before but have given up on them due to a struggle to adapt to them. While modern hearing devices are highly advanced, many users find the adjustment period challenging. Amplified sounds can initially feel overwhelming, particularly for older individuals.

But good hearing isn’t just about louder sounds, it’s about clearer, more natural hearing.

That’s why we take a gradual and personalised approach to hearing rehabilitation. We fine-tune your hearing aids so that over time you can adapt to sounds more comfortably. Recent research, involving individuals with an average age of 75, suggests that while the brain adapts quickly to detecting sounds, it can take up to six months to process and perceive them naturally. This extended adjustment period explains why some people give up too soon. But with the right support, this process can be made much smoother.

If you or a loved one is struggling with hearing loss, we’re here to help. As North Somerset’s only full-time, fully independent audiology and tinnitus treatment clinic, we provide expert hearing guidance and support from convenient, accessible locations. Request a consultation with us today.

Request a Consultation

 

 

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That’s why every year, on March 3rd, we celebrate World Hearing Day, an initiative led by the World Health Organization, to raise awareness about hearing loss and remind us of the importance of protecting our hearing. While many of us regularly visit doctors, opticians, and dentists, hearing check-ups are often overlooked. But these are essential in detecting hearing loss early and preventing further issues.

Our noisy world isn’t always kind to our ears. From bustling cities, loud cinemas, and lively cafes, it’s easy for our ears to suffer damage over time from exposure to loud sounds. Taking small steps, like using ear protection and being mindful of volume levels, can go a long way in protecting our hearing.

Sometimes, hearing aids might be needed – which over the years, have had huge advancements to improve your hearing experience. Modern hearing aids now offer cutting-edge features such as Bluetooth connectivity, artificial intelligence, and speech enhancement technology, and are available in various sizes and colourways. 

World Hearing Day is the perfect reminder to check in on your hearing and that of your loved ones. We invite you to visit any of our North Somerset clinics for a free hearing check-up and a friendly chat with our expert Audiologists. Book a Consultation with us today.

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Let’s talk about earwax! We’ve all experienced that annoying “full’ feeling in our ears, muffled hearing, or even trapped water after a swim. Often, these symptoms point to earwax buildup, leaving many to wonder: What’s the safest way to deal with it?

While at-home methods such as cotton buds or ear candles might seem like quick and easy solutions, they can actually cause more harm than good. The safest option is trusting a healthcare professional to provide the correct next steps for your ear health, such as microsuction. 

Here’s why:

✓ Ears are delicate! A professional can precisely determine whether earwax is truly causing the problem, and remove it safely, without causing any damage. Poking around without proper knowledge can lead to worse issues such as perforated eardrums or infections. 

✓ Expert advice you can trust. If your GP can’t help, it’s important to see a trained expert such as an ENT Doctor, an Audiologist, or an ENT nurse. These professionals not only remove earwax safely but can also identify signs of underlying health issues such as hearing loss or ear infections.

Having earwax professionally removed often provides instant relief and clearer hearing, especially if performed safely by an expert. At Meadows & Wood, our expert audiologists are dedicated to providing the best possible care and advice tailored to your needs.

Visit us at any of our North Somerset clinics where we would be pleased to give you a free check-up and have a chat about your hearing. Book a consultation with us today.

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Whilst on a care home visit last month I was discussing challenges that carers experience when attempting to chat with their residents. It’s easy to imagine a situation when the person that they care for might have limited mobility as well as poor hearing. The busy carer is often juggling tasks and alarms all while attempting to brighten the day by having a conversation with the resident. 

It occurred to me that some helpful advice on how to communicate well would be very useful. Not only for our professional carers, but for anyone who may also be caring for relatives with hearing issues. Here’s our 5 top tips: 

1. When speaking to a hearing-impaired person, it is important that you should attract the person’s attention first, perhaps by saying their name or making eye contact. 
2. Speak clearly by not going too fast and saying each word fully. Also don’t cover your mouth, its important they can see it as well as your facial expressions. 
3. Try to minimise background noise when speaking. 
4. Make sure you are not too far away from the person.  
5. Don’t shout!  If someone is still struggling, then shouting won’t really help. Louder but still controlled and clear speech is what will be more successful. When someone loses their hearing, they also lose the ability to tolerate loud sounds, so a shout is likely to seem distorted or even painful. 

If you or your loved one is struggling with hearing clearly, and you would like to know how we can help, we are here for you at home or in North Somerset’s only full-time and fully independent audiology clinic. Contact details are below. 

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