Ear Health Archives - Meadows+Wood Hearing Care

How to Protect Your Hearing Aids This Summer

Toby Meadows — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:41:07 +0000

Summer brings some specific challenges for hearing aid wearers, most of which are easy to manage once you know what to watch for. Here is my practical guide to keeping your devices in good shape through the warmer months.

(Image: Widex Hearing Aids available at Meadows & Wood)

How robust are modern hearing aids?

More robust than many people expect. Modern behind-the-ear and receiver-in-canal hearing aids from the leading manufacturers now carry an IP68 rating, which is the top of the international scale for dust and moisture protection. Tested to withstand submersion in clean water to one metre depth, these devices are built for active daily life.

The leading manufacturers go further than the standard requires. Prescription hearing aids are subjected to saline mist testing over 28 days and must come out fully functional. That is a meaningful test of real-world durability, far beyond what a walk in the rain or a sweaty afternoon in the garden represents. One of my patients came back from holiday having accidentally jumped into the pool with his hearing aids in. He was braced for the worst. They worked perfectly. He was surprised; I was not.

Where IP68 has limits

IP68 is tested in clean, still, fresh water. It does not account for sea water, which is corrosive and works its way into components over time. It does not account for dynamic wave pressure, or the chemical properties of sunscreen, hairspray and other products we use every day. The rating is reassuring, but it is not a green light for swimming.

Remove your hearing aids before entering any body of water. After a day near the coast, a gentle wipe down with a dry cloth before storing your devices overnight is a good habit worth forming.

Before you go out

One of the simplest rules I give patients is this: hearing aids go in last. Hairspray, perfume and sunscreen all send fine droplets into the air, and the microphone ports on hearing aids are remarkably good at catching them. Aerosol hairspray is particularly problematic because the spray lingers. Perfume is less obvious but the alcohol and oils in many fragrances can affect the casing seals over time. Apply everything first, let it settle, then fit your hearing aids. It takes an extra two minutes and saves a lot of problems.

Heat, storage and staying active

A car in summer can reach temperatures that damage both batteries and internal components. The same applies to a windowsill in direct sunlight. Store your devices in their case, in a cool dry place, whenever they are not in use. Active wearers sometimes find solutions without realising it. One of my patients is a marathon runner. He wears a sweatband during races, which he assumed was just keeping the sweat out of his eyes. It turns out it was doing the same job for his hearing aids. If you are regularly active in warm weather, a hearing aid sweatband or sleeve is worth considering.

A word about in-canal hearing aids

Patients wearing in-canal styles, including completely-in-canal and invisible-in-canal models, need to be particularly attentive in summer. These devices sit in the warmest, most humid part of the ear, and unlike behind-the-ear models they cannot carry the same moisture resistance ratings. Their smaller casings are more vulnerable to the combined effects of heat, humidity and earwax, which summer tends to increase. If you wear an in-canal device, a routine clean and check every three to four months is the baseline recommendation. I would also suggest coming in before and after the summer if you are planning to be active outdoors. A small build-up of earwax or moisture is straightforward to address when caught early. Left unattended it can affect sound quality significantly. In-canal hearing aids remain a genuinely excellent option, offering discretion that other styles cannot match, and the technology continues to advance. Summer is simply when their care routine matters most.

Swimming and earwax

Whatever style you wear, remove hearing aids before entering any water. It is also worth knowing that regular swimming can contribute to earwax build-up regardless of whether you wear hearing aids, as water affects the ear canal’s natural self-cleaning mechanism. If your hearing feels blocked or muffled by the end of the summer, earwax removal is usually the straightforward answer.

Book a check before you travel

A quick appointment before you go away is time well spent. We can check your devices are functioning properly, clean the ports, address any earwax concerns, and make sure you know what to do if something goes wrong while you are away. For patients with in-canal devices particularly, a pre-holiday check is a good idea. We have clinics at Worle, Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Shirehampton and Clevedon, all within easy reach of the coast. Walk-in appointments are available daily at Worle. For Portishead, Shirehampton or Clevedon, call 01275 401144. To book online or reach us at Worle, call 01934 248426 or visit meadowswood.co.uk.

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Toby On BBC Radio Bristol with John Darvall

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:46:35 +0000

Toby joined John Darvell on BBC Radio Bristol for a conversation that started with a simple question: how do you actually know if you have a hearing problem? Press play to hear the lovely conversation between Toby and John.

In this lively interview John kicked things off with a question most of us have either asked or been asked: why is the television always so loud? From there, Toby and John range across everything from how hearing loss actually works to why the solution is rarely as simple as turning up the volume.

One of the things Toby explains really clearly is why so many people feel that everyone around them has started mumbling. It comes down to the difference between volume and clarity. The sounds that fade first with age-related hearing loss are the high-frequency consonants, the S, T, F and SH sounds that give words their shape. If you want to understand more about what’s actually happening when hearing changes with age, our article on age-related hearing loss is a good place to start.

Age Related Hearing Loss

Toby and John also talk about the way untreated hearing loss can lead people to quietly withdraw from situations they find difficult. It might seem like a small thing, but the knock-on effects can be significant. If you’d like to read more about the wider health connections Toby touches on in the interview, including the link with cognitive health, this article goes into it in more depth.

The Link Between Hearing Loss & Dementia

There’s also a really reassuring section on modern hearing aids, and how far the technology has come from the devices people might remember from years ago. If the thought of hearing aids still feels like a big step, our article on breaking the stigma might change your mind.

Breaking The Sigma of hearing loss

Most of all, this is a conversation that makes the whole subject feel very approachable, and Toby’s experience really comes through.

If anything in the interview resonates with you or someone you care about, the most useful thing you can do is book a hearing assessment. It’s straightforward, there’s no pressure, and it gives you a clear picture of where your hearing is today. Get in touch with the team at Meadows & Wood to arrange yours. Call us on 01934 248426, we are here to help.

Book A Consultation

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Could Your Hearing Loss Be Increasing Your Risk of Falls?

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:36:46 +0000

By Toby, Audiologist at Meadows & Wood Hearing Care

Falls are one of the most serious health risks facing older adults in the UK. They can lead to broken bones, loss of confidence, reduced independence and, in the most serious cases, life-changing injury. What many people don’t realise is that hearing loss is one of the most significant and treatable contributing factors.

At Meadows & Wood Hearing Care, it’s a connection we see regularly in clinic. Our patient health questionnaire asks specifically about dizziness, vertigo and balance as a routine part of every consultation, and those questions often open up conversations about falls that patients haven’t been able to have elsewhere.

The research

The evidence is substantial and growing. A landmark 2025 meta-analysis published in JAMA Otolaryngology reviewed 27 studies involving more than five million participants and found that people with hearing loss have a 51% greater likelihood of falling compared with those with normal hearing. Earlier research found the odds of falling were more than twice as high in older adults with untreated hearing loss.

Crucially, consistent hearing aid use has been associated with a 50% reduction in the odds of experiencing a fall. That’s not a minor benefit. For older adults and their families, it represents a meaningful shift in quality of life and long-term independence.

Why does hearing loss increase falls risk?

There are three well-established reasons for this connection.

Environmental awareness. Sound gives us a constant stream of information about our surroundings. The crunch of gravel underfoot, the echo of a hard floor, the background noise that tells us a space is crowded. When hearing is reduced, we lose much of that spatial information, often without realising it.
Spatial awareness. Hearing plays a significant role in our sense of where our body is in relation to the world around us. Reduced hearing can subtly affect our ability to judge distances and navigate unfamiliar spaces safely.
Cognitive load. When the brain is working harder to process and interpret sound, it has fewer resources available for other tasks, including maintaining gait and balance. When hearing is treated effectively, that cognitive burden is reduced and the brain is free to manage both tasks well.

What this means in practice

At Meadows & Wood, our assessments go beyond a straightforward hearing test. It’s something patients often tell us they hadn’t expected, but are glad we asked.

If a hearing assessment identifies a loss that can be addressed with hearing aids, the benefits extend well beyond clearer conversations. Improved spatial awareness, reduced cognitive load and a significantly lower falls risk are all part of the picture.

Taking the first step

If you’ve experienced unexplained dizziness, had a fall, or have been putting off addressing changes in your hearing, we’d encourage you to book a consultation with our team. Our clinics in Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Shirehampton and Clevedon are available by appointment, and our Worle clinic welcomes walk-in visitors too.

Call us on 01934 248426, we are here to help.

The post Could Your Hearing Loss Be Increasing Your Risk of Falls? appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

Flying and Ear Pressure: How to Protect Your Ears When You Travel

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:47 +0000

Many people notice discomfort, pressure, or muffled hearing during flights especially during landing. This happens because the air pressure around you changes faster than your ears can adjust. For most people it’s mild, but for some it can be very painful.

This guide explains why it happens and what you can do to prevent it.

Why Your Ears Hurt on a Plane

Inside your ear is a small air‑filled space called the middle ear. It connects to the back of your nose via a tiny channel called the Eustachian tube. This tube’s job is to keep pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum.

During take‑off and landing, air pressure changes quickly. If the Eustachian tube can’t open easily, pressure builds and the eardrum is pulled inward, causing:

Ear pressure or pain
Muffled hearing
Crackling or popping
Temporary dizziness

This is sometimes referred to as airplane ear or barotrauma, and it is more common than many people realise.

Who Is More Likely to Experience It?

Some people are more prone to airplane ear than others. Those with hay fever, allergies, a cold, or sinus congestion often struggle because the Eustachian tube becomes inflamed or blocked. People with a history of ear infections, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or narrow Eustachian tubes may also find it harder to equalise pressure naturally. Even mild congestion can make a significant difference to how your ears cope in the air.

A Note for Travelling with Children

Children’s Eustachian tubes are smaller and more easily blocked, so they can be particularly prone to ear discomfort during flights. Encouraging a drink or using a dummy during take-off and landing promotes swallowing and helps equalise pressure naturally. Chewing or swallowing during descent works well for older children. An Otovent balloon device, designed specifically for children, can be helpful if recommended by a healthcare professional.

How to Prevent Ear Pain When Flying

These simple steps can make flying much more comfortable:

Start early, don’t wait for pain. Begin equalising your ears before the plane starts descending.
Swallow, yawn, or sip water regularly. These movements help the Eustachian tube open.
Try the Valsalva manoeuvre (gently). Pinch your nose, close your mouth, and blow gently until your ears pop. Repeat every few minutes during descent.
Consider a nasal decongestant spray. Using one 20–30 minutes before landing may help if you’re congested or prone to allergies. (Always follow the instructions on the product.)
Stay awake for landing. If you’re asleep, you won’t swallow and pressure can build quickly.
Keep well hydrated. Dry air on planes can make the Eustachian tubes less responsive.

When to Seek Help

Most cases of airplane ear resolve on their own within a day or so, but it is worth seeking advice if symptoms persist. Contact a hearing specialist or your GP if you experience:

Ear pain lasting more than 24–48 hours
Persistent muffled hearing
Fluid or discharge from the ear
Severe pain during every flight
Symptoms only on one side

A simple hearing test and tympanogram can check how well the ears are equalising and rule out any underlying issues with middle ear function.

How Meadows & Wood Can Help

At Meadows & Wood Hearing Care, our audiologists can assess Eustachian tube function, investigate any underlying conditions that may be making flying uncomfortable, and offer personalised advice to help you travel with confidence. If flying has been causing you problems, or if you have noticed any changes in your hearing, we would be happy to help.

Call us on 01934 248426 or book a consultation online now to find out more.

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Nature’s Remarkable Hearing: What a Praying Mantis Can Teach Us

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:00:50 +0000

Spring is on its way, and with it comes warmer days and garden visitors, perhaps even some unexpected ones. Last autumn, praying mantises were spotted in Cornwall for the first time. With breeding populations already on the Isle of Wight and Channel Islands, it’s only a matter of time before these fascinating insects reach Somerset and Bristol.

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.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

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Living With Tinnitus: Why Love Means Listening

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:32:15 +0000

After a long cold winter, spending time with friends and family we love reminds us how much we cherish connection—conversations over dinner, quiet moments together, shared laughter with friends. But what happens when an uninvited sound keeps interrupting those precious times?

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.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

The post Living With Tinnitus: Why Love Means Listening appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

Age-Related Hearing Loss – What You Need to Know

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:13:52 +0000

As we age, we may notice changes in our hearing. The most common cause is presbycusis—age-related hearing loss—which affects most people over 69, though signs may appear earlier. It develops gradually as delicate nerve cells in the inner ear weaken, making some sounds harder to detect.

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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Go independent!

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:16:47 +0000

Go independent!

We often hear patients say, “I wish I’d come to you first”. Many arrive after being fitted with unsuitable hearing aids, confused by inconsistent advice, struggling with poor aftercare or disappointed by rushed appointments that offer one-size-fits-all solutions. That’s why we were so encouraged by the latest Which? hearing care survey of 1,500 hearing aid users. Independent hearing clinics consistently outperformed all major high-street chains. Patients rated independents highest for:

Quality and thoroughness of hearing assessments
Choice of hearing options, brands and models
Finding aids suited to individual needs and lifestyle
Meaningful follow-up care and support
Overall satisfaction and value

High-quality healthcare needs to be delivered by dedicated experts providing hearing care as a primary service. Unlike retail chains – often criticised for limited choice, patchy aftercare, and lack of continuity – independent clinics put patients before profit. At Meadows & Wood, we’re not bound by sales targets or national buying agreements. Instead, we focus on careful listening, accurate diagnostic tests, and matching the right technology to each patient. Continuity of care also matters. Patients value seeing the same clinician who knows their hearing history and can notice subtle changes – increasingly rare in larger chains. And aftercare is essential. Hearing aids aren’t a quick fix; they need ongoing service and patient support. Independent practices like ours offer faster follow-ups and personalised expert care. So, whether you’re exploring better hearing for the first time or have been let down elsewhere, we encourage you to explore the independent route. At Meadows & Wood, we’re here whenever you’re ready to hear more clearly again.

Request a Consultation

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The Future of Hearing Care

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 03:30:00 +0000

At Meadows & Wood, we’re proud to offer the latest hearing care technology as North Somerset’s only full-time, fully independent audiology and tinnitus treatment clinic. Our expert audiologists are here to support you with personalised care and state-of-the-art hearing solutions. Get in touch with our friendly team today by clicking the button below.

Get in touch with our friendly team using the details below.

Hearing aids have come a long way from the bulky, whistling devices many of us remember. Today’s models are discreet, high-tech, and designed to enhance every aspect of your life, not just your hearing.

The team at Meadows & Wood Hearing Care has just returned from visiting Starkey’s Global HQ in Minnesota; one of the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers. Alongside 50 audiologists from across the UK, we saw first-hand the incredible innovation and care behind Starkey’s devices. The best part? That same technology is available right here at our clinics in North Somerset and Bristol.

At Starkey’s impressive HQ, we saw how each hearing aid is rigorously tested for durability in all environments. Each device undergoes extreme tests, from being frozen in sub-zero temperatures, baked in high heat, and drenched in saline streams within pressurised chambers, ensuring long-lasting performance and reliability no matter the environment.

We also discovered Starkey’s latest cutting-edge technology. Their Edge AI model uses artificial intelligence to boost speech clarity by up to 30%, even in noisy environments like restaurants and family gatherings. With built-in 3D motion sensors, these devices can track steps, monitor social engagement, and even help detect falls before they happen.

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.

Get in touch with our friendly team using the details below.

Request a Consultation

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The Road to Better Hearing: Taking the First Step

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Thu, 01 May 2025 09:30:00 +0000

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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