Whatever the reason you’ve moved on from an old device, it should never go in the bin. Hearing aids and their batteries are classed as electrical waste, and both are covered by UK regulations, the WEEE Regulations for the device itself, and the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations for the batteries, because of the small amount of metal they contain. Most supermarkets and pharmacies now have battery recycling points, and your local council will have a household recycling centre that accepts electrical items too. 

There’s also a more personal option. A number of charities restore and recycle old hearing aids, cleaning and reprogramming devices that still work, so they can go on to help someone who could not otherwise afford one. It’s a nice way for an old device to have a second life rather than sitting unused.

Either way, if you’d simply like advice on what to do with an old device, do call in, we’re always happy to point you in the right direction.

Get In Touch

Special Offer

If you’re holding onto an old device right now, there’s an easy way to make it count for something more. Find out how on our hearing aid amnesty page. This offer is from 1st October – 31st December 2026.

Hearing Aid Amnesty Special

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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.

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.

The post How to Protect Your Hearing Aids This Summer appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

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.

The post Hear Every Note: Why This Spring’s Live Music Season Deserves Your Full Attention appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

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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We’ve all been looking for creative ways to stay in touch with everyone, and we thought it was a good time to pass our ideas on to you. As well as friends and family, you can even use these tips to speak to us!

Using technology to bridge the gap

One of the first things we did was to start looking for a technological solution to the problem. We spoke to lots of people and found that video conferencing software, like Zoom, was becoming a popular way to have face-to-face conversations with anyone.

We were recommended Zoom and decided to try it. It’s a program that you can download on your computer, laptop, or phone that allows you to video chat with anyone. You can chat to 8 people at once, so it would be a great way to host your next book club.

It’s free too, so you don’t even have to worry about paying for the service. As with a lot of technology, though, it can be a little bit tricky to get set-up, so we’ll walk you through it…

How to get started with Zoom

First, you’re going to want to decide where to download Zoom to. This could be your computer, your mobile phone, or your tablet.

If you’re on the computer, open your internet browser and navigate to the Zoom website. Once you’re there, click the big “Sign up, It’s Free” button in the top right and follow the instructions. The steps are quite simple. First, you’ll enter your email address and it will ask for some simple information. Once you’re signed up, you can download the program, install it, and login with the email address and password that you set up.

If you’re on your tablet or phone, you’ll need to open whichever app store your device uses. For example, if you’re using an Apple product, you’ll need to open the App Store. For an Android product, you’ll need to open the Google Play Store. Search for Zoom in the app search bar and download it. Once the app has been downloaded, you can create an account through the app, sign in, and get started!

Now that you’ve got Zoom installed and ready to go, you can start chatting to friends and family. To create a ‘room’, simply press ‘New Meeting’ and then ‘Start Meeting’. To invite people, press ‘Participants’, then ‘Invite’ in the bottom left, and finally ‘Copy URL’. You can then send this URL to your friends and family so they can join the ‘room’ and start chatting to you.

If you have any problems, feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll see if we can give you a hand. Zoom have a great starting guide, though, if you’re stuck at any stage, just click here.

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