Uncategorized Archives - Meadows+Wood Hearing Care

Understanding Earwax: When to Worry and When to Leave It Alone

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:32 +0000

By Claire, Practice Manager & Hearing Care Assistant at Meadows & Wood Hearing Care

It might not be the most glamorous of topics, but earwax matters more than most people realise. It gets a bad reputation, but it is your ear’s own cleaning system. It traps dust and debris, protects the ear canal, and in most cases works its way out naturally. The ears are very good at looking after themselves.

By Claire, Practice Manager & Hearing Care Assistant at Meadows & Wood Hearing Care

It might not be the most glamorous of topics, but earwax matters more than most people realise. It gets a bad reputation, but it is your ear’s own cleaning system. It traps dust and debris, protects the ear canal, and in most cases works its way out naturally. The ears are very good at looking after themselves.

When should you leave it alone?

The rule of thumb is reassuringly simple: if your hearing is clear and your ears are comfortable, leave well alone. No itching, no sensation of blockage, no muffled sound? Your ears are doing exactly what they should. Earwax colour and texture vary considerably from person to person and have very little bearing on whether anything is wrong.

Signs you may need help

There are times when earwax needs a helping hand. If you experience any of the following, it is worth booking an appointment: muffled or reduced hearing that has come on gradually; a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear; tinnitus, whether ringing, buzzing or other sounds; itching or discomfort inside the ear canal; or a persistent sensation that something is blocking your ear. These are all common signs of a build-up that has compacted.

Why DIY removal is risky

Problems start when we interfere. Cotton buds, fingers, ear candles: all are notorious for pushing wax deeper into the ear canal, where it can compact and cause real difficulties. Blocked earwax is one of the most common causes of muffled hearing, tinnitus and that persistent feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear.

Both Toby and I see patients who have been struggling for weeks, having tried all sorts at home and often made things worse without realising. A quick appointment is usually all it takes to sort it out completely.

Professional earwax removal at Meadows & Wood

At Meadows & Wood we use microsuction and irrigation: two safe, gentle and clinically approved techniques. Microsuction uses a fine suction probe to remove wax carefully without water, while irrigation uses a gentle flow of warm water to flush the ear canal clear. Your audiologist will advise which is most appropriate for you.

Qualifications matter as much as technique. Not every earwax removal provider has the same level of training, so it is always worth checking before you book. Our whole team is fully qualified, and we take that seriously.

We see patients from across North Somerset and Bristol, with clinics in Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Shirehampton, Clevedon and Worle.

Some of the things we find

Earwax removal can throw up some unexpected surprises. Over the years we have found everything from glitter left over from hen nights to an earring back that had been missing for a full decade, and even a small fungal growth that looked remarkably like tiny daisies growing inside the ear canal. That last one needed a swift referral to the patient’s GP. Earwax, it turns out, can hide all sorts of secrets.

Book an appointment

If you have noticed muffled hearing, a blocked feeling or any discomfort in your ears, do not ignore it. Our friendly, fully qualified team is here to help. Call us on 01934 248426 or make an appointment now online at your nearest clinic. Home visits are also available for ear wax removal, please ask our team for details.

The post Understanding Earwax: When to Worry and When to Leave It Alone appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

Lost & Found on Clifton Downs

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:55:00 +0000

A heart warming story from Toby, our Managing Director.

As hearing devices have become smaller and more discreet, the worry of losing them has grown for many users. Recently, as the Autumn leaves fell, we had a frantic call from a client who had lost his hearing aid on an afternoon walk. He’d covered a couple of miles before realising one of his tiny aids — no bigger than a fingernail — was missing somewhere on Clifton Downs in Briston!

After checking his clothes and hat with no luck, he remembered that we’d discussed a feature in the companion app called “Find My Hearing Aid.” I was away from my desk at the time, so one of our assistant tech experts called him during his walk to guide him through the process. Using his phone, he retraced his route, watching the Bluetooth signal strength between his aids and phone grow stronger as he approached the lost device — a high-tech version of the classic “hotter/colder” game!

Depending on the model, some hearing aids can even flash an LED light or emit a high-pitched tone to help locate them. Thankfully, this client was able to recover his lost aid.

Support for features like this — along with many others — is often only available when you choose the very best in hearing technology through dedicated hearing specialists like us, your local independent audiologists in Bristol, Worle, Shirehampton, Portishead and Clevedon.

We always strive to go the extra mile. Are you curious about the latest hearing technology? Concerned about your own hearing or that of a loved one? We’re here for you at North Somerset’s only full-time, fully independent audiology and tinnitus treatment clinic, with locations across the region.

Call us on 01934 248426 for your next hearing appointment. We look forward to seeing you.

Toby Meadows

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

The post Lost & Found on Clifton Downs appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

Could Science Help Us Hear Naturally Again?

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 21:15:00 +0000

‘Hello!’ from the team at Meadows & Wood Hearing Care Specialists. We’re excited to share some interesting research we came across that could, one day, transform the way we treat hearing loss, especially as we get older.

A recent study from the University of Southern California has uncovered how certain regenerative species, like fish and lizards, can naturally regenerate their hearing. The secret lies in two very special types of inner ear cells:

Sensory cells: These detect sounds and send signals to the brain.
Supporting cells: These maintain a healthy environment for sensory cells to function properly.

When the sensory cells of these regenerative species are damaged, they are replaced by supporting cells, which then transform into brand-new sensory cells helping to restore their hearing completely. Sadly, this isn’t something humans can do – yet!

Researchers have also discovered a set of DNA elements called ‘enhancers’, which play a crucial role in regenerating hearing. After an injury, these enhancers produce a protein called ATOH1, which activates genes needed to grow new sensory cells. When scientists removed these enhancers in zebrafish, the fish could no longer regenerate their hearing – proving just how powerful these tiny DNA elements are.

What does this mean for humans?

While this research is still in its early stages, it could one day lead to new therapies that can reactivate these enhancers in humans, helping us naturally restore our hearing cells.

In the meantime, if you’ve noticed any changes in your hearing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. At Meadows & Wood, we offer expert, friendly, and personalised advice in a warm and welcoming environment.

As North Somerset’s only full-time, fully independent audiology and tinnitus treatment clinic, we’re here to support you every step of the way on your hearing journey. Get in touch with our friendly team today by clicking the button below.

Request a Consultation

The post Could Science Help Us Hear Naturally Again? appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

Can you hear the birds chirping away? Is It time for a hearing Test?

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

One of our clients recently shared a lovely story during their follow-up appointment. After being fitted with hearing aids last winter, he was amazed to hear the birds singing around his home again. He’d initially thought there were fewer birds around or they’d simply lost their voices! Moments like this remind us how precious our hearing is and why it’s worth looking after.

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, whether you’re gardening or taking a walk with loved ones. However, some outdoor activities can expose us to loud noises that may harm our hearing and lead to hearing loss over time. It’s important to be mindful of sounds like lawn mowers or leaf blowers which can reach noise levels of 80 to 96 decibels. Wearing earplugs is a simple way to protect your ears while keeping your garden fresh and tidy.

April can bring some light showers, which can often lead to increased moisture, so if you love spending time outdoors, be sure to take care of your hearing devices, cleaning and drying them daily. You could also consider waterproof hearing aid devices, like Signia’s Pure Charge & Go, which has an optional Dry&Clean charger, refreshing your devices in just 15 minutes – which is very handy for the unpredictable Somerset weather.

While you’re out and about, pause and listen to the birds. If the high-pitched tweets begin to seem faint, it might be time to book an Ear Health Consultation.

At Meadows & Wood, fully independent audiology and tinnitus treatment clinic, we’re here to help you improve your hearing. If you have any questions about your hearing health, give us a quick call. Book a Consultation with us today.

Book a Consultation

The post Can you hear the birds chirping away? Is It time for a hearing Test? appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

What Happens During a Hearing Test at Meadows & Wood?

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:37:07 +0000

‘Hello’ to our dear friends from Toby, Claire, Emma, Sam, and of course, Charlie the dog, at Meadows & Wood Hearing Care.

We understand that attending your first hearing test can feel a bit daunting. At Meadows & Wood, we strive to provide expert hearing care in a relaxed environment, ensuring you receive the best possible advice and service.

Upon arrival at one of our clinics, you will be greeted by a friendly team member and invited into our comfortable waiting area. An experienced Audiologist will then introduce themselves and discuss your concerns, symptoms and any family history of hearing loss.

The hearing test begins with an otoscopy to examine your outer ear and eardrum, checking for blockages or other concerns. Next, a tympanometry test will evaluate the functioning of your middle ear. This is followed by a pure tone audiometry test, where you’ll wear headphones and be asked to respond to a series of sounds at different frequencies and volumes. This helps determine your hearing threshold and identify any potential hearing loss. We will also conduct a word recognition test to evaluate your ability to understand speech at various volume levels.

Following these tests, your Audiologist will explain the results to you in detail. If hearing loss is detected, they will discuss potential treatment options, which may include microsuction, hearing aids, or even referral to other medical professionals. Our Audiologists can also fit hearing aids during your appointment, allowing you to leave with improved hearing straight away.

We’re here to help you. As North Somerset’s only full-time, independent family audiology clinic, we would be pleased to offer you a free hearing check-up and have a chat about your hearing. Visit us at any of our North Somerset clinics or book a consultation with us today.

The post What Happens During a Hearing Test at Meadows & Wood? appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

The Impact of Winter Weather for Those with Hearing Loss

Meadows+Wood Hearing Care — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 16:10:12 +0000

A warm welcome from Mia, Claire and Toby at Meadows & Wood Hearing Care Specialists.

We are slowly coming to the end of the Winter, and enjoying spending more time outside. However, the winter can pose unique challenges for us all. Research indicates that colder days have placed those with hearing loss at a higher risk of loneliness, emphasising the importance of looking out for those around us.

Hearing loss impacts approximately 30-35% of adults aged 65 to 75, and over 50% for those aged 75 and above. When combining with the fact that 1.4 million older people in the UK often feel lonely, the risk of isolation becomes even more pronounced during winter.

Recent data from the UK reveals that using hearing aids can reduce depression symptoms, enhance sleep quality, and reduce evening exhaustion. These factors can directly impact an individuals ability to socialize with others, which can reduce feelings of loneliness.

Our Tips to Combat Loneliness:

1. Community Engagement: Join in community events, clubs, and gatherings specifically designed for those with hearing loss. Creating inclusive spaces fosters connections and combats isolation.
2. Check-In Campaigns: Establish regular check-ins with elderly neighbours, or family members. A simple phone call or visit can make a world of difference during the darker, colder months.
3. Attend a Hearing Check-Up: Encourage individuals with hearing loss to attend a hearing check-up, where they can explore their hearing aid options. A new hearing aid might be that boost of confidence that you need. Please do not hesitate to get in touch, our team are here to help you with any issues you may have.

If you or your loved one are struggling with hearing, 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. Book a consultation today.

The post The Impact of Winter Weather for Those with Hearing Loss appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.