When people think about health risks in construction, it’s usually falls, heavy lifting, dust exposure and physical injuries that come to mind.

But there’s another long-term issue affecting thousands of workers across the industry that often goes unnoticed until the damage is already permanent.

According to occupational hearing surveillance data, construction workers are among those exposed to the highest levels of hazardous workplace noise. Research from the CDC found that 37% of construction workers were exposed to hazardous noise in the previous year, while 13% reported hearing difficulties and 7% reported tinnitus symptoms linked to workplace noise exposure. Even more concerning, 52% of noise-exposed construction workers admitted to not wearing hearing protection.
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Many workers spend years around loud equipment every day without realising how quickly safe exposure times fall as noise levels increase. To demonstrate this, we've created the Construction Noise Exposure Calculator below, which shows how recommended exposure times reduce as noise levels rise.

That faint pop every time you swallow. The crackle that creeps in during a flight or a stuffy cold. It can feel unsettling, especially when you're not sure if it's harmless or something worth a closer look.

The good news? Most popping sounds in the ear are completely normal and easy to manage once you know the cause.
​Here's what we'll cover:

• What a popping sound in the ear actually is
• Common causes, from pressure changes to earwax build-up
• How colds, allergies, and sinus issues play a role
• When tinnitus or middle ear concerns might be involved
• Simple fixes you can try at home
• Clear signs it's time to see a professional

Two grand for something the size of a coffee bean? It's enough to make anyone wince. But here's the bit most people miss: roughly 6.7 million people in the UK would benefit from hearing aids, yet only 2 million actually wear them, and price is one of the top reasons. The thing is, that price tag isn't just covering a tiny gadget. It's covering a small computer, years of aftercare, and the expertise to make it all actually work for your ears.
Here's what we'll break down in this article:

• The real engineering and R&D behind modern hearing aids
• What's included into the price (and what isn't)
• How technology tiers and lifestyle shape what you pay
• Smart ways to get genuine value without overpaying

If you're weighing up whether the cost is worth it, K&M Hearing Solutions can walk you through the options honestly. We're independent, family-run, and based right here in Truro, so you'll get straight answers, not a hard sell.

That dull throb behind your ear after a brutal week at work? It's not always a coincidence. Your body keeps score, and your ears might be the first place it shows up. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can quietly lower your immune defences, leaving your middle ear wide open to bacteria and viruses that would normally bounce right off.

Here's what we'll unpack in this article:
●      The biological link between chronic stress and ear infections
●      Telltale symptoms that point to a stress-driven flare-up
●      How to tell stress-related ear pain apart from a true infection
●      When you need professional advice or treatment

If your hearing issues keep nagging at you, the team at K&M Hearing Solutions is right here in Truro. We've been helping Cornwall locals get to the bottom of unexplained discomfort for years. Pop in for a chat or a hearing check when you're ready.

In this review, we take an in-depth look at the new Phonak Audéo Infinio Sphere, one of the most advanced hearing aid technology platforms currently available.

Designed to improve speech understanding in complex listening environments and reduce listening effort, this new hearing technology builds on the success of Phonak Lumity while introducing significantly increased computational capability.
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For many people with hearing loss, the real challenge is not hearing sound, it is understanding speech clearly when there is competing background noise. The Phonak Infinio Sphere has been developed specifically to address that problem.

On Monday 7 April 2026, World Health Day will be observed around the world. The date marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation in 1948 and serves as a reminder that good health should be accessible to everyone. The theme for 2026, “Global Action for Universal Health Coverage,” highlights something simple but powerful: people everywhere should be able to access the care they need without financial hardship.

When we think about global health, we often picture life-saving medicines, vaccines, and clean water. And rightly so. Around the world, millions of preventable illnesses still affect vulnerable communities. But health is not only about survival. It is about quality of life. It is about being able to connect, communicate, and participate fully in everyday moments.
And that includes your hearing.

Because a healthy life truly does start with your hearing.

This month marks a special milestone for K&M Hearing Solutions as we celebrate two years of caring for hearing health in Truro. What began as a small independent clinic with a clear vision has grown into a trusted local service supporting people across Cornwall with all aspects of hearing care.

Opening the clinic was driven by a simple belief: hearing care should be personal, unrushed, and centred around the individual. Over the past two years, we’ve welcomed people from Truro and surrounding areas, each with their own concerns, questions, and experiences. Being part of those journeys to better hearing has been the most rewarding part of what we do.

Hearing health is closely linked to how we experience everyday life. From conversations with family to enjoying music or simply resting in quiet moments, our hearing supports communication, confidence, and wellbeing. When tinnitus appears, it can be unsettling, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming. Tinnitus Awareness Week offers an opportunity to talk openly about tinnitus, explain what it is, and reassure people that support and effective management options are available.

Tinnitus Awareness Week is observed annually in February across the UK and is an important time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage people experiencing tinnitus to seek advice rather than struggling alone.

This blog explains what tinnitus is, why it happens, how it can affect daily life, including sleep, concentration, and wellbeing and outlines the professional hearing-health support that can help people manage tinnitus more effectively.

January is the perfect time to take a step back and think - New Year's resolutions aside, theres the comforting routine of putting the decorations away, and getting back to normal. And for a lot of us, that reflection is sparked off by the festive period just gone - especially if Christmas didn't quite sound like it used to.

Christmas is usually full of noise, conversations overlapping, laughter around the table, and stories shared throughout the day, the hum of the kitchen as everyone gathers round the table, children talking over the top of each other. But for a fair few, all that background chatter felt a bit harder to follow this year. You might find yourself nodding along to the radio, missing the punchline of a joke, or just generally feeling like you're standing outside a conversation with your family and friends.
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If that sounds like you, then you're not alone. And it doesn't mean you should just shrug it off. ​In this article, we look at why hearing can become harder in busy environments, the early signs to watch for, and how a simple hearing health check can help you feel more included again.