May 2025

Deaf Awareness Week is a time to reflect on the importance of inclusion, understanding, and communication. Taking place from May 5 to 11, the week highlights the experiences of deaf and hard of hearing individuals, while encouraging everyone to break down barriers and challenge misconceptions.
This year’s theme, "Breaking Barriers", is a call to action. Across the UK, schools, workplaces, charities, and community groups are coming together to champion accessibility, celebrate deaf culture, and promote better communication practices.

From British Sign Language (BSL) workshops to awareness talks and inclusive events, there's something for everyone to get involved in. Even small changes can make a big impact - like learning a few signs, being more mindful in conversations, or improving accessibility in your environment.

👂 How Can You Support Deaf Awareness Week?    

• Always face the person you're speaking to 
• Speak clearly, slowly, and steadily
• Don’t cover your mouth - this helps with lip reading 
• Be patient - repeat or rephrase if needed 
• Consider learning basic BSL signs 

Let’s take this week to listen, learn, and create a more inclusive world - where every voice, spoken or signed, is heard and valued.
To learn more about how hearing loss can impact daily life, read our latest blog or visit Hearing Loss Cornwall for local support, resources, and training opportunities.  

Kara is a Council Member!

I’m honoured to share that I’ve recently joined the Council of the Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals (AIHHP). With over 20 years as a fully qualified audiologist, I’ve long admired AIHHP’s mission to raise clinical standards, support independent practices, and promote excellence across the hearing care sector. Being elected to the council is both a privilege and a responsibility I take to heart. In my everyday work at the clinic, I see the profound difference that personalised, independent hearing care makes in people’s lives. This fuels my passion not only for patient care, but for contributing to the wider profession - ensuring we grow, adapt, and thrive in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. 
  
As part of the council, I look forward to: 

• Supporting fellow members by sharing knowledge, ideas, and collaborative solutions. 
• Contributing strategically to AIHHP’s direction and maintaining the highest clinical standards. 
• Advocating for the role of independent audiology in delivering truly patient-centred care. ​

There’s a tremendous amount of important work happening behind the scenes at AIHHP. It’s energising to be part of a team that’s deeply committed - not just to supporting hearing professionals, but to the patients we serve every single day. 

As a council member, I’ll be helping to promote AIHHP’s core aims, which include: 

• A greater public understanding and appreciation of the sense of hearing. 
• Encouraging regular hearing checks throughout life by qualified professionals. 
• Supporting effective prevention and treatment of hearing loss. 
• Upholding the highest professional standards in UK hearing care. 

Weekly Wellbeing with Twin Hearts Meditation

Looking to restore balance, find inner peace, and give back to your community?
We are proud to be an active part of the local community and give back where we can! As such we are proud to offer our premises with all donations going to charity for weekly meditation sessions - and Therese brings the expertise! (You may recall me mentioning Therese, my wild water swimming partner in my posts on Facebook! Pic below)

Every Thursday evening, we open our Kenwyn Street practice free of charge to host Twin Hearts Meditation. This powerful guided session activates the heart and crown energy centres, helping you radiate loving-kindness to the world while deepening your spiritual connection and inner calm.

Meditation: 5:45 PM – 6:30 PM
Healing Clinic: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: K&M Hearing Solutions, 13 Kenwyn Street, Truro

A suggested donation supports the Institute of Inner Studies and helps fund a monthly supper for the homeless. Everyone is welcome - whether you're completely new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice.

For more information and to book your place, visit:
www.pranichealingcornwall.co.uk

Jamaica Ginger Cake

On Stuart's behalf I bring to you Jamaican Ginger Cake 😇

Serves: 8 -10
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr - 1 hr 20 mins
Storage: Keeps in an airtight container for up to 1 week

Ingredients

• 120g unsalted butter, softened (plus extra for greasing tin)
• 285g plain flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp fine salt
• 200g light brown soft sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 80ml stem ginger syrup (from a jar), plus extra for brushing
• 50ml honey
• 110ml coconut milk (shaken if using canned)

Method

1. Preheat Oven
   Heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / Gas 4. Grease and line a 900g (2lb) loaf tin with baking parchment.
   
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
   In a bowl, whisk together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, mixed spice, ground ginger, and salt.
   
3. Beat Wet Ingredients
   In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric whisk until light and fluffy (3 - 5 minutes). Add eggs, vanilla, stem ginger syrup, honey, and coconut milk. Beat again until smooth.
   
4. Combine and Fold
   Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined - do not overmix.
   
5. Bake
   Pour into the prepared tin and smooth the top. Bake on the middle shelf for 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
   
6. Finish and Cool
   While warm, brush the top with extra stem ginger syrup for shine and extra flavour. Cool completely in the tin before slicing.
   

Allergen InformationContains: wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (butter), and may contain traces of nuts if store-bought ingredients are used.

Dave's Brain Teaser Corner 

Word Wheel Rules:
​Unscramble the jumbled nine-letter word and identify as many additional words as possible using the middle letter - there are 50 words with four or more letters, but looking at them I think 20 is a good score!