Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to think about all the things we typically take for granted throughout the year.
And that includes our ability to hear.
While sight, taste, and smell are at the forefront of our mind during the holiday season, hearing generally takes a back seat—that is, until we start paying better attention.
To truly enjoy the holiday season necessitates being entirely present, and that includes being mindful of all the sounds that generally escape our full attention.
Below are five sounds to be mindful of and grateful for this Thanksgiving.
- The sound of food sizzling – You can’t beat the aroma of roasting turkey filling up the house, but have you ever paused to indulge in the sounds of a lively kitchen with food sizzling and popping and timers going off? With a house full of hungry guests, you’re specifically not going to want to miss those timers.
- Conversations around the table – The holiday season is an opportunity to get everyone together for engaging conversation. You won’t want to miss out on any big news or amusing stories from the family members you rarely get to see. And as for those you’d rather not hear from, you’ll just have to choose your seat at the dinner table carefully.
- Thanksgiving day football – To the disapproval of many non-football fans, the NFL has somehow incorporated itself into the holiday traditions. But for the sports fans in the family, the sounds of the crowd, the big hits, and the eruption after a touchdown are hard to match in intensity.
- Thanksgiving day parades – The sound of marching bands and cheering crowds in the background is a staple of Thanksgiving day. You’ll want to ensure that you catch all of the music and activities.
- Holiday movies – Has anyone ever not consumed too much at Thanksgiving dinner? Following the heavy tryptophan-filled meal and plenty of socializing, it’s nice to unwind, relax, and watch your favorite movies.
All of these sounds add to the full Thanksgiving experience, and the more mindful we are of them, the more we can enjoy the day. It’s an important part of staying fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.
Regretfully, hearing loss can dull or eliminate many of these sounds. Missing out on interesting conversations, or not being able to hear the dialogue in movies, creates stress and anxiousness that should have no part in the holiday celebrations.
That’s why we’re urging those with hearing loss to give some thought to the use of hearing aids prior to the holiday season. Hearing aids can amplify all five of the preceding sounds, bringing them into sharp focus, possibly for the first time in several years.
It’s time to take back your holiday season—arrange your hearing test today!