Thanksgiving is the optimal opportunity to reflect on all the things we have the tendency to take for granted throughout the year.
And that includes our capacity to hear.
While sight, smell, and taste are at the forefront of our mind during the holidays, hearing generally takes a back seat—that is, until we start paying better attention.
To fully enjoy the holiday season necessitates being fully present, and that includes being mindful of all the sounds that in general escape our full attention.
The following are five sounds to be mindful of and grateful for this Thanksgiving.
- The sound of food sizzling – You can’t match the smell of roasting turkey filling 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 especially not going to want to miss those timers.
- Conversations around the dining table – The holiday season is a chance to bring everyone together for stimulating conversation. You won’t want to miss any big news or humorous stories from friends and family you hardly get to see. And as for those you’d rather not hear from, you’ll just have to pick your seat at the table carefully.
- Thanksgiving day football – To the discouragement of many non-football fans, the NFL has somehow included itself into the holiday tradition. But for the sports fans in the family, the sounds of the crowd, the big hits, and the eruption after a touchdown are difficult to match in intensity.
- Thanksgiving day parades – The sound of marching bands and applauding crowds in the background is a staple of Thanksgiving day. You’ll want to make sure you catch all of the music and festivities.
- Holiday movies – Has anyone ever not eaten too much at Thanksgiving dinner? After the heavy tryptophan-filled feast and lots of socializing, it’s nice to sit back, relax, and watch your favorite films.
All of these sounds amplify the full Thanksgiving experience, and the more mindful we are of them, the more we can enjoy the day. It’s part of remaining fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.
Unfortunately, hearing loss can weaken or eliminate many of these sounds. Missing out on worthwhile conversations, or not being able to hear the dialogue in movies, causes stress and anxiousness that should have no part in the holiday celebrations.
That’s why we’re encouraging those with hearing loss to give some thought to the use of hearing aids in advance of the holiday season. Hearing aids can enhance all five of the preceding sounds, bringing them into sharp focus, perhaps for the first time in years.
It’s time to take back your holiday season—book your hearing test today!