Thanksgiving is the optimal opportunity to think about all the things we usually take for granted throughout the year.
And that includes our capacity to hear.
While sight, taste, and smell are at the forefront of our mind during the holidays, hearing oftentimes takes a back seat—that is, until we begin paying greater attention.
To completely enjoy the holiday season calls for being entirely present, and that includes being alert to 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 a busy kitchen – You can’t match the aroma of roasting turkey filling the house, but have you ever paused to appreciate the sounds of a busy kitchen with food popping and sizzling and timers going off? With a house packed with hungry guests, you’re especially not going to want to miss those timers.
- Conversations around the dining table – The holiday season is an opportunity to get everybody together for stimulating conversation. You won’t want to miss any big news or amusing 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 disapproval of many non-football fans, the NFL has somehow included 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 anybody ever not consumed too much at Thanksgiving dinner? Following the heavy tryptophan-filled feast and lots of socializing, it’s nice to unwind, relax, and watch your favorite movies.
All of these sounds amplify the full Thanksgiving experience, and the more attentive we are of them, the more we can enjoy the day. It’s an important part of being fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.
Regrettably, hearing loss can weaken or eliminate many of these sounds. Missing out on important 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 people with hearing loss to consider the use of hearing aids in advance of the holiday season. Hearing aids can amplify all five of the preceding sounds, bringing them into sharp focus, potentially for the first time in many years.
It’s time to take back your holiday season—schedule your hearing test today!