Thanksgiving is the optimal opportunity to think about all the things we tend to 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 begin paying better attention.
To completely enjoy the holiday season calls for being fully present, and that includes being alert to all the sounds that ordinarily escape our full attention.
Here 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 busy kitchen with food popping and sizzling and timers going off? With a house packed with hungry guests, you’re specifically not going to want to miss those timers.
- Conversations around the dining table – The holiday season is an opportunity to bring everyone together for engaging conversation. You won’t want to miss out on 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 choose your seat at the table carefully.
- Thanksgiving day football – To the discouragement of many non-football fans, the NFL has somehow incorporated 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 tough 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? After the big tryptophan-filled feast and plenty of socializing, it’s nice to unwind, relax, and watch your favorite films.
Each one 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 staying fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.
Regretfully, hearing loss can dull or eliminate many of these sounds. Missing out on worthwhile discussions, or not being able to hear the conversation in movies, creates stress and anxiousness that should have no part in the holiday celebrations.
That’s why we’re inviting those with hearing loss to give consideration to the use of hearing aids ahead of the holiday season. Hearing aids can optimize 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—book your hearing test today!