Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to reflect on all the things we typically take for granted throughout the year.
And that includes our capacity to hear.
While sight, smell, and taste are at the front of our mind during the holiday season, hearing commonly takes a back seat—that is, until we begin paying better attention.
To truly enjoy the holiday season requires being fully present, and that includes being mindful of all the sounds that normally escape our full attention.
Here are five sounds to be mindful of and thankful for this Thanksgiving.
- The sound of a busy kitchen – You can’t beat the aroma of roasting turkey filling the house, but have you ever paused to appreciate the sounds of a lively kitchen with food popping and sizzling and timers going off? With a house filled with hungry guests, you’re specifically not going to want to miss those timers.
- Conversations around the table – The holiday season is a chance to get everyone together for engaging conversation. You won’t want to miss any big news or humorous stories from friends and family you rarely get to see. And as for those you’d rather not hear from, you’ll just have to select your seat at the dinner table carefully.
- Thanksgiving day football – To the discouragement 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 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 make sure you catch all of the music and festivities.
- Holiday movies – Has anybody ever not eaten too much at Thanksgiving dinner? After the heavy tryptophan-filled feast and lots of socializing, it’s nice to unwind, relax, and watch your favorite movies.
All of these sounds augment 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.
Regretfully, hearing loss can weaken or eliminate several of these sounds. Missing out on important conversations, or not being able to hear the conversation in movies, causes stress and anxiousness that should have no part in the holiday celebrations.
That’s why we’re inviting people with hearing loss to consider the use of hearing aids prior to the holiday season. Hearing aids can augment all five of the preceding sounds, bringing them into sharpened focus, potentially for the first time in years.
It’s time to take back your holiday season—arrange your hearing test today!