Thanksgiving is the optimal occasion 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 front of our mind during the holidays, hearing oftentimes takes a back seat—that is, until we begin paying greater attention.
To truly savor the holiday season calls for being fully present, and that includes being alert to all the sounds that most of the time 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 match the smell of roasting turkey filling up 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 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 bring everyone together for stimulating conversation. You won’t want to miss out on any big news or interesting 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 tough to match in intensity.
- Thanksgiving day parades – The sound of marching bands and applauding crowds in the background is an essential of Thanksgiving day. You’ll want to make sure you catch all of the music and festivities.
- Holiday movies – Has anybody ever not consumed too much at Thanksgiving dinner? Following the big tryptophan-filled meal and plenty of socializing, it’s nice to sit back, relax, and watch your favorite movies.
Each one of these sounds augment the complete Thanksgiving experience, and the more attentive 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 worthwhile conversations, or not being able to hear the conversation in movies, creates stress and anxiety that should have no part in the holiday celebrations.
That’s why we’re urging those with hearing loss to give consideration to the use of hearing aids prior to the holiday season. Hearing aids can enhance 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!