Thanksgiving is the optimal time to reflect on all the things we tend to 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 throughout the holiday season, hearing generally takes a back seat—that is, until we begin paying greater attention.
To completely savor the holiday season necessitates being fully present, and that includes being alert to all the sounds that normally 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 aroma of roasting turkey filling up 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 full of hungry guests, you’re specifically not going to want to miss those timers.
- Conversations around the dining table – The holiday season is a chance to get everybody together for engaging conversation. You won’t want to miss out on any big news or amusing stories from the family members 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 dinner table carefully.
- Thanksgiving day football – To the disapproval 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 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 ensure that you catch all of the music and activities.
- Holiday movies – Has anyone ever not eaten too much at Thanksgiving dinner? Following the heavy tryptophan-filled meal and lots of socializing, it’s nice to sit back, relax, and watch your favorite movies.
All of these sounds add to 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 remaining fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.
Unfortunately, hearing loss can dull or eliminate several of these sounds. Missing out on worthwhile discussions, or not being able to hear the dialogue in movies, causes stress and anxiety that should have no part in the holiday celebrations.
That’s why we’re urging those with hearing loss to give some thought to the use of hearing aids prior to the holiday season. Hearing aids can enhance all five of the above sounds, bringing them into sharpened focus, possibly for the first time in many years.
It’s time to take back your holiday season—book your hearing test today!