Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to think about all the things we generally take for granted throughout the year.
And that includes our capacity to hear.
While sight, smell, and taste are at the forefront of our mind during the holidays, hearing oftentimes takes a back seat—that is, until we start paying better attention.
To fully enjoy the holiday season necessitates being fully present, and that includes being alert to all the sounds that typically escape our full attention.
The following are five sounds to be mindful of and grateful for this Thanksgiving.
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- The sound of food sizzling – You can’t match the smell 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.
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- Conversations around the table – The holiday season is a chance to bring everybody together for engaging conversation. You won’t want to miss any big news or humorous 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 choose your seat at the table carefully.
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- Thanksgiving day football – To the dismay 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 hard to match in intensity.
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- Thanksgiving day parades – The sound of marching bands and cheering crowds in the background is an essential part of Thanksgiving day. You’ll want to make sure 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 feast and plenty of socializing, it’s nice to unwind, relax, and watch your favorite films.
Each of these sounds enhance the complete Thanksgiving experience, and the more mindful we are of them, the more we can savor the day. It’s part of remaining fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.
Regretfully, hearing loss can weaken or eliminate several 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 urging people with hearing loss to give consideration to the use of hearing aids ahead of the holiday season. Hearing aids can amplify all five of the preceding sounds, bringing them into sharpened focus, possibly for the first time in years.
It’s time to take back your holiday season—book your hearing test today!