5 Sounds to be Mindful of This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the optimal time to think about all the things we tend to take for granted throughout the year.

And that includes our ability to hear.

While sight, smell, and taste are at the forefront of our mind throughout the holiday season, hearing generally takes a back seat—that is, until we start paying greater attention.

To completely enjoy the holiday season necessitates being fully present, and that includes being alert to all the sounds that in general escape our full attention.

Below are five sounds to be mindful of and thankful for this Thanksgiving.

1. The sound of a busy kitchen – You can’t match the aroma of roasting turkey filling the house, but have you ever paused to indulge in the sounds of a busy kitchen with food sizzling and popping and timers going off? With a house full of hungry guests, you’re specifically not going to want to miss those timers.
2. Conversations around the dining table – The holiday season is an opportunity to bring everybody together for stimulating conversation. You won’t want to miss 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 choose your seat at the table carefully.
3. 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.
4. 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 festivities.
5. Holiday movies – Has anyone ever not consumed too much at Thanksgiving dinner? After the heavy tryptophan-filled feast and plenty of socializing, it’s nice to unwind, relax, and watch your favorite movies.

Each one of these sounds enhance the complete Thanksgiving experience, and the more mindful we are of them, the more we can enjoy the day. It’s part of remaining fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.

Regrettably, hearing loss can weaken or eliminate many of these sounds. Missing out on important discussions, or not being able to hear the conversation in movies, brings about stress and anxiousness 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 boost all five of the preceding sounds, bringing them into sharp focus, perhaps for the first time in years.

It’s time to take back your holiday season—arrange your hearing test today!