Thanksgiving is the optimal occasion to reflect on all the things we have the tendency to 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 throughout the holiday season, hearing oftentimes takes a back seat—that is, until we start paying better attention.

To fully enjoy the holiday season requires being fully present, and that includes being alert to all the sounds that most of the time escape our full attention.

The following are five sounds to be mindful of and grateful for this Thanksgiving.

1. The sound of food sizzling – You can’t match the aroma of roasting turkey filling the house, but have you ever paused to appreciate the sounds of a lively kitchen with food sizzling and popping and timers going off? With a house packed with hungry guests, you’re specifically not going to want to miss those timers.
2. Conversations around the dining table – The holiday season is a chance to get everyone together for engaging conversation. You won’t want to miss any big news or interesting stories from the family members you rarely 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.
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 cheering crowds in the background is an essential of Thanksgiving day. You’ll want to make sure 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 lots of socializing, it’s nice to unwind, relax, and watch your favorite films.

All 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 remaining fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.

Regretfully, hearing loss can dull or eliminate many of these sounds. Missing out on worthwhile discussions, or not being able to hear the dialogue in movies, causes stress and anxiousness that should have no part in the holiday celebrations.

That’s why we’re inviting those with hearing loss to give some thought 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—schedule your hearing test today!