Thanksgiving is the ideal time to reflect on all the things we typically 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 during the holidays, hearing often takes a back seat—that is, until we begin paying greater attention.

To completely savor the holiday season calls for being fully present, and that includes being alert to all the sounds that in most cases escape our full attention.

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

1. 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 especially not going to want to miss those timers.
2. Conversations around the dining 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 humorous 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 choose your seat at the table carefully.
3. 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 difficult 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 activities.
5. Holiday movies – Has anybody ever not eaten too much at Thanksgiving dinner? After the heavy tryptophan-filled meal and lots of socializing, it’s nice to unwind, relax, and watch your favorite movies.

Each one of these sounds amplify the full Thanksgiving experience, and the more attentive we are of them, the more we can savor the day. It’s part of staying fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.

Unfortunately, hearing loss can dull or eliminate several of these sounds. Missing out on important conversations, or not being able to hear the dialogue 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 some thought to the use of hearing aids ahead of the holiday season. Hearing aids can enhance all five of the above sounds, bringing them into sharpened focus, possibly for the first time in several years.

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