Merry and Bright…and Heard Just Right

Protecting Your Hearing During the Holidays

The holiday season arrives with a soundscape unlike any other. Sleigh bells ringing. Christmas music drifting through every store. The crackle of a fireplace on a snowy night. The laughter, chatter, and playful bickering of family gathered around the table. 

These sounds are more than background noise. They are memories. They are connection. They are Christmas – moments meant to be heard. But for millions of adults, especially those over 60, these sounds are becoming harder to hear. Hearing loss often develops slowly, so people may not realize how much they’re missing until the season feels quieter in all the wrong ways.

Why Holiday Hearing Matters

The sounds of Christmas are deeply tied to emotion and tradition. The “oohs and aahs” when the tree lights up. The squeals of children ripping open wrapping paper. Friendly family banter. 

When hearing becomes muffled or strained, these moments lose their richness. You might find yourself withdrawing from conversations or feeling disconnected at gatherings. Listening fatigue sets in. Asking people to repeat themselves becomes frustrating. And slowly, the joy of the season becomes harder to fully participate in.

Protecting Your Hearing Through the Holidays

The good news: many forms of hearing loss are preventable or manageable. And there are simple steps you can take this season to protect your hearing and keep the sounds of Christmas clear.

• Lower headphone volume. Keep it under 60 percent and take breaks every hour.

• Use earplugs in loud environments like concerts, parties, or holiday parades.

• Give your ears breaks from noise, especially after events or travel.

• Keep up with immunizations and avoid inserting anything into your ears, even cotton swabs.

• Schedule a baseline hearing test, especially if you’re 60 or older, or noticing ringing, fullness, or reduced clarity.

The Role of Hearing Aids in Holiday Seasons

Hearing aids cannot stop hearing loss, but they can profoundly improve your ability to enjoy the season. Modern hearing aids:

• Amplify speech and soften background noise

• Improve clarity in group settings

• Reduce listening fatigue

• Help you stay socially connected

• Allow you to enjoy music, conversation, and laughter with ease

While hearing aids don’t protect against loud noise exposure, they do help your brain work less hard to understand sound thereby preserving energy and improving your overall quality of life during busy holiday gatherings.

Make This the Year You Hear It All

Christmas comes alive through its sounds. If you have been missing pieces of the season, or straining to keep up during conversations, now is the perfect time to act.

Call Advanced Audiology Associates for an appointment at their Marstons Mills office at 508-539-9780 or their Yarmouth Port office at 508-385-5222, or visit them online at hearingonthecape.com. Let this be the year you hear every bell, laugh, and carol in full.