Happy New Year! As we step into 2026 with both feet, it’s not unusual to want to start off on the right foot—to leave the past behind, take control of our lives, and bring to fruition the things we would like to improve, accomplish, or become. And as a result, pave our way to better health, greater happiness, and stronger relationships with the people we care about.
As Oprah Winfrey once famously said, “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”
If you’re like us, you may seek out motivational quotes to light your way into the new year you want. And if you don’t, that’s OK. But truth be told, these words of wisdom don’t have to be empty phrases or “nice-to-haves”: In fact, choosing to treat your hearing loss this year can give you the power to bring these mantras to life—your life—in ways you never thought possible.
Let’s explore some of the best inspirational quotes for the new year and how they can guide us to happiness—with the help of better hearing.
On making the most of every moment:
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
– Robert Brault, author and aphorist
Deep down, we know there is beauty to be found in slowing down, cutting through life’s clutter, and being present for what counts. So many moments are just waiting to happen with each new year—but it’s the wonder of sound that transforms them into moments that matter:
That little red bird chirping out our window on a snowy day, like a spark of joy and warmth. Our newest little family member, giggling as we turn their favorite teddy bear into a tap dancer. That chorus of ‘happy birthday’ among friends—never in key yet always our favorite. The wind rustling through the trees, the waves splashing against the rocks, the crunch of our feet on a wooded trail—keeping us present and at the same time, at peace.
We all have moments we find ourselves embracing, and sound plays a big role in allowing these moments to embrace us, as well: It fuels our souls, connects us with our world, unites us with others, and instills memories of lasting joy.
With better hearing through hearing aids, all of it is ours to keep.
On improving overall health:
“It's up to you today to start making healthy choices. Not choices that are just healthy for your body, but healthy for your mind.”
– Steve Maraboli, author, speaker, athlete, veteran
We all understand that maintaining our best health is the foundation for a longer, more fulfilling life. If we start by treating our hearing loss in the new year, we may see a ripple effect in our physical and cognitive health over time.
Wearing hearing aids can help us stay fit through exercise, which is key to improving mood and sleep, plus helping prevent against health conditions such as stroke, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and falls. With better hearing and awareness over our surroundings, we can perform regular physical activity with reduced risk of falling.
And it wouldn’t be a new year’s resolution without the challenge, would it? Good news—we can use Starkey’s latest hearing technology to monitor our steps, track exercise movements, and even set activity goals to stay motivated.
Choosing better hearing is also choosing better brain health. After all, when we have difficulty hearing and communicating, we risk isolating from the people, activities, or work we enjoy—which can have a detrimental effect on our cognition and brain health.
Treating hearing loss, however, is not only associated with a reduced risk of dementia and depression, but has also been found to boost brain power, according to research—particularly in ways like solving problems, managing emotions, and making plans.
So, when it comes to better health in the new year, bring it on with better hearing.
On increasing quality time with loved ones:
“Celebrate the people in your life who are there because they love you for no other reason than because you are you.”
– Mandy Hale, author and speaker
Nothing brings more joy to life than being with those we care about. Whether it’s our own family or oldest friends, they love us, lift us up, and help us see the best in ourselves. So, we want to put more effort into spending time with our loved ones, nurturing our bonds, and being the biggest heroes to them as they are to us.
But truth be told, quality “togetherness” benefits everyone’s happiness and cognitive health—all the more reason to enjoy more of it this new year through better hearing.
Conversations are the ultimate key to connection—and the improved ability to hear what’s being said not only makes it easier to participate in them but also initiate them. Wearing hearing aids can help us become better listeners and communicators, thereby strengthening these special relationships (and undoubtedly have fun doing it!).
And the more the merrier—literally: Starkey’s newest hearing technology can help us pinpoint who’s speaking in group conversations or gatherings with background noise. This capability stays with us like a favorite wing person from room to room, situation to situation.
So this new year, let’s say goodbye to the risks of isolation and hello to the confidence to make more plans, share more joy, and be that hero to our heroes in life.
On trying something new:
“You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.”
– C.S. Lewis, author and scholar
That little flame inside of us that’s always yearning to try something new—it’s time to believe that it’s there to be fanned: Believe that we are never too old to visit that place, to try that thing, to take that course, or to change course completely. Pair that with our best hearing in the new year, and it’s “go” time.
We know that treating our hearing loss can help us stay physically active while maintaining our safety—so, where’s that place we’ve been dying to hike? Or is it gardening we wanted to dig into? It may even be time, once and for all, to train for that first 10K run. With better hearing, it’s all or everything.
Where do we want to go? The sky’s the limit with the help of hearing aids. They can take the work out of travel—assisting us with everything from hearing important airport announcements to communicating our needs to the flight attendant.
Wherever we land, we’ll experience the most out of it, with the ability to immerse ourselves in the sounds of different languages (which we can translate, by the way, using the latest hearing technology); nature, such as waves; highlights from our tour leader: and so on.
Why stop there when there’s so much to learn? Let’s sign up for that history course, knowing we won’t miss a word of the lecture. Learn how to dance with the awareness of other twirlers around us and the enjoyment of making new friends. Volunteer to help others, with the confidence in knowing we can be their difference by understanding what they need.
And then do it all again. We can—with our best hearing.
On treating your hearing loss in 2026:
“Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction.”
– Germany Kent, journalist, author, actor, and producer
So much of the power to make positive change in the new year lies in our choice to treat our hearing loss. Choosing to take care of our hearing health is choosing our best life through better health, greater happiness, and stronger connections with others—all brought to us by better hearing.
So, what are you waiting for? Take that easiest “first step” of the new year: Reach out to a licensed hearing care professional for a simple, painless hearing evaluation. And if it turns out you do have hearing loss, they will be happy to walk you through the best hearing solutions for your needs.