Fashion Let’s Bring Bling to Hearing. Pat Dobbs

Let’s Bring Bling to Hearing

Wouldn’t it be cool if manufacturers of hearing aids partnered with designers like Gucci and Prada to make beautiful hearing aids, much like designer eyeglass frames? By Pat Dobbs

Manufacturers these days advertise that their hearing aids are small and inconspicuous. Why small and inconspicuous? What’s wrong with people seeing our hearing aids or cochlear implants?

I hate to say it but I believe people with hearing loss have bought into the negative stereotypes of hearing loss like old, less intelligent, and out of it. So of course they want to hide their hearing aids. Who wants to be thought about with those negative descriptions? Hearing loss manufacturers are just delivering what people want.

But in our hearts, we know the stigma of hearing loss isn’t true. Sure, many of us are over age 60, but 60 percent of the 48 million Americans with hearing loss are still in the workforce, according to a 2010 MarkeTrak report. So, the majority of us are not “old.”

As for appearing out of it or not very intelligent—that’s also not true. We just missed what was said.

It’s not easy to let go of these negative stereotypes. I believed them for years. Rather than telling people I couldn’t hear them, I bluffed and pretended that I had. I also wore my hair so that my aids were covered.

I finally realized that my hearing loss is just that— hearing loss—and has nothing to do with my intelligence.

I now want people to notice my devices. That way, if I miss something, I can easily explain why and suggest how they can speak to me so I can understand them better.

Small and discreet should no longer be a selling point. All we should care about is that the aids help us hear better and that they are affordable. Then designers will recognize a potential market for partnering with manufacturers to make beautiful and exciting designs for our devices.

I realize there are already various colors and designs available for hearing devices that are beautiful and fun. But I would love to be able to show off my Gucci hearing aids not only because they help me hear better but also because they’re so exquisite.

If you wore eyeglasses decades ago, you were made fun of and often called “four eyes.” My oldest sister wore glasses as a child, but there are no pictures of her wearing them. That’s because my mother was embarrassed and would remove them before photos. Now eyeglass frames (even with fake lenses) are fashionable.

It’s entirely possible for hearing aids and cochlear implants to become fashion statements. My implants could display a pearl surrounded by dangling gems, maybe in place of earrings.

The most important point, however, is that we let go of the feeling of being somehow less because of our hearing loss. Our loss does not make us less. When we realize that, all good things will fall into place.

Pat Dobbs suggests we show off our hearing devices, not hide them.

Pat Dobbs launched the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Morris County Chapter in New Jersey, serving as president. Now a Maine resident, she is the president of SayWhatClub, a global online hearing loss support group. For more, see Hearing Loss Evolution, at hearinglossevolution.com.

The U.K.’s Bijoux De Mimi has a hearing aid-friendly jewelry collection—as does the writer opposite.

Share your story: Have you dressed up your hearing devices? Tell us at editor@hhf.org.

See Me Hear

When her daughter wanted to hide her hearing aids, she saw an opportunity to make them shine. By Charlotta Norgaard

In 2003, I was given the first of many diagnoses: systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus for short). This diagnosis would later be the reason why I had to wait many years to have a child.

Although hard for the doctors to believe, I became pregnant and in 2014 gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The birth was highly problematic, with both of us clinging on to dear life.

Our baby would come into this world with what appeared to be permanent kidney, liver, and brain damage. But I told Lea (over and over again) to fight and show them that she was meant to live. I knew Lea could prove them all wrong.

Against all odds, Lea survived. But the medication that saved her life unfortunately caused bilateral hearing loss and she received hearing aids as an infant.

I had always insisted that Lea’s ears (aka her hearing aids) were amazing. I instilled in Lea that her magic ears were her best feature. Together we celebrated every single pair of earmolds and hearing aids by decorating them with colors, glitter, and stickers.

Until that wasn’t enough. As Lea grew older, she became acutely aware that she was different due to her hearing loss and became sad and didn’t want to wear them. I decided to create something that could let Lea celebrate her magic ears. Inspired by a favorite candy, I created gummy bear hearing aid earrings.

Their success was tremendous. The hospital, the hearing center, and all other parents were eager for this “ear bling” to make hearing loss fun for their little ones. So today I produce handmade hearing aid earrings that are fun, happy, and colorful—perfect for younger girls and teens. The earrings are made to fit on the hearing aid tube and not irritate the ear or the quality of hearing.

Now Lea is 8 years old and healthy. All her medical concerns have disappeared, and she is just like every other little girl out there changing her (hearing aid) earrings every day to fit her outfit and mood.

My husband and I have always been open to conversations about Lea’s hearing aids, to normalize hearing loss and treatment. I created the earrings precisely so others would notice the hearing aids and see how cool they are. The earrings reflect the wearer’s personality and bring out a smile, or even a jealous stare! Funnily enough, everyone is so mesmerized by the cute earrings that they don’t see the hearing aids.

We cannot hide that we or our kids need assistance to hear. That is why I named the business See Me Hear, because I want you to notice the hearing aids and for kids to be okay with them—even proud.

Our kids’ hearing devices allow them to hear better. And that should be celebrated because that is truly magical.

She is just like every other little girl out there changing her (hearing aid) earrings every day to fit her outfit and mood.

Fun and colorful, the handmade earrings fit on the hearing aid tube.

Charlotta Norgaard lives with her family in Denmark. See Me Hear hearing aid accessories can be purchased in the U.S. with shipping from California at etsy.com/dk-en/shop/VikingWorld, and in Denmark at facebook.com/See-MeHear-101011982770927.