Hearing aids that look like earrings? Reframing hearing loss in 2024.
Hearing aid technology has been researched and developed for over a century. Throughout this time, hearing aid styles have gradually grown smaller, slimmer, more discreet. There’s been a massive surge in demand for more user-friendly and aesthetic - or less visible - hearing aids, as people with reduced hearing ability expect more discreet, up-to-date options. And the demand from those experiencing hearing loss keeps growing.
The tide is turning. Recently there’s also been growing demand for hearing aid accessories and jewelry that help make a hearing loss, which is often concealed, more visible and worth flaunting. And why on earth not?
Interestingly, the paediatric hearing aid accessories are probably in the lead, with adult styles of hearing aids that look like jewelery, taking their cue for novelty from that.
Children generally experience more awkwardness and curiosity from others, relating to their hearing aids, in the classroom and playground. In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in parents accessorising their child's hearing devices themselves, often changing the style daily. The result: a cool fashion accessory which gives the child a fashion identity they can feel good about, and even flaunt.
The the young adult sector started preparing for take-off with this trend when a young entrepreneur in the US began making charms for her own hearing aids. Essentially, making hearing aid earrings. This novel idea created demand among her school friends. It wasn’t long before this young creator had a website and an Etsy account selling hearing charms and accessories to people around the world.
A powerful project by artist Elana Langer and photographer Hanna Agar, called Tools of Life, aimed to challenge the social stigma and discomfort associated with reduced hearing ability. The images show a woman in every-day scenarios wearing glam diamond-encrusted hearing aids. The photo story also features the same woman with an exquisitely decorated walking aid. Amazing how a physical human challenge can kickstart a trend!
"Having hearing aids be just as beautiful as earrings; it felt like a celebration of life and what we can do, instead a reminder of what we lack," commented Hanna Agar, photographer.
We love that more people are finding ways to wear their hearing devices proudly, making them work quite seamlessly with their individual style. Hearing aid accessories and jewelery that has hearing technology built into it, is a trend to watch. In recent years, hearing aids have been designed with far more personalisation capability. Combined with the now universal trend of wearing in-ear headphones (such as Apple iPods), we are looking forward to seeing people wanting to both improve their hearing, with ear devices as accessories and a normal part of life, much the same as wearing spectacles to improve sight.