In June 2022, Mattel will release a new set of Barbies including one with hearing aids. The manufacturer wants children to play with dolls that look like them. Mattel hopes these dolls will help children embrace diversity and inclusion.
Mattel consulted with audiologist, Jen Richardson, AuD, to create the Barbie with hot pink, behind-the-ear hearing aids. These dolls will be launched in Walmart, Target and Amazon in June of 2022.
CNN Style. (2022) Barbie unveils its first-ever doll with hearing aids. (Accessed May 20, 2022).
Recent Posts
Using Supply and Demand to Identify Shortages in the Hearing Health Care Professional Workforce
Garuccio, Ukert, and Arnold (2025) analyzed changes in the hearing healthcare (HHC) workforce between 2012 and 2022. They also identified areas that had a shortage…
Hearing Loss Linked to Lower Income in Young Adults
Hearing loss, as well as tinnitus, has been correlated with socioeconomic factors such as reduced income and unemployment (Nadler, 2023). This correlation is even more impactful…
Tympanoplasty in Children: A Retrospective Study
The purpose of a tympanoplasty is to repair a hole in a tympanic membrane (TM). An important functional outcome of this surgery is to improve…
