Barbie unveils first doll with hearing aid as part of inclusivity push
In a new set of firsts for Barbie, the latest in its “most diverse and inclusive” doll line yet will include a Barbie with hearing aids and a Ken doll with vitiligo, a condition where skin loses its pigment cells.
Mattel’s global head of Barbie Dolls, Lisa McKnight, said in a statement: “It’s important for kids to see themselves reflected in product and to encourage play with dolls that don’t resemble them, to help them understand and celebrate the importance of inclusion.”
Mattel said it worked alongside Dr Jen Richardson, a practitioner in educational audiology, to accurately model behind-the-ear devices for the doll.
“I’m honored to have worked with Barbie to create an accurate reflection of a doll with behind-the-ear hearing aids,” Richardson said. “As an educational audiologist with over 18 years of experience working in hearing loss advocacy, it’s inspiringto see those who experience hearing loss reflected in a doll.
“I’m beyond thrilled for my young patients to see and play with a doll who looks like them.”
The 2022 Fashionistas line, out next month, will also feature a Barbie with a prosthetic leg, a Barbie who uses a wheelchair, and male dolls that are thinner and less muscular.
Barbie has described its upcoming 175-look collection as its “most diverse and inclusive doll line, offering a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities, and fashions, to inspire even more stories”.
In recent years, Barbie has launched more inclusive doll lines including one inspired by real-life women who have upended societal norms. In 2017, Barbie released a doll wearing a hijab, modelled after Ibtihaj Muhammad, a fencer who became the first American to compete and win an Olympic medal wearing the garment.
Last year, Barbie launched a set of dolls that honoured Covid workers including vaccinologists, nurses and paramedics.
One of the dolls is modelled after Dame Sarah Gilbert, the co-creator of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
“I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into Stem careers and hope that children who see my Barbie will realise how vital careers in science are to help the world around us,” Gilbert told the Guardian.
“My wish is that my doll will show children careers they may not be aware of, like a vaccinologist.”