Love Island 2022 has given us lots of things to ponder over. Ikenna's crocs, 'relationship tests', Ekin-de's enemies to lovers arc. Most importantly though, it has introduced us to the Island's first deaf contestant, Tasha Ghouri.
After deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis lifted the Strictly glitterball trophy with our favourite Italian Giovanni Pernice (sorry Davide) in 2021- it's exciting to see more deaf-community representation with Tasha. As well as creating a space for conversations to be had about hearing-impaired disabilities, Tasha is fashionable as heck. So, when we heard that cochlear implant jewellery was a thing, we were over the moon.
Cochlear implant and hearing aid jewellery is something Tasha would defo vibe with. They're essentially pieces of jewellery that hang off hearing devices, with added charms and bling if you're in the mood. It's truly a way to, as Tasha would say, show off your superpower. Funnily enough, in 2021, before we knew her on Love Island, Tasha went viral for being the first ASOS model to wear a hearing device on the site. Who knew she'd be on our TV screens just a year later.
Before we get into our picks of the top cochlear implant and hearing aid jewellery you can buy online, let's educate ourselves a bit on Tasha's disability and what it means for her in the villa.
Is Tasha Ghouri deaf?
Yes, she was born deaf (called a sensory loss), so she and her family learnt sign language from the get-go. However, when she was older, she received a cochlear implant, which replicates the small hairs in the cochlear that stimulate fluid. These hairs send messages to the brain and translate sounds into speech. Basically, science is lit.
What's the difference between a cochlear implant and a hearing aid?
So, a hearing aid is to amplify sound, say if you're hard of hearing. However, a cochlear implant is needed if you are completely deaf because if you're born without the ability to hear - the brain doesn't learn to translate noise into words. The cochlear implant is able to translate, thanks to its intelligent computer system. It is all fitted within that tiny thing in Tasha's ear. Impressive stuff.
But if you think your hearing aid is looking a little bland, who says you can't glamourise your implant? Anything can be fashion, darling. š For example, we love seeing Tasha matching her implant to her outfit in this Instagram post, celebrating one of her many dance concerts.
Here are our top picks for the best hearing aid and cochlear implant jewellery that Tasha would approve of.
The best hearing aid/cochlear implant jewellery to buy in 2022
Hearing aid/cochlear implant jewellery
1 of 9DeafMetal Holster
Recommended for: Hearing aids + cochlear implants
Material: Hypoallergenic silicone
Colours: Black, white, clear, grey, pink, purple, blue, brown or beige
We're starting off our list with DeafMetalĀ®, which creates jewellery especially for hearing devices. However, to use any of its products, you'll need to first grab yourself one of these silicone holsters. Holsters are also required for cochlear implant processors. With 600 per cent flexibility, it does not interfere with any sciencey stuff going on, and is super easy to take on and off. It fits almost every make and model of hearing aid.
Once you attach the hostler to your device, you can then add any charms/jewellery to the hostler, and voila. Check out our favourite DeafMetalĀ® jewellery below...
2 of 9DeafMetal Bad Boy ā Hearing Aid Pendant
Recommended for: Hearing aids + cochlear implants
Material: Sterling silver
Colours: Silver
Needs to be purchased alongside the DeafMetalĀ® holster
Who says you can't use your hearing device to let the world know you're a goth girl at heart? Skulls are forever chic, and the best thing about this pendant is you don't need your ears pieced to rock it- just attach to the DeafMetalĀ® above.
3 of 9DeafMetal Lilac Flower ā Cochlear Implant Jewellery
Recommended for: Cochlear implants
Material: Fabric
Colours: Lilac
We can definitely imagine Tasha wearing this around the villa with one of her beautiful dresses (p.s we've got a full article dedicated to Tasha's Love Island outfits, FYI.) This pretty lilac flower, attached to a pink leather coil hat can be used with the following cochlear implants: Nucleus five/six, or Nucleus seven.
4 of 9DeafMetal Riley Stars ā Hearing Aid Jewellery
Recommended for: Hearing aids
Material: Sterling silver/925 silver
Colours: Silver
Needs to be purchased alongside the DeafMetalĀ® holster
Starry jewellery is a classic. Simple, cute, and sweet. We love this dangly piece from DeafMetalĀ®. One part attaches as a stud into an ear piercing, with the other end attaching to your holster at the top of the ear. As a bonus, it helps keep your hearing device safe with all these extra secure chains.
Review: "These are such a wonderful idea, having spent almost Ā£3k on Phonak hearing aids itās such a relief to feel they are secure! The earrings are pretty and very well made, I will certainly be buying more!"
5 of 9STERLING SILVER Hearing Aid Charm 9 | Tube Rider | Hearing Aid Tube Cuff
Recommended for: Hearing aids
Material: Sterling silver
Colours: Silver
The Hearing Out Loud Shop on Etsy celebrates its unique hearing aid charm as elevating hard-of-hearing pride, and we love to see it. It's got a beautiful yet simple design and is perfect for people who like more dainty jewellery. Simply slide the tube cuff onto your hearing aid tubing, and then reattach your tubing to your ear hook. They also sell twists for thinner tubing.
Review: "This is so cute. Fits perfectly. I canāt even feel it on my hearing aids."
6 of 9Chain Linked Mismatched Huggie Hoop Single Earring
Recommended for: Hearing aids + cochlear implants
Material: Rhodium-plated recycled sterling silver or 18ct gold plated sterling with clear cubic zirconia stones
Colours: Silver or gold
Although not specifically designed to wear with hearing devices, huggie earrings are actually perfect for attaching to your hearing aid. With one hoop clicked into your existing piercing, you can attach the other hoop to any tubing area on your hearing device, and you've got an instant look. The shop Scream Pretty also uses sustainable, recycled silver to craft their jewellery- and we stan looking after the environment.
7 of 9PINKNOISE Gold Blue Star Hoop & Chain
Recommended for: Hearing aids + cochlear implants
Material: 14k gold
Colours: Gold
Needs to be purchased alongside the DeafMetalĀ® holster
Excuse us as we gasp at how beautiful this Pink Noise jewellery is š±šµ. Inspired by the northern star, this huggie chain with a specially designed link for the holster is absolutely gorgeous. Can you imagine the power someone wearing this with blue eyes will have? š
8 of 9PINKNOISE Gold Green Droplet Hoop & Chain
Recommended for: Hearing aids + cochlear implants
Material: 14k gold
Colours: Gold
Needs to be purchased alongside the DeafMetalĀ® holster
This is a perfect gift for your hearing-impaired pals, but especially those born in May or August for their birthstone representation. And guess what- Tasha is a Leo herself.
9 of 9Hearing Aid Charm Earring Huggie Chain Pearl Chain Droplet
Recommended for: Hearing aids
Material: Silver plated chain, beads
Colour: Silver, blue or white beads
The great thing about this huggie charm chain from Etsy shop RBArtandCreations is that you can completely customise the length of the chain. Therefore, if you're a busy bee and prefer a shorter chain that is out of the way, you can do so. Or do you want a statement piece with as long of a chain as possible? Go for it.
Review: "Beautiful charms for my hearing aids and earrings to coordinate! I love them and discussion re: bespoke order was great. Thank you!"