Fashion brand HAN Kjøbenhavn and GN, a global leader in hearing technology, have joined forces to challenge stigma and misperceptions around hearing aids.
HAN Kjøbenhavn marks the launch of their new collection with this partnership, which aims to elevate hearing aids from being a medical necessity to a form of self-expression that should be celebrated.
As part of this collaboration, two models with hearing loss walked the runway in GN hearing aids during the HAN Kjøbenhavn AW25 show at Copenhagen Fashion Week. The event included an immersive experience simulating the impact of tinnitus with a high-pitched siren.
Building on GN’s 'New Norm' campaign, the aim of the partnership is to tackle out-dated misperceptions within popular culture and encourage other organisations to foster greater representation.
“It is important for us to highlight issues that are often overlooked, such as hearing loss,”says Jannik Wikkelsø, Founder and Creative Director of HAN Kjøbenhavn.“Inclusion is often talked about in a visual sense, but we wanted to shed light on other significant challenges people face”.
Fear of stigma and prejudice, as well as conflicts of self-image, can be a significant barrier to hearing aid adoption for many. In fact, only one in five people who could benefit from hearing aids actually use them, highlighting the importance of changing the narrative and encouraging people to address their hearing loss.