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Looking for Dolls and Toys With Hearing Devices? Here’s a Roundup
We want our daughter to grow up with listening devices represented on her dolls and toys.
We believe it’s important for our daughter to grow up with listening devices represented on her dolls and toys.
We love the creative work of parents, educators, nurses, and Etsy sellers, and we’re excited that toy brands are noticing our kids!
So, we’re rounding up some of our favorite options.
Handmade
There’s so much value in adapting the “mainstream” toys, and modeling to our children that the world is their oyster.
Marker “Devices”
One educator we know uses a permanent marker to draw hearing aids and cochlear implant devices onto plastic dolls for use in the classroom. Marker withstands serious play, and prevents any issues when a glued piece inevitably pops off.
Added “Devices”
We’ve seen cute plush dolls and animals with felt patch “device” upgrades. We got inspired and did our own felt device project here!
And here's our project using beads!
Etsy Options
Etsy sellers have stepped up to the plate! Some sellers offer dolls or stuffed animals with devices attached. Others sell stand alone devices (including customizable 3D printed ones) to fit popular dolls and toys.
Miniland Baby Dolls
For the 3+ crowd, Miniland offers baby dolls celebrating diversity, including dolls with hearing aids and cochlear implants. Some of the descriptions are a little confusing. They sometimes refer to both "hearing aid" and "hearing implant" for the same doll, and it's not entirely clear which it is from the photo.
Miniland Educational Baby Doll - Boy With Hearing Aid 15"
Miniland Educational Baby Doll - Girl With Hearing Aid 15"
Note: Some Miniland dolls are anatomically correct, which may not be every parent’s thing!
The Butterfly Pig
Founded by a Pediatric Oncology nurse, The Butterfly Pig offers a wide variety of inclusive accessories for dolls and stuffed animals for the 3+ group. They offer hearing aids, both off-the-ear and on-the-ear cochlear implants, and BAHAs!
And, we appreciate the sew-on options for stuffed animals, for children who prefer their cuddly friends to dolls.
The Butterfly Pig also offers mini hospital gowns, which would be helpful for MRIs and surgery day.
The Official Stuff
Three cheers for "mainstream" market toys that include our kids!
LEGO®
We are thrilled that Lego has joined the party!
Certain LEGO® sets include characters (minifigs) who sport colorful hearing devices. (We usually learn about these from other families who come across them by surprise!)
Check out the cochlear implant in this hilarious Burger Truck set!
And saving the day in this Ambulance set!
LEGO Friends Heartlake City Hospital Ambulance Set
PRO TIP: If you aren't looking for a whole new set, here's two great options.
- We've had good luck tracking them down on eBay.
- Check out LEGO's "Pick a Brick" website store. The search function isn't the easiest. We sifted through and found the following shortcut numbers:
- MINI HEAD, NO. 3769
- MINI HEAD, NO. 3269
- MINI HEAD, NO. 3862
- If you find more, let us know!
DUPLO™
The little ones aren't left behind! Duplo's 3-in-1 Treehouse set is the treehouse of our dreams, and includes a minifig with a hearing device! Check out the cutie pushing the pumpkin wheelbarrow!
We actually acquired this set (via our extended family Christmas List) based solely on how cute and fun it looked. It has everything we ever wanted in a DUPLO set. The hearing device character was SUCH an amazing surprise!!
While pricey, we view this as a longer-term set than some of the other Duplo sets on the market. The pieces are compatible with LEGO, and can provide infinite inspiration for years to come.
Duplo 3-in-1 Treehouse Set
Lottie Doll™ - Mia
Also for the 3+ crowd, Lottie™ dolls are adorable, and the award-winning Wildlife Photographer Mia doll has a cochlear implant!
I just love her ladybug outfit and wellies. And, the wildlife photography angle can inspire so much fun sound play.'
Mia Doll | Wildlife Photographer | 7" Doll with Cochlear Implants by Lottie
American Girl® Doll - Joss Kendrick™
Welcome, Joss! American Girl’s 2020 Girl of the Year™ is Joss Kendrick™, whose hearing aid doesn’t slow her down.
I love that Joss is a surfer, and that she inspires kids to get out there and try new things. Her world includes a book and tons of accessories, all with the cute attention to detail that we expect from American Girl®.
Joss is a great option for older kids (manufacturer’s recommended age 8+).
Joss Doll, Book & Accessories | American Girl
Looking to read more about Joss? Here's the first book of her series!
Joss (Girl of the Year) Paperback - December 2019
American Girl® Doll Hospital - Add a Hearing Aid
American Girl's Doll Hospital can attach a hearing aid (or two) to AG's 18" dolls!
We don't know the price, but we are so intrigued!
Barbie® with Hearing Aids
Mattel's announced the first ever Barbie® with hearing aids!
We love that they consulted with an audiologist to get the details right. And, that the hearing aids are hot pink!
We are so excited to see what’s coming next!
(And, keep those devices tuned with a make believe audiologist set!)
