A new Barbie features a hot pink hearing aid tucked behind one ear. The doll isn't advertised as hearing-impaired. She's just #187 in the brand's latest release of Barbie Fashionistas, which also includes dolls with vitiligo, prosthetic legs and wheelchairs.
Barbie isn't the first range of dolls to feature a hearing aid. In 2020, American Girl — another Mattel brand — introduced Joss Kendrick, 'a fierce athlete born with hearing loss and a passion for surfing and competitive cheer.' For both the American Girl doll and the new Barbie, designers chose behind-the-ear hearing aids because that's the type most commonly used by children.
Barbie Fashionistas #187 is coming to stores later this month.
