Nine-year-old girl creates empowering option for hearing aid users

A nine-year-old girl from Mount Forest, Ont. is fusing fashion with function to help empower people who use hearing aids.

Olivia Barber is the driving force behind ‘Livie’s Earring Aids.’

“To me, it’s really pretty to do it, and it’s just a fun idea that I came up with,” she said.

Olivia designs and makes ‘earrings’ that attach to hearing aids like hers.

“These little hoops go on [the hearing aid], this little [clasp] slides on, and then I just put the tube back on,” she explained while demonstrating her creation for CTV News.

The idea came to Olivia after she met another young hearing aid user who was upset because she felt her hearing aid was ugly.

“She hated her hearing aids. I felt bad, so that’s why,” Olivia said.

Olivia’s mom Leah Barber said it is no surprise that Olivia found a way to help others find a fun way to personalize their equipment.

“She is a super creative soul, and she cares so deeply for so many,” Barber said. “She just had this great idea and just ran with it. It’s taken off.”

Customers can go online and place orders for their own Earring Aids or buy them from Olivia’s speech pathologist at Wellington County Speech Therapy. They cost four dollars each.

Olivia’s idea inspired others, who donated supplies to make even more Earring Aids. In the spirit of giving back, Olivia decided to donate the earrings she made with those supplies.

“We’ve gone to our late grandmother’s retirement home, local retirement homes here, and give them to seniors,” Barber explained.

Olivia said it all comes down to spreading positivity.

“I hate seeing people upset. It’s the worst feeling. But seeing people happy is the best,” she said.

Olivia and her mom have big plans for the future, including hopes to set up a booth at a local market this upcoming holiday season.