A unique collaboration to challenge perceptions
The fashion industry has been talking about diversity and social topics – but there hasn’t been much representation of hearing loss, which actually affects millions of people globally. Until now.
During the Copenhagen Fashion Week in February, two models with hearing loss walked the Han Kjøbenhavn runway, showcasing our Autumn/Winter collection, that will start dropping now.
Attendees expecting another high-concept HAN Kjøbenhavn show got more than just a visual spectacle, they got something to listen to and talk about. As the models hit the runway to the sound of a high-pitched siren, simulating the experience of tinnitus, the show became a thought-provoking statement beyond the visual.
“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”.
Creating a positive narrative
The GN x HAN Kjøbenhavn collaboration shows that fashion has the power to shape cultural narratives. This collaboration should show that hearing aids are nothing to hide but can be expressed with confidence. It should change perceptions and encourages more people to take care of their hearing.
1,500,000,000
More than 1.5 billion people worldwide currently experience some degree of hearing loss and by 2050 this number could grow to nearly 2.5 billion (1).
65%
Over 65% of adults – or two in three – aged above 60 experience hearing loss, which is of moderate or higher grade in nearly 25% of this age group (1).
430,000,000
Around 5% of the global population – or 430 million people – require rehabilitation to address their hearing loss, which if untreated could impact quality of life (1).
48%
A recent study indicates that the use of hearing aids could slow the progression of cognitive decline by up to 48% for individuals at high risk (2).
BENIFITS OF GETTING HEARING AIDS
36% report that their conversations with people around them have improved.
30% feel like themselves again.
30% feel more confident in social situations.
32% believe they can focus and concentrate more when listening.
22% feel they are more confident at work
- World Health Organization. (2021). The World Report on Hearing (WHR), https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/world-report-on-hearing
- Lin FR, Pike JR, Albert MS, et al. Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2023; published online July 18. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01406-X
