Imy Harris, a 22-year-old woman from Cheltenham, has made waves in the fashion industry by modelling designer hearing aid covers for the February edition of British Vogue.
This groundbreaking feature came after Harris collaborated with designer Destiny Pinto, known for creating stylish medical devices, including hearing aid covers.
Pinto, who won the Vogue and BMW Future Creators competition, selected Harris to showcase her innovative designs.
Harris, who was born deaf and had worn hearing aids throughout her life, shared the experience with mixed emotions.
“I had massive imposter syndrome, but it was incredible,” she said, acknowledging the significance of her appearance in such a prestigious magazine. “So many people will look at that magazine and be able to relate.”
Growing up, Harris struggled with seeing anyone like herself on television or social media, especially in her late teens.
The introduction of face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic further made communication challenging as it hindered her ability to lip-read.
Initially, she hesitated to pursue a cochlear implant because of her embarrassment about having something so visible.
However, after undergoing the operation in December 2023, Harris expressed a newfound sense of strength and happiness.
“In the last two years I have accepted who I am because I can either be unhappy for 80 years of my life, or accept it and make some change.”
Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, a cochlear implant bypasses damaged parts of the inner ear, directly sending sound signals to the auditory nerve.
The device consists of both external components, such as a microphone and speech processor, and an internal receiver implanted under the skin.
Harris’s journey didn’t stop at fashion. She also became a contestant on the eighth season of The Great Pottery Throw Down, airing in January 2024.
When she was recovering from her cochlear implant surgery, she applied for the show and made it through the audition process.
“On the first day I was there, they connected my implant, by Bluetooth, to the microphone the judges were wearing,” she explained. This allowed her to hear the judges clearly, even from a distance.
Harris sees her experience as an opportunity to raise awareness and break down barriers.
“These barriers can be overcome, and people who don’t have disabilities get the opportunity to learn about someone who is different,” she said, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity.
She also credited her mother for her unwavering support throughout the journey, expressing, “I wouldn’t be here without her.”
Imy Harris’s groundbreaking features in British Vogue and The Great Pottery Throw Down highlight the power of acceptance, perseverance, and challenging societal norms, paving the way for a more inclusive future in both fashion and media.
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