Mattel Unveils New Inclusive Barbie Dolls With Hearing Aids

Representation matters, and Mattel intends to show it through its recent Barbie Fashionistas doll launch. The latest addition to making the Barbie line includes Barbies with hearing aids to play with dolls just like themselves. 

Barbie teamed up with Dr. Jen Richardson to ensure hearing aids were correctly represented. 

“I’m honored to have worked with Barbie to create an accurate reflection of a doll with behind-the-ear hearing aids,” Richardson said. “As an educational audiologist with over 18 years of experience working in hearing loss advocacy, it’s inspiring to see those who experience hearing loss reflected in a doll.” 

Mattel has had a rocky past with being all-inclusive before, but now they are turning a new leaf. In 2020, the brand released a statement on diversity inclusion and the importance of continuing the conversation about race. The statement was specified towards the Black community in a new initiative called Play Fair. 

The statement said, “Our commitment to fighting systemic racism will be ongoing. Each of our brands has an important role to play in this and will be outlining actions to support this critical endeavor.” 

Richardson continues, “I’m beyond thrilled for my young patients to see and play with a doll who looks like them.” 

Also, in 2020, Mattel released the first Ken Doll with vitiligo. Vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells stop functioning or die, causing loss of skin color in blotches. 

According to a press release, the Barbie Fashionistas line includes over 175 different dolls with a “variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities, and fashions.” 

The full line hits shelves on Amazon, Target, and Walmart, all for $9.99.