Deaf woman says 'dreams have come true' after modeling hearing aid in Vogue (2025)

A deaf woman has expressed her joy at achieving her "dreams" after being featured in British Vogue, sporting a designer cochlear implant. Imy Harris was born "profoundly deaf", meaning she had no hearing from birth. This shaped her early life as she navigated the world with a hearing impairment.

The 22 year old from Cheltenham revealed that she was the only deaf student in both primary and secondary school, relying on lipreading and visual cues to interact with others. She also highlighted how the lack of representation in the media made life "harder" for her.

However, her life took a turn when she was featured in the globally renowned fashion magazine, British Vogue. This came about through her collaboration with designer Destiny Pinto, who specialises in fashionable medical devices.

On modelling for the renowned magazine Imy: "It was a full-circle moment - something I never imagined growing up. I remember flipping through the pages and seeing the photos, thinking, "Wow, this is real!"

"It was powerful to see my story shared meaningfully. I was grateful for the opportunity, and it made me reflect on how far I've come. The experience reaffirmed that when we push for change, we can create spaces where everyone feels seen and valued."

Born deaf, Imy used two hearing aids but stated that she primarily relied on lip reading. One of her most significant challenges has been coping with loud environments, including places with substantial background noise.

Imy has shared her experience of how it often seems like a "constant battle" to comprehend conversations, resulting in both "frustration and fatigue". She reflected: "Growing up with a hearing impairment greatly shaped my early life. My childhood was a mix of challenges and unique experiences.

"Although my family was very supportive, navigating a world that wasn't built for me wasn't always easy. I was the only deaf student in both primary and secondary school, which sometimes made me feel isolated.

"I relied on lipreading and visual cues to communicate and learned to adapt to different environments. Despite the struggles, my childhood helped me develop resilience and a strong sense of identity."

She revealed that it was not until later in her teenage years that she saw individuals similar to herself represented on television or social media. Now, however, she perceives a growth in representation across brands and media platforms.

"This lack of representation made it harder to see myself in the world, and I questioned where I fit in," Imy said.

"However, as I got older and started modelling and using social media, I began to see more spaces open for diverse voices, including those of Deaf individuals. While we're still a long way from widespread, authentic representation, it's encouraging to see the shift happening.

"More brands, media outlets, and creators are recognizing the importance of showcasing diversity, and I'm proud to be a part of that. It's empowering to know that my presence in the media can help others see themselves reflected in ways that I didn't growing up.

"There's still a long way to go, but I'm hopeful that future generations of Deaf individuals will feel seen and valued in the media."

But since December 2023, she has been equipped with cochlear implants that circumvent impaired parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, aiding in her hearing. She said they have been "life-changing" for her.

Imy detailed: "The process was long, from the initial consultation to surgery, recovery, and activation. The adjustment period was challenging, as I had to retrain my brain to interpret new sounds, which initially felt strange and overwhelming.

"But over time, things started to make more sense. It's still a journey of fine-tuning, but the implants have allowed me to experience sounds I hadn't heard before, making a big difference in my communication. It wasn't a quick process, but it's been worth it."

She sought out designer Destiny Pinto and supported her ambitions to fashion medical devices into trendy accessories. Her engagement in the movement saw her later stepping into the spotlight as a model for hearing aid covers designed by Destiny Pinto, who recently clinched the Vogue and BMW Future Creators competition.

She expressed: "I couldn't believe it at first - Vogue is such an iconic platform, and being recognised by them was a dream come true. The shoot itself was incredible. The team was professional and welcoming and made sure everything was accessible for me.

"The experience was empowering, not just because of the opportunity to be in such a prestigious magazine, but because it felt like a step toward greater inclusivity for Deaf individuals in the fashion world."

She described the experience as a "full-circle" moment - something she never envisaged during her younger years. And she hopes that her feature will "inspires" others with hearing impairments to pursue their dreams.

Imy shared: "I remember flipping through the pages and seeing the photos, thinking, "Wow, this is real!

"It was powerful to see my story shared meaningfully. I was grateful for the opportunity, and it made me reflect on how far I've come.

"The experience reaffirmed that when we push for change, we can create spaces where everyone feels seen and valued."

"I hope the British Vogue feature brings greater visibility and awareness to individuals with hearing impairments. It's important to show that people with disabilities, including those who are Deaf, are just as capable of succeeding in industries like fashion and media.

"I want the feature to inspire others with hearing impairments to pursue their dreams, no matter the barriers they may face. Additionally, I hope it sparks conversations about the need for more inclusivity and accessibility, not just in the fashion world but across all industries.

"By showcasing diverse voices and stories, I believe it can help break down stereotypes and encourage a more accepting, inclusive environment for everyone."