Deaf woman models cochlear implant in British Vogue

Imy Harris, a 22-year-old woman from Cheltenham, has made headlines by modeling in the prestigious British Vogue magazine. This remarkable achievement highlights her journey as a deaf individual who has embraced her identity and is now showcasing fashionable hearing aid covers designed by Destiny Pinto. The February edition of the magazine, which was published on January 15, features Imy proudly wearing these stylish designs. Destiny Pinto, the designer, recently won the Vogue and BMW Future Creators competition, and Imy was selected to model her innovative creations. Imy expressed her feelings about this experience, saying, 'I had massive imposter syndrome, but it was incredible. ' She has also gained recognition for her participation in the current season of Channel 4's Great Pottery Throw Down. Imy hopes that her presence in the magazine will inspire other deaf children to see role models who look like them. Growing up, Imy faced challenges as she was born deaf and relied on lip reading to communicate. She wore two hearing aids but often felt isolated because she did not see anyone like herself represented in the media until her late teens. The introduction of face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic made it even more difficult for her to understand conversations, as she could no longer read lips. Initially, Imy was hesitant to get a cochlear implant because she felt embarrassed about having something so visible. However, after undergoing the procedure in December 2023, she experienced a transformation, stating that she felt 'amazing' and more empowered. Imy shared, '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 traditional hearing aids, cochlear implants work differently. They do not simply amplify sounds; instead, they send sound signals directly to the auditory nerve, bypassing damaged parts of the inner ear. The device consists of external components, such as a microphone and speech processor, as well as an internal receiver that is surgically implanted behind the ear. Imy was chosen to model Destiny Pinto's designs in British Vogue, showcasing the beauty of medical devices. During her recovery from surgery, she decided to audition for the eighth season of The Great Pottery Throw Down, which premiered on January 5. On her first day at the show, her cochlear implant was connected via Bluetooth to the judges' microphones, allowing her to hear them clearly even from a distance. Imy emphasized the importance of overcoming barriers, stating, 'These barriers can be overcome, and people who don't have disabilities get the opportunity to learn about someone who is different. ' She also expressed gratitude for her mother's unwavering support throughout her journey, acknowledging that she 'wouldn't be here' without her encouragement.