#ICAN : Hayleigh, hearing aid charms

Hi! I’m Hayleigh and I am 15 years old and the designer and creator of Hayleigh’s Cherished Charms.  When I was 18 months old, I was diagnosed as severe to profoundly hard of hearing.  When my parents heard the news, they made a decision that impacted my life forever.  They hid my hearing aids.

At age 4, I attended a school for hard of hearing children.  I noticed that a lot of kids tried to hide their hearing aids behind their hair.  I wanted to make my hearing aids shine and be fancy.  I wanted to be proud of my hearing aids!

I started drawing pictures along with my sisters showing how I could make my hearing aids shine.  My mom helped me make our designs into jewelry and tube twists for my hearing aids.  They were so fancy. Other kids and adults started wanting them too!  And so with the help of my mom and dad, I started my own little business…Hayleigh’s Cherished Charms.

I have my own work area at my house where my sisters and I make all of our products for hearing aids and cochlear implants.  All of our charms can be made into pierced and clip-on earrings too so that siblings, parents, and friends can match and join in the fun.

I have applied for several provisional patents on my creations and a full patent!

In October 2010, I was awarded first place in the student category for Oticon’s National Contest, Focus on People.  They recognized my business because I am determined to help others feel confident and comfortable with their hearing aids!  

I donate 10% of every sale to hearing research and schools that dedicate their time and resources to help the hard of hearing.  It is my goal to help children and adults with hearing loss feel good about their hearing equipment while supporting the schools and research that help us! 

Peer Lauritsen, the president of Oticon had this to say about me and my business….

Individuals like Hayleigh Scott are inspiring role models for people living with hearing loss. Through her achievements and contributions, she has shown us that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to make a difference in their families, their communities and even, the world. By recognizing outstanding individuals such as Hayleigh, we aim to motivate people to speak with hearing care professionals about hearing loss and the hearing solutions that can empower them to participate actively in all that life has to offer.  – Peer Lauritsen, President of Oticon, Inc.

Since winning the Oticon award and opening my business, I have been interviewed for books, magazines, and been asked to speak at conferences and conventions.  It amazes me how a little idea to help people feel better about themselves has blossomed into a full scale business.

My goals are to continually make quality products at affordable prices for anyone who wants them, to continue to have very personalized service, to actively support schools and research for the hard of hearing and deaf, and to inspire the young and old to celebrate who they are!  Audiologist, Dr.Michele Labrie had this to say about my business ;

Hayleigh is one of the most inspiring and creative patients I have seen.  She has embraced her hearing loss and hearing instruments in the most positive way to make herself even more beautiful than she already is. Her Cherished Charms have helped people of all ages feel more beautiful and more confident about wearing hearing devices.

Hayleighs Cherished Charms  cherishedcharms@gmail.com