Live data from Hacker News

Mattel debuts first Barbie with hearing aids

cbsnews.com

21–30 of 37 posts

Re: Mattel debuts first Barbie with hearing aids

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I doubt that. Underrepresented people have this relatively new platform called the internet that helps them find their voice and be heard by other people, sometimes even if just shit posting and doing some variation of "drunk dialing." I'm guessing that's a factor here.

Yes, I also only consume products that reflect my particular stereotype. If you want my dollar, you'd better feature a fat bald guy who sits in an office chair 14 hours per day shitposting on reddit. I shall be waiting for the Barbie doll announcement.

[deleted]

Re: Mattel debuts first Barbie with hearing aids

#22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I doubt that. Underrepresented people have this relatively new platform called the internet that helps them find their voice and be heard by other people, sometimes even if just shit posting and doing some variation of "drunk dialing." I'm guessing that's a factor here.

Yes, I also only consume products that reflect my particular stereotype. If you want my dollar, you'd better feature a fat bald guy who sits in an office chair 14 hours per day shitposting on reddit. I shall be waiting for the Barbie doll announcement.

I'm wary of this argument from sarcasm because I've seen it used to marginalize people who do want other options.

I've seen it countless times, for example in the Warhammer community (in case you aren't familiar, Warhammer is a tabletop game where you wage war with toy soldiers; there are also countless videogame spinoffs). A major point of contention is that Space Marines, the poster boys of the Warhammer 40K universe, can only be men. Why? Because current fans say so. To be clear: Space Marines are genetically engineered, cyberenhanced, drug-addled monstrosities -- any resemblance to actual humans is long gone. So fans (usually male) argue that women cannot be supersoldiers because women are weaker (ignoring countries who do employ women in frontline combat roles), even though Space Marines are engineered monsters wearing powered armor.

This is the stuff of endless flamewars. But riddle me this: a common argument these very vocal male fans deploy is "of course, players are so fragile they can only play with toy soldiers that resemble them, that's why women supposedly need female Space Marines!". But they are the ones threatening to rage quit the game if Games Workshop (the IP owner) ever changes the background lore of the game to allow female Space Marines. Women never threaten to quit because Space Marines are currently a male only club.

It's not like female Space Marines or disabled Barbie are going to prevent anyone from buying the previous versions of the toy. They just introduce more options where there were fewer.

Re: Mattel debuts first Barbie with hearing aids

#23
post #9

Still waiting for the first Barbie with an average face. But I guess as the manufacturer of pretty dolls, it’s impossible to satisfy all of those demands.

"Average" faces tend to be attractive, due in part to symmetry and lack of blemishes. If you mean "plain", however, I am sure you will soon get your wish. Although there are certainly many options available now, to obtain such a toy, if you don't insist on having that particular brand.

Re: Mattel debuts first Barbie with hearing aids

#25
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple AirPods can behave a bit like a hearing aid. You can use the Live Listen feature on an iPhone to get an idea [0]. I’ve got a modern set of hearing aids that I actually ordered last week. They have Bluetooth built in, so they will actually function as earbuds themselves, allowing me to answer calls or listen to music and so on. So the reverse is already happening where the hearing aid acts as headphones. One las…

Don't hearing aids have to be FDA approved? There's a huge potential for something like an Earpod to gain advanced hearing capabilities. The medical powers that be, however, just regulate the market

Yeah, which is probably why they cost thousands of dollars :(

They do get programmed to compensate for the specific hearing loss of the individual, but if there was an easy way to take a hearing test and program the earbuds at home to match, that would be amazing. The transparency mode on the Apple AirPods already uses the mic to pass through sound, but I don’t know of any way to amplify specific frequencies or to transmit sound from one side to the other (for one-sided deafness).

Re: Mattel debuts first Barbie with hearing aids

#29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't hearing aids have to be FDA approved? There's a huge potential for something like an Earpod to gain advanced hearing capabilities. The medical powers that be, however, just regulate the market

Yeah, which is probably why they cost thousands of dollars :( They do get programmed to compensate for the specific hearing loss of the individual, but if there was an easy way to take a hearing test and program the earbuds at home to match, that would be amazing. The transparency mode on the Apple AirPods already uses the mic to pass through sound, but I don’t know of any way to amplify specific frequencies or to tr…

A version of cheap hearing aids not unlike being able to pick up non-prescription reading glasses for $5 at the drug store would be life altering for many. Imperfect is better than unattainable.

Re: Mattel debuts first Barbie with hearing aids

#30
post #2

I long for the day that Earpods become hearing aids

While on vacation recently, I gave my iPhone to the tour guide while he talked about the towns history. I had my AirPods in with Live Listen so I can chase around my 3 y/o while still listening to the guide. They work exceptionally well for that
Post reply on HN