Our Story
JENNI AHTIAINEN
CREATOR OF DEAFMETAL®
My name is Jenni Ahtiainen and I am the creator of DEAFMETAL®. DEAFMETAL® is an accessory brand for hearing aids. I have been working as a fashion designer for 15 years. I’ve sold my designs for consumers in Japan, Europe, and in the US. I have also designed stage costumes to bands and musicians like Marilyn Manson, Snoop Dogg, and Bono. These opportunities have been incredible for a Finnish fashion designer who loves to listen to music. But then I lost my hearing and I was shocked. And got hearing aids. It made me wonder…why is it that if you have bad eyesight, you get to choose whatever kind of eyeglasses that suit your style? You have something regardless of if you are a woman, man, child, rocker, hipster, or even goth. However, if you have bad hearing, you don’t have that choice. You can’t even see one single beautiful picture of a hard of hearing people in lifestyle, fashion, or beauty magazines. Well, not until now…we started to take beauty shots and fine art pictures of hard of hearing people to make hearing problems more common and visual. When I received my hearing aids, I put the aids behind my ears and started to think. I innovated a small holster around the hearing aids and then I hung some leather strips into the holster. Suddenly, the hearing aids felt more like me. They looked like me and I looked like me. This is how DEAFMETAL® was born—very naturally and organically by the hands of a hard of hearing fashion designer.
JEN ASLIN
AU.D. AUDIOLOGIST AND JENNI’S DEAFMETAL® PARTNER
I’m Jen Aslin! I am an audiologist and Jenni’s DEAFMETAL® partner for the USA. I first saw DEAFMETAL® in Summer 2020 while visiting an audiology website. Her story inspired me. Through several calls and much collaboration, I knew promoting the DEAFMETAL® hearing aid and cochlear implant jewelry brand in the USA was the right thing to do. I’ve never seen anything like it and loved the idea of “embracing and empowering” people with hearing loss with a product that seeks to destigmatize the wearing of hearing aids or cochlear implants. As an audiologist in 4 different states, I have seen patients ranging from newborn to seniors. I have always loved trying to instill confidence in patients who are fit with hearing aids or cochlear implants for the first time. The awesome thing about DEAFMETAL® hearing aid jewelry is that it can be worn by people of all ages. At first, you might think only younger generations wear this jewelry…but this is not true! Once someone puts on the DEAFMETAL® jewelry, it creates a level of confidence and fun. I saw it during photoshoots of my models with hearing loss. My favorite story from Jenni is of a Finnish woman in her 80’s who purchased a pink owl DEAFMETAL® jewelry to hang from her holster. When asked why she wanted the owl, she stated she hoped that by wearing it, her granddaughter would want to sit on her lap more often. I now have a purple owl on my desk that reminds me of that sweet story. This story was one of many reasons we entitled this The Hope Collection. My hope is that this collection of DEAFMETAL will bring some fun and attitude for people with hearing loss worldwide! In talking to patients with hearing loss, they are thankful that we have designed a product to help celebrate hearing loss. Jenni and I hope you love your DEAFMETAL® jewelry and would love if you share stories and send pictures wearing them!
AWARDS
Creative Business Cup 2019
2nd Place Winner, Global Finals Creative Business Cup 2019
Winner, Representative, FinlandLinnan Business Turnajaiset 2019
Winner, FinlandDeafmetal Collection Is The Winner
“The New Product Of The Year 2018″Designer’s Cinderella Jewelry Is The Winner Of Stylefellow’s “Jewelry Of The Year 2018”
BECOME AN AMBASSADOR
Deafmetal USA is looking for individuals who wear either hearing aids or cochlear implants who have a large social media platform to do some promotional work for compensation. We would be able to send various Deafmetal products (i.e Deafmetal hearing aid jewelry, Deafmetal holsters, Headpiece covers, promotional materials, etc) to be used during videos/postings related to Deafmetal. If you are interested, please reach out to our DEAFMETAL® team at contact@deafmetalusa.com with the subject of your email being ambassador. Thank you!
DONATIONS
Deafmetal USA has received numerous requests for donations of Deafmetal jewelry and holsters to be sent to various organizations such as hospitals, teachers for the deaf and hard of hearing, schools, and resource centers that support and come alongside those who have been recently diagnosed with hearing loss, especially for children and teenagers. We have special Deafmetal packages that include various child and teenage themed Deafmetals that are ready to be shipped to organizations, but we would love donations! Any monetary donations would be used for covering our costs for manufacturing of products/shipping. For each donation, you will receive an email confirming your donation with specifics on donated items. Thank you in advance for donating!
Also, if you are an organization or clinic that serves people with hearing loss and would like to be put on the list to receive donations, please feel free to email us at contact@deafmetalusa.com. We would love to support you! Thank you so much!