Meet Auzi, Customizable Luxury Jewelry For Hearing Aid Users
“Our journey began with a simple but powerful question: Why can’t hearing aids be as elegant and fashionable as any piece of jewellery?”
Founders Declan McLaughlin, a Hard of Hearing creative, and Daniela Groza, a hearing ally recently launched a luxury hearing aid jewelry line, Auzi. The innovative duo came together to create a unique line of elevated accessories for behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid users.
Declan and Daniela studied at the University of Edinburgh and met in 2018 at the university's Entrepreneurship Society. Declan at the time studied chemistry, while Daniela studied Jewelry Design and became a GIA-certified Gemologist.
“We launched Auzi to address a significant gap in the market: the lack of stylish options for BTE hearing aids. In March 2023, we began brainstorming initial prototypes.”
Auzi, pronounced “Aussie”, was inspired by the Romanian term "to hear".
“It is often used to capture attention or invite someone into a conversation, making it a perfect metaphor for connection and communication,”
Daniela is Romanian, and reflected on how the name came to mind. Declan added that the periodic table symbol for the element Gold (AU) came to mind and it resonated with their use of precious metals in their accessories.
“[Audiology] resonates with our mission to create pieces that truly speak to the heart. Together, these elements make "Auzi" a meaningful and memorable name for our brand.”
Auzi’s pieces bring a luxurious feel to BTE hearing aid accessories. Using high-quality metals and gemstones, each design is customizable to the customer's unique preferences, hearing aid models, and budget. Options include precious metals like silver and gold and can be embellished with stones such as amethyst, topaz, and diamond.
“True personalization goes beyond just products; it's about creating something uniquely yours. We want to collaborate with you to design a piece that reflects your individual story and values. Whether it’s incorporating symbols that resonate with your personal journey, like your pet’s name or meaningful shapes, we’re here to bring your vision to life.”
Auzi’s mission is to create a cherished talisman that reflects each dDeaf and Hard of Hearing individual’s personal style while empowering them to feel truly themselves.
Dec and Daniela are currently working on CI jewelry options. Inclusivity is a huge part of their brand, and want to create products designed with the full spectrum of the dDeaf and Hard of Hearing communities in mind.
Feedback is an integral part of Auzi, and encourage their community to share their story with them so they can continue to create products that benefit their customers.
“While the journey has been rewarding, it has also required a continuous strive for improvement—an essential aspect of any business. Each hearing aid is unique, so we meticulously cater to every model, ensuring that buttons and microphones remain accessible and do not interfere with the sound experience.”
Almost two months post-launch, Dec and Daniela have been thrilled with the response from their community, and look forward to sharing more about the exciting plans and new designs under development. They even hinted at a themed, limited-edition Auzi collection coming soon.
“Our mission is to transform hearing aids into beautiful accessories, empowering individuals to express their unique style while enhancing their hearing experience.”
