By India McCarty
PEPPA PIG will tackle the topic of hearing loss in children through Peppa’s brother George.
“George is growing…and his story is growing with him,” an Instagram post from the official PEPPA PIG account announced. “We’re embarking on an important new chapter, sharing the news that our dearest George is moderately deaf.”
The post continued, “In partnership with the National Deaf Children’s Society and Hearing Loss Association of America, we’re airing George’s hearing loss story as he continues to discover the world in his own way — with support, curiosity and plenty of muddy puddles.”
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In the episode, due out in March, George will be diagnosed as moderately deaf and fitted with a hearing aid.
UK athlete Jodie Ounsley, who was born deaf and had a cochlear implant as a toddler, voices the audiologist who diagnoses George. She told The Press Association she was “so grateful” to be a part of the episode and shared her hopes that it can reassure parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
“When it’s the very start of your kid’s life, you really hang onto words. I think it’s the way you deliver things,” she explained, adding that for her parents, “It was very much, ‘Your daughter has been found as deaf, here’s a leaflet, off you go.’”
“They could have said, ‘don’t worry, here are some resources. She still will have a very great life, she’s just going to have challenges,’” Ounsley continued. “That would have completely shifted their mindset.”
The athlete said the episode was “special to work on, because it was something I’ve really related to in so many aspects of my own life.”
“It’s been incredible, and I’m so grateful to be part of it,” Ounsley continued. “Last year, had you mentioned this opportunity, I would have never even imagined, or believed, that I could do something like this.”
The announcement has already been met with positive reactions online. One person tweeted, “What a beautiful and important step for Peppa Pig! Giving George a moderate hearing loss storyline — crafted with deaf community experts and charities — isn’t just great representation…It’s a gentle, powerful way to teach kids about difference, empathy and inclusion.”
Their post continued, “For the millions of deaf kids worldwide who rarely see themselves on screen, this matters so much: it lets them feel seen, valued, and like they belong. A win for kindness, and for making kids’ TV truly reflect the world we live in.”
This certainly sounds like a win for kids’ TV!
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