Sometimes, the smallest things bring a little extra joy to your day. A splash of color, a playful design, or a thoughtful handmade accessory can make an everyday routine feel more like you.

At Audiology and Hearing Aid Associates, we love sharing businesses that mean something to our team and our patients in La Grande and Baker City. This time, we are taking our Love Local spotlight a little farther afield to introduce one of our favorite Etsy shops: Little Gates Creations.

Based in New York, this small business caught our attention with its creative hearing aid and cochlear implant retention clips. And after trying some in the office, we knew we wanted to share!

Although Little Gates Creations is outside Eastern Oregon, we wanted to make room in this series for a small business that has found its way into our own community through our office.

Our patients introduce us to some wonderful discoveries, and we enjoy returning the favor when we find something we are excited to share.

A Small Business with a Personal Story

Little Gates Creations began with a family’s search for a way to help a little one keep her hearing aids secure. When owner and maker Tammy’s niece did not pass her newborn hearing screening, she began experimenting with patterns and designs to find what worked best. That personal experience inspired her to create handmade accessories to help other families, too.

There is something special about finding a maker whose work comes from personal experience; you can see why practical details matter to this family, and we love the personality they bring to their creations.

We appreciate that the story starts with a familiar question: How can we make this work a little better for our family? That personal connection makes browsing the shop feel especially meaningful.

Hearing Aid Retention Clips with a Little Whimsy

Little Gates Creations offers hearing aid retention clips and cords, along with colorful accessories such as hearing aid charms, headbands, and hats. Its retention cords are designed to attach a hearing device to clothing, helping keep it from falling to the ground if it comes loose.

Whether you prefer something simple or enjoy a little extra color, it is lovely to have choices.

Perhaps you are shopping for yourself, or perhaps you are helping a child choose an accessory they will enjoy wearing. Either way, being able to explore different looks is part of the fun. A favorite color or playful detail can turn a practical purchase into something that feels personal!

We especially like the idea of making space for individual taste in hearing care. You might enjoy an accessory that stands out, or you might want something that blends into your everyday wardrobe. There is room for both, and you deserve to feel comfortable expressing your preferences.

Tried in Our Office, Loved by Our Team

Of course, we wanted to see these creations for ourselves! We ordered a sample of some of her basic designs to try out with patients in the office, and the response has been wonderful. 

It has been a pleasure sharing these little finds with our patients. Sometimes, a simple accessory is just the finishing touch you have been looking for!

For our team, sharing personal favorites like these is also a lovely way to get to know the people we care for. Conversations about colors, hobbies, and personal style belong right alongside conversations about hearing. We love learning more about what matters to you, including the little details that help you express your personality and make an accessory feel uniquely yours.

A Shout-Out to Little Gates Creations

If you enjoy supporting independent makers, take a look through the Little Gates Creations Etsy shop, and make sure to browse the different designs; you might find a new favorite!

You do not need a special occasion to enjoy something thoughtfully made. Maybe you have been looking for a practical accessory, or maybe you simply enjoy discovering independent artists whose work has a personal connection to your life. For us, this shop brings those two interests together beautifully.

Have a question about retention accessories for your hearing aids? Reach out and speak with our team; we would love to help you explore your options!

And if there is a local business you think deserves a future Love Local spotlight, let us know. We always enjoy hearing about the places you love!