About Ear Community

Ear Community is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. Ear Community helps children and adults who are born with Microtia and Atresia (when someone is born missing one or both of their ears and has no ear canal(s) resulting in hearing loss). Ear Community began as a global support group on Facebook on May 20th, 2010, called the “Microtia and Atresia Support Group.” Since then, we knew we had to help more and in 2012, the Ear Community Organization was founded as a nonprofit organization. While Ear Community is head quartered in the United States, we try to help as many Microtia and Atresia loved ones as we can around the world. Since inception, we have been able to help thousands of individuals who are born with Microtia and Atresia. Ear Community has a board of directors and also an advisory board made up of individuals who understand Microtia and Atresia. Ear Community’s board of directors and advisors include members who have Microtia and Atresia or who have loved ones who were born with Microtia and Atresia, doctors specializing in Microtia and Atresia or who simply would like to be a part of our community embracing our rare cause. Here are the programs available through Ear Community.

Below are current board members for Ear Community:

Executive Officers

Melissa Tumblin, Founder of Ear Community

Melissa Tumblin, Executive Director
Melissa is responsible for managing the day to day business duties of the organization including managing events, awards, grants, donations, finances, contracts and is the voice of the organization. Melissa is also the founder of the Ear Community Organization. Melissa started the Microtia and Atresia Support Group and founded Ear Community just six months after her youngest daughter, Ally, was born with Microtia and Aural Atresia of her right ear realizing that the Microtia and Atresia community was underserved.

Since founding Ear Community, Melissa has championed genetic research for Microtia and Atresia and is a co-investigator on a grant with Harvard, Vanderbilt, MIT and the Gabriella Miller Kids First Foundation. She has presented before the FDA on 3D Printed regenerated ears during a listening session. She has presented multiple accredited webinars through AudiologyOnline, the EAA, for hearing device companies, at surgical conferences and before college classrooms. Melissa sits on many boards and committees including the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research (FriendsNIDCR/AADR), Friends of the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus (CHHC), Auregen Biotherapeutics, the CARE Team with Seattle Children’s Hospital for research on craniofacial microsomia and the ACPA American Cleft Palate Association. Melissa established National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day for our community which takes place every November 9th. Ear Community has two federal pieces of legislation introduced called Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439 and S. 1135 (named after Melissa’s daughter, Ally) and also a Resolution for National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day being recognized every November 9th (H.Res 786 and S.Res 457).

Caitlin Hurst, Program Director

Caitlin Hurst, Program Director
Caitlin Hurst, is responsible for organizing Ear Community’s events including managing the organization’s online support groups, in addition to assisting with social media and legislation. Caitlin’s family found Ear Community when her son, Cash, was born with unilateral Microtia and Atresia and has since then been involved with our organization and our picnics over the years. Caitlin is also an amazing part-time ER Nurse of 17 years.

Ear Community believes in promoting awareness and education about Microtia and Aural Atresia in an unbiased manner, but to also involve the members of the Microtia and Atresia community as well as give back to our members of our community. Decisions are decided upon and approved by Ear Community’s board.

Board of Director Members
Melissa Tumblin – Executive Director and Founder of Ear Community. Melissa’s daughter, Ally, was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. Ally still has her lucky little right ear and wears the Oticon Medical Ponto 5 Superpower. The Tumblin Family lives in Colorado.  (term:  2012 – present)

Rachel Songy Bernhard – Board of Director Member for Ear Community.  Rachel is an adult who has Microtia and atresia of her left ear and is aided with the MED-EL ADHEAR, living in Louisiana.  (term:  2019-2025)

Ellen Paderson – Board of Director Member for Ear Community. Ellen Paderson is an adult who was born with Microtia and Atresia and who has reconstructive surgery who is not aided with a hearing device. Ellen runs a leading travel business in Massachussetts and has a grandson who was also born with Microtia and Atresia. (term: 2019-2025)

Dr. Shannon Culbertson – Board of Director Member for Ear Community. Shannon is an adult who was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia who has had reconstructive ear surgery and is aided with the Oticon Medical Ponto. Shannon is an audiologist at Chapel Hill in North Carolina. (term: 2020-2026)

Noelle McFarland – Board of Director Member for Ear Community. Noelle is an adult who was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. She has not had reconstructive surgery, nor is she aided with a hearing device. She is a performing singer/songwriter with a bachelor’s degree in music living in Nashville, Tennessee. (term: 2023-2026).

Elizabeth Mazer – Board of Director Member for Ear Community. Liz’s nephew, Barrett, was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia and is aided with two Oticon Medical Ponto sound processors. Liz is a trader for an alternative asset manager in Virginia. (term: 2023-2026)

Joshua Shrader – Board of Director Member for Ear Community. Joshua is an adult who was born with unilateral Microtia and Atresia of his right ear with craniofcial microsomia. Joshua has had complete upper and lower jaw reconstruction and is not aided with a hearing device. Joshua has served in top finance and banking management roles in Virginia. (term: 2024-2027)

Alexander Lang – Board of Director Member for the Ear Community. Alexander is an adult who was born with unilateral Microtia and Atresia of his right ear. Alexander has not had any reconstructive surgeries and is not aided with a hearing device. Alexander is a Senior Project Manager in residential construction and lives with his wife and two golden retrievers in Minnesota. (term 2024-2027)

Past Ear Community Board of Director Members:
Angela Sabal (Virgina – parent of a child born with bilateral M/A) – one term = 3 years)
Tiffany Wilke (Wisconsin – parent of a child born with bilateral M/A) – one term = 3 years)
Melanie Mendoza (Texas – parent of a child born with M/A) – one term = 3 years)
Justin Bays (Ohio – born with M/A) – one term – 3 years)
Kathryn Goings (Colorado – parent of a child born with M/A) – one term = 3 years)
Camilla Gilbert (Ohio – born with bilateral M/A) – one term – 3 years)
Tina Siskoff (Illinois – parent of a child born with M/A) – one term = 3 years)
Robert Valdez (Colorado – parent of a child born with M/A) – one term = 3 years)
Heidi Jeffs (Idaho – parent of a child born with M/A) Heidi was also an employee for 4 years (2017-2021).
Katie Jacob, Esq. (Ohio – parent of a child born with Atresia) – one term = 3 years)
Dr. Summer Heard, AuD. (Alabama – parent of a child born with M/A – two terms = 6 years)
Scott Newcomb (Colorado – parent of a child born with M/A – two terms = 6 years)
Dottie Czerny – (California- Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) – one term = 3 years)
Kristen Hale (Colorado – parent of a child born with M/A) – one term = 3 years)
Melissa Shemanski – (Indiana – parent of a child born with M/A) – one term = 3 years)
Lauren “Ren” Franco-Belyea (Maryland – born with M/A) – one term = 3 years)
Melissa McClellan – (Kentucky – parent of a child born with M/A) – two terms = 6 years)
Kristy Smith – (Arizona – parent of a child born with M/A) – two terms = 6 years)
Dr. Leslie Gonsette, MD – (Alaska – parent of a child born with M/A) – two terms = 6 years)
Cindy Stewart – (Canada  – parent of a child born with M/A) three terms = 9 years)
Rosemarie Fabian (Florida – parent of a child born with bilateral M/A) – one term = 3 years)

Ear Community Admins/Volunteers
– for our online support group, the “Microtia and Atresia Support Group” on Facebook:  click here for our support group
Elia Wooten (elementary school teacher) – born with Microtia and Atresia, had rib graft surgery, is unaided, has a daughter and a nephew with M/A.  Elia’s daughter is unaided and has not had reconstructive surgery.
Shannon Gordon (early intervention therapist) – her son, Davin, was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia, has had Medpor surgery and canalplasty and is implanted with (2) Oticon Medical Ponto 5 BAHS.
Tara Medina (emergency response dispatcher) – her son, Tai, was the first child to receive a 3D printed prosthetic ear in the United States.  Tai is aided with the Oticon Medical Ponto BAHS on a soft band.  Tai has not had any surgery.
Heidi Jeffs (salon business owner) – her daughter, Rosalee, was born with Microtia and Atresia of her left ear.  Rosalee is aided with the Cochlear Baha on the soft band.  Rosalee has not had any surgeries yet.
Melissa McClellen (Radiology tech and advocate for hearing loss) – her son, Jamison, was born with Microtia and Atresia of his left ear.  Jamison is aided with the Cochlear Baha 5 on the Sound Arc and uses the mini-microphone at school.  Jamison has not had any surgeries yet.
Kasi Logan – (her daughter, Ella, was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia)  Ella has had Medpor surgery for both ears.  Ella is aided with the Cochlear Baha 5.  Ella also had heart surgery when she was a baby…she is a fighter!
Rachel Bernhard – (born with Microtia and Atresia). Rachel is aided with the MED-EL ADHEAR.
Caitlin Hurst – (ER Nurse) – her son, Cash, was born with Microtia and Atresia of his right ear. Cash is aided with a Cochlear Baha and has had OmniPore ear surgery.
Melissa Tumblin (Founder of Ear Community) – her daughter, Ally, was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear and is aided with the Oticon Medical Ponto 5 Superpower on the soft band headband.  Ally has not had any surgeries yet.

Advisory Board Members

Dr. Arturo Bonilla, M.D.

Dr. Arturo Bonilla, M.D. is a board certified Otolaryngologist ENT. Dr. Bonilla represents the option for outer ear reconstructive surgery regarding the Rib Graft surgical technique on Ear Community’s Advisory Board. Dr. Bonilla is a pediatric Microtia repair surgeon and is also the Founder of the Microtia Congenital Ear Deformity Institute in Texas (USA). Testimonial – “The Ear Community family and nonprofit has transformed the way parents who have children with Microtia and Atresia communicate with each other. Ear Community offers extremely informative and unbiased options for families seeking help. I am honored to be on the advisory board.”

Dr. Linda Cox, Au.D.

Dr. Linda Cox, Au.D, CED is an educational Pediatric Audiologist and Deaf Educator (ToDHH). Dr. cox represents professional educational audiologists and educators for the deaf and hard of hearing on Ear Community’s Advisory Board. Dr. Cox is a member of and the Treasurer for the Educational Audiology Association (EAA), an international organization of Audiologists and related professionals who deliver a full spectrum of hearing services to all children, particularly those in educational settings. Dr. Cox is also the owner of Audiology Services in Florida (USA). Testimonial – “I wholeheartedly endorse the Ear Community as a warm and supportive community for individuals who were born with Microtia and Atresia and hearing loss. All Audiologists should consider making the Ear Community website the “GoTo” place for a support community for individuals regarding their options for managing hearing loss and minimizing its negative impact on daily life through technology and/or reconstructive surgical options.”

Greg Gion, MMS, CCA

Greg Gion, MMS, CCA, BOCP is a certified clinical Anaplastologist representing professionals and the option for prosthesis on Ear Community’s Advisory Board. Greg is the Founder of the Medical Art Prosthetics Clinic and is a former chairman of the Committee on Eligibility for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology (BCCA). Testimonial – “Ear Community founded by Melissa Tumblin fills a large whole in the body of information that is currently available to individuals with Microtia, young or old. Real experiences and feelings, shared by patients or families faced with the same decisions about treatments or by others who really live with the same outcome of a particular treatment provided that additional dimension that helps make a more comfortable well-informed decision.

Dr. Bradly Kesser, M.D.

Dr. Brad Kesser, M.D. is a board certified Otologist, Otolaryngologist, and Neurotologist ENT. Dr. Kesser represents the option for canal repair (atresia repair/canalplasty) for Ear Community’s Advisory Board. Dr. Kesser is a member of the faculty in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Virginia (USA) where he specializes in congenital ear disease (aural atresia), hearing loss, dizziness and balance disorders, skull base tumors, acoustic neuroma, and chronic ear disease including cholesteatoma including the implantation of hearing devices. Testimonial – “Words of Wisdom….Ear Communtiy is just that – both virtually and physically – to discuss experiences, joys, disappointments, options, and technologies in the arenas of hearing rehabilitation, microtia surgery, and atresia repair. Thank you, thank you for providing this support to families. It is through sites like yours and people like you that families get accurate and important information about how best to take care of their little loved ones. My sincere appreciation to you for what you have done.”

Dr. Sheryl Lewin, M.D.

Dr. Sheryl Lewin, M.D. is a board certified Plastic Surgeon for Microtia repair. Dr. Lewin represents the option for the outer ear reconstructive surgery regarding the Medpor/Supor surgical technique on Ear Community’s Advisory Board. Dr. Lewin is the Founder of Earicles, Miracles for Ears, a nonprofit organization that helps children with surgery who are born with Microtia. Dr. Lewin also has her own practice called Aesthetic Ear Reconstruction in California (USA). Testimonial – “I am honored to serve on the Board of Advisors for Ear Community. Prior to the development of the Ear Community website, it was a very difficult process for someone with Microtia/Atresia or their loved ones to become educated about all of the issues and options surrounding this condition. The Ear Community took on that challenge in a thoughtful and all-inclusive way to create a true online community providing support and education to fill the large void that currently exists in the medical community with respect to information about Microtia and Atresia.”

Dr. John Reinisch, M.D.

Dr. John Reinisch, M.D. is a board certified Plastic Surgeon for Microtia repair and is the pioneer of the Medpor surgical technique for outer ear reconstruction. Dr. Reinisch represents the option for outer ear reconstructive surgery regarding the Medpor surgical technique on Ear Community’s Advisory Board. Dr. Reinisch has his own private practice called Reinisch Plastic Surgery in California (USA). Dr. Reinisch’s work is further supported by a wonderful nonprofit organization called the Small Wonders Foundation (founded by parents) by helping finance surgeries and provide emotional support to families who need surgery that Dr. Reinisch can help accommodate. Testimonial – “What Melissa is doing with Ear Community will revolutionize how the world thinks about Microtia and Atresia in the future. What Melissa has done is just incredible. I applaud her efforts and what she is doing for the Microtia and Atresia community. Thank you for your commitment to these families and to the medical professionals everywhere.”

Dr. Joseph Roberson, M.D.

Dr. Joseph Roberson, M.D. is a board certified Otologist, Otolaryngologist, and Neurotologist ENT. Dr. Roberson represents the option for canal repair (atresia repair/canalplasty) for Ear Community’s Advisory Board. Dr. Roberson specializes in congenital ear disease (aural atresia), hearing loss, dizziness and balance disorders, skull base tumors, acoustic neuroma, and chronic ear disease including cholesteatoma and including the implantation of hearing devices. Dr. Roberson is CEO and Managing Partner of the California Ear Institute (USA). Dr. Roberson is also the Founder and President of the Let Them Hear Foundation, a nonprofit medical organization that is passionate about bringing the gift of hearing to those living in silence in the U.S. and around the world. Testimonial – “Parents and patients are almost always faced with a need to efficiently gather accurate facts in treatment decision making regarding A-M. Fortunately, for all of us, new options are available and will continue to emerge for years. Ear Community is a wonderful place to discuss ideas, experiences and options with other parents and patients undergoing treatment – a valuable and wonderful resource for you. I am honored to facilitate that process for any family or patient partnering with EC.”

Dr. Carolyn Smaka, Au.D

Dr. Carolyn Smaka, Au.D. is the Editor-in-Chief for AudiologyOnline, a recognized leader in online professional development and career center resources for audiologists and hearing care professionals worldwide. Dr. Smaka represents professional audiologists on Ear Community’s Advisory Board along with the philosophy of helping children and adults who have hearing loss with emotional support and educating individuals on the latest options in hearing device technology that can help provide a better quality of life. Testimonial – “Ear Community is a one-of-a-kind resource that empowers families and gives professionals insight into the patient and family journeys and the psychosocial impact of microtia/atresia. Fueled by the limitless passion and enthusiasm of its founder, Melissa Tumblin, Ear Community advances our collective understanding of microtia/atresia to help ensure the best possible outcomes for each individual.”

Dr. Summer Heard, Au.D.

Dr. Summer Heard, Au.D. is a professional audiologist, certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association.  Dr. Heard has held positions on professional boards at the state and national level, including with the AAA (American Academy of Audiology) and has a sterling reputation among her colleagues.  Dr. Heard has a wide range of diagnostic and rehabilitative experience with patients of all ages – pediatric, adult, and geriatric and is employed at Hearing Life.  Dr. Heard represents professional audiologists on Ear Community’s Advisory Board and also happens to be a mother of a child born with Microtia and Atresia of his right ear.  Testimonial – “I am so excited to find this site!  I was looking for CEU courses on Audiology Online and Poof, there you were!  My son has unilateral microtia and atresia. He loves his “Nemo Ear.”  It is so refreshing to speak with another mother who has a child with M/A and can understand personally and professionally where I am coming from.”

Dr. Leslie Gonsette and her daughter, Sofie (RMA)

Dr. Leslie Gonsette, M.D. is a board certified physician in both internal medicine and pediatrics and a proud mother of Sofie, her daughter who was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. Testimonial –  “I want to thank you again for all that you’ve done to help parents of children with MA. It’s been a blessing having the connection, resources and support.”

 

 

Katie Jacob, Esq.

Katie Jacob, Esq. is an Attorney located in Cincinnati, Ohio practicing in the area of Immigration and Compliance Law.  She has developed a niche practice area, representing international physicians and healthcare professionals such as audiologists, speech and language pathologists, medical researchers, and other specialties with their immigration needs.  She is also a member of the International Medical Graduates Taskforce, a professional organization focused around lobbying and advocating for the unique needs of international medical practitioners as well as increased access to healthcare for patients in rural and under-served communities.  Through this organization and other healthcare advocacy groups, Katie is able to meet, network with, and represent many of the top healthcare professionals located within private practices and academic health centers throughout the country.  Testimonial – “I would like to compliment you on the Ear Community website.  I have read a LOT about our son’s condition over the past years and always felt like there was no real comprehensive source that really described our issues.  Your site does all of that and more!  I especially liked the surgery info and related conditions sections.  Thanks again for the work you put into this.  I only wish I had found it sooner!”

Dottie Czerny, teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing

Dottie Czerny is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She has taught all ages from birth to transition over the past 36 years. Currently Dottie is teaching for Long Beach Unified School District in Southern California. She has worked with many students with Atresia/Microtia through out her career.

 

George Scott, Digital Media Entrepreneur

George Scott is an Executive who has worked in Digital and Mobile Technologies related to sports for 20+ years.  He became interested in supporting earcommunity.org after being inspired by Ally’s story on CNN and all that she and her mother Melissa were doing to help adults and children get access to much needed hearing devices through mandated federal insurance coverage.  George experienced hearing loss first hand when in 2017 he suffered from Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) and spent nearly six months struggling to understand conversations, even with the use of hearing aids.  He has since recovered thanks to the help of some very dedicated medical professionals, audiologists and advanced technology in hearing aids.  The whole process was very traumatic and gave George a tremendous amount of empathy for the deaf and partially deaf children who are unable to afford the high cost of hearing devices and surgeries that are rarely covered by insurance.  George has joined the Ear Community Board of Advisors with the hope of supporting Melissa, Ally and their organization in bringing hearing coverage to those in need.

Anti-Discrimination Statement

It is the policy of Ear Community and its online support group, the Microtia and Atresia Support Group on Facebook, that it offer a community of emotional support that is free of discrimination, harassment or verbal abuse to anyone without regard to race, religious creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, disability, veteran status, military obligations and marital status. It is also the philosophy of Ear Community and the Microtia and Atresia Support Group that each and every individual (child or adult) be informed of “all” options that are currently available to them regarding Microtia and Atresia, including hearing loss, and regarding the latest in medical device technology and surgical options . It is also the belief of Ear Community and the Microtia and Atresia Support Group that no matter what decision you make, that decision is the probably the right decision for you. This is a community where all individuals living with Microtia and Atresia are in the same or similar situation and therefore, all should offer encouragement and support for one another in a positive manner regardless of the decision that has been made. Ear Community prides itself on providing helpful information that is presented in an unbiased manner, hoping that the information provided will help each and every individual to make a decision that is best for them.

Financials
All Form 990’s since 2012 for Ear Community have been publicly filed per IRS guidelines and can be found here on the GuideStar – Candid website by entering Ear Community in the search field.  GuideStar USA, Inc. and Candid is an information service specializing in reporting on U.S. nonprofit companies and showing transparency.  It is organization’s like GuideStar that provide information on nonprofits that are in good standing, to companies nationwide allowing nonprofits to participate in corporate giving programs and campaigns.  Here is an article on transparency by GuideStar –  Candid.

Information

The Ear Community Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Federal Tax ID # 46-0923897
www.EarCommunity.org

280 E. 1st Avenue, Unit 704
Broomfield, CO  80038  USA