Sadie Hart receives Ear Community college scholarship

August 29, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Sadie Hart, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, 8/2024, U of Mississippi

Sadie Hart, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, 8/2024, U of Mississippi

August 2024
Congratulations to Sadie Hart for being one of our Ear Community college scholarship recipients this year!

Sadie was born with microtia and atresia of her right ear and grew up Brentwood, Tennessee, attending high school in Nashville. Sadie says while her microtia and atresia does moderately affect how she hears, she has managed to deal with her hearing loss, but never allows microtia and atresia to be an excuse for her.

Sadie is excited to begin the next chapter of her life at the University of Mississippi where she plans to major in business. Sadie is interested in real estate. She says, “…she has always been fascinated by how properties are bought, sold, and developed, and how the real estate market influences the economy. The idea of turning an empty lot into a thriving community or a neglected building into a vibrant commercial space is very exciting”! For Sadie, real estate seems like a perfect blend of business, creativity and the opportunity to make a difference in the community for others. Eventually, she hopes to gain a contractor’s license allowing her to be even more involved with the world of real estate.

Sadie is looking forward to both learning about business and real-world experience from her college professors as well as growing personally by being involved with the campus Greek life, clubs, attending events and making new friends!

Congratulations, Sadie! We are SO PROUD of YOU!!! Have a great time at “Ole Miss”, learn lots and go on to do great things, Sadie!

Thank you!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

Filed Under: Events, History

Kaylle receives the gift of hearing thanks to school advocates, Cochlear Americas and the Ear Community Organization

August 9, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Kaylle, Cochlear Baha 6 recipient through Ear Community, August 2024.

Meet Kaylle Perez, a happy little 2nd grader living in North Carolina, attending Cabarrus County Schools! Kaylle was born with unilateral microtia and atresia of her right ear. With Kaylle being in elementary school now, surrounded by peers and sounds in the school classroom, she realized she was struggling to hear everything clearly, including in conversations with her family. Kaylle’s school audiologist, Dr. Hannah Bell, also realized Kaylle was struggling with her hearing at school and informed Kaylle’s, mother, Mirena, of a hearing device that would help Kaylle hear better. After learning about a bone conduction hearing device, also known as a bone anchored hearing system, Kaylle’s mom began the process to obtain this hearing device for her daughter, but was denied insurance coverage for a hearing device.

Once learning how much a bone conduction hearing device would cost out of pocket, Mirena began looking for help through Kaylle’s school services, trying to help her daughter hear better. Mirena found help in Kaylle’s school interpreter, Teresita, spending countless hours filling out grant applications and scholarships, trying to find someone, anyone, that would help Kaylle obtain a hearing device. Sadly, only denials to hearing nothing back were the responses received. After seeing how much Mirena and Kaylle were struggling to obtain a bone anchored hearing device, Kaylee’s educational audiologist, Dr. Bell, wanted to see if she could find a way to help. After being inspired by their dedication in pursuing a device, Dr. Bell found our Ear Community Organization in her search! Dr. Bell worked with Kaylle and her mom one more time on an application for a hearing device. After receiving Kaylle’s application for a hearing device, Ear Community’s board voted to help Kaylle her hear!

On August 2nd, 2024, with the help of Cochlear Americas and the Ear Community Organization, together, Kaylle received a NEW Baha 6 bone conduction hearing system to help her hear better! A special thank you to Dr. Hannah Bell for following her passion and pressing on to help others hear as an audiologist! Dr. Bell says, “Mirena and Kaylle have reminded me why I love Audiology, which is why I went into this field – to help people hear!” Thank you to Dr. Nicole Pettine for fitting and programming Kaylle’s Baha 6! Dr. Pettine was able to fit and program Kaylle’s Baha 6 thanks to the help of Ear Community’s Pax’s Ear Fund program covering this audiology fitting expense that was also denied by insurance. Most of all, thank you to Kaylle’s mom, Mirena, for advocating for her daughter’s well being and for what is needed to help Kaylle thrive in school and in everyday life when it comes to hearing her best! Mirena says, “Kaylle deserves the ability to hear like her peers. She deserves to hear from the left and the right. She deserves to be an eight-year-old little girl with no worries about hearing things incorrectly or at all. She deserves not to worry about money and to hear as well as her siblings do!”

Ear Community is grateful for the help it receives when joining together to help community members, like Kaylle, hear their best! Thank you to Cochlear Americas for donating a Baha 6 for Kaylle! A special thank you to Taylor Snow, Content Marketing Manager at Cochlear Americas, for helping Kaylle receive the gift of hearing through our organization to Dr. Pettine! Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, and has provided more than 750,000 implantable devices – more than any other company – helping people of all ages to hear and connect with life’s opportunities. Since 2011, Cochlear Americas is a proud Platinum Sponsor to the Ear Community Organization, helping the microtia and atresia community. Thank you Cochlear Americas  for being a leading company behind the hearing device technology that helps children like Kaylle benefit when it comes to restoring hearing loss! Children and adults with microtia and atresia can only benefit from the use of a bone conduction hearing device because of specific related conductive hearing loss.

The world is a better place when the community pulls together to help give back to those in need! All of us at Ear Community hope Kaylle has an incredible start to the school year hearing her best with her new Baha 6! #HearNowAndAlways

Thank you,
Ear Community

Filed Under: Events, History

The Ear Community Organization Welcomes Newest Board Member, Alexander Lang!

August 6, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Alexander Lang, Ear Community Board Member

The Ear Community announces it’s newest Board of Director Member, Alexander Lang.

Board Members for the Ear Community Organization consist of members of the community that include individuals who were born with microtia and aural atresia, family members and medical professionals. “It is important for our community to be informed of all options for microtia and aural atresia, says Melissa Tumblin, Founder of Ear Community. It is also important to hear from individuals, like Alexander, who have microtia and atresia and to see how the journey with microtia and atresia is going. It is incredibly helpful for children and adults and their families to see what others in the community are doing in regard to the decisions they make along the way of their journey. This is where role models can play a big part in helping others understand decisions and choices and also to help give some perspective when talking with others in the same situation”.

Alexander recently shared the following on Ear Community’s Microtia and Atresia Support Group on Meta:
“I was born with unilateral microtia and atresia in my right ear. I have not had any corrective or reconstructive procedures and am not aided by any hearing devices. My parents wanted the choice to be mine. Growing up, my parents would always check in to see how I felt and if I wanted to explore my options. To be honest, having one ear never bothered me, it became part of my identity. To this day, I am very happy with my choice.

I believe that having one ear/hearing loss as a child taught me a lot of valuable lessons early in my life.
1. I learned how to advocate for myself. While I didn’t always take my own advice, I knew how to speak up if I couldn’t hear. I also knew to ask for specific seating in a classroom or loud environment.
2. I learned how to deal with adversity. Having one ear is certainly different, but not bad. Bullying was a very very rare occurrence. And when it did happen, I was equipped with the tools to resolve the conflict and move on.
3. I learned how to be patient. There are going to be times when it is hard to hear, and that’s okay. It can be hard, but having patience in those situations will make it much better. recognizing those situations also allows me to use advocacy skills and ask for help.

Today, Alexander is happily married and working as a senior project manager for a residential construction firm. He and his wife live in Minnesota with their two golden retrievers. They love to travel, spend time on the lake with their dogs, and play a variety of sports/activities. Alex says life with Microtia/atresia is great, and he’ll never have trouble sleeping through a storm!”

Alexander Lang at the Minnesota Ear Community picnic and conference, June 2024.

Alexander recently discovered the Ear Community Organization and attended an event in Minnesota this June. “I had no clue communities like this existed! It was so cool getting to be a part of a microtia/atresia conference and picnic! We met tons of families, kids and medical professionals. I’m looking forward to getting more involved and hopefully teaching kids all the ear related humor I know!”

“We are excited for Alexander to join our board,” said Ear Community Founder, Melissa Tumblin! “Our community is made up of amazing advocates and role models and this is exactly what Alexander will be amazing at when working with families within our community! We are looking forward to him coming on board”!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

Filed Under: Events, History

Spreading Microtia awareness through the children’s play, “Finding Nemo Jr.” in Georgia!

August 2, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Finding Nemo Jr. play in Georgia, directed by Lauren Hoyal, at the Thomaston Upson Art Council, 8/2024.

Finding Nemo Jr. play in Georgia, directed by Lauren Hoyal, at the Thomaston Upson Art Council, 8/2024.

Live in the Barnesville area of Georgia?
Would you like to see the children’s play called, “Finding Nemo Jr.”, helping spread awareness about microtia & atresia & raising funds benefiting the Ear Community Organization?

This children’s theater play taking place on August 9th, 10th & 11th, will be directed by Lauren Hoyal, a member of the microtia community & mom to Paxton! Lauren’s son, Paxton was born with microtia & atresia. Lauren will also be our Ear Community picnic host for our event in Georgia next summer! Lauren is a member of the Board for the Thomaston Upson Art Council & is looking forward to this special night she has worked hard to organize for the community to enjoy!

This year is the first of TUAC’s “Shows with a Purpose” program, bringing awareness to the Microtia & Atresia Ear Community Organization along with embracing, Nemo, as many in our community have a connection when they are missing an ear – like Nemo’s fin.

We will recognize anyone who comes with Microtia & Atresia at the beginning of the play & talk about Microtia & Atresia, as well as the Ear Community. During intermission there will be a 50/50 raffle & all funds raised will go to the Ear Community! Anyone with Microtia who comes to the show will have free entry!

If you live in the Barnesville, GA area & are interested in attending the play, for advance tickets – please visit https://www.tuacga.com/
or for more information, call: 706-647-1605!

Thank you so much to Lauren & her family for thinking of our community & for wanting to help spread awareness & give back to our Organization so we can continue doing more good work! Thank you to the Thomaston Upson Art Council too for all the good they do in Georgia! Thank you also to this year’s corporate sponsor for the play – Tidal Wave Auto Spa!

Enjoy!
Ear Community

Filed Under: Events, History

Oticon Medical’s Sentio™ System Receives Regulatory Clearance in the US

July 12, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Oticon Medical Sentio System

Oticon Medical Sentio System

 

Business Wire

ASKIM, Sweden, July 12, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oticon Medical announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of its first active transcutaneous bone conduction hearing system, the Sentio System. Sentio System delivers the proven benefits of the Ponto™ System – and more – in a transcutaneous option.The system includes Sentio 1 Mini, an external sound processor, and Sentio Ti Implant, placed under the skin. It is the smallest transcutaneous system available to date1.

While Ponto and other percutaneous bone-anchored hearing systems use skin-protruding abutments, the Sentio System provides an alternative keeping the skin intact. The Sentio System offers an additional solution for patients and supports our commitment to “freedom of choice.”

“With the launch of Sentio System, we provide best-in-class and the smallest active transcutaneous system. More importantly, Oticon Medical now offers a complete portfolio of bone-anchored hearing systems. This portfolio meets the needs of patients and customers, and fits diverse clinical settings and global reimbursement schemes for the treatment. We strongly believe that offering a broad portfolio is the path to achieving our mission to “Help more people” and give more potential users the quality of life improvements these systems offer”, says René Govaerts, President & General Manager, Oticon Medical.

The Sentio 1 Mini is designed with a focus on user comfort and ease of use. The device’s design and slim profile make it 26% lighter than an alternative1. It gives access to a 360-degree sound experience and offers the widest bandwidth of 9.5kHz.

Sentio Ti is a SuperPowerful implant developed to support patient’s progressive hearing loss, without the need for additional surgeries. Sentio Ti is designed and verified for a higher maximum force output, so that patients can rely on its ability to handle more powerful sound processors2. From a surgeon’s perspective, the implant is designed for surgical flexibility, ensuring a straightforward procedure.

Sentio System is indicated for candidates aged 12 and older who have been diagnosed with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, or single-sided deafness.

This launch marks a significant milestone for Oticon Medical, as it continues to deliver the innovative hearing solutions that help people live life to the fullest.

For more information visit www.oticonmedical.com.

Not all products are available in all markets. Product availability and indications are subject to regulatory approval and may vary depending on the market.

About Oticon Medical

Oticon Medical is a global company in implantable hearing solutions, dedicated to bringing the power of sound to people at every stage of life. For more than a decade, we have made bone anchored hearing systems more accessible by simplifying the treatment for physicians, audiologists, and patients alike.

We believe that patients and hearing care professionals should be able to choose the best possible solution at any time along the patient journey. We call it “Freedom of Choice” and it has always been paramount to Oticon Medical. This is the reason why our solutions are designed to be compatible whenever possible. As a result, an implant from Oticon Medical stands as a true testament to our unwavering lifelong support.

We work collaboratively with professionals to ensure that every solution we create is designed with our users’ needs in mind. We have a strong passion to provide innovative solutions and support that enhance quality of life and help people live life to the fullest – now and in the future.

Because we know how much sound matters.

References
1 Sentio implant and sound processor physical features and comparison to other devices (Doc-00123204)
2 275144en Product Information Sentio 1 Mini

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240712765107/en/

Contacts

Erik Lund
Marketing Director, Oticon Medical
E-mail: erld@oticonmedical.com
Mobile: +46 76 304 4482

Filed Under: Events, History

Cochlear receives FDA clearance to lower the age for the Osia® System to 5-years-old

June 11, 2024 By Leave a Comment

April 19th, 2024

Cochlear Americas Osia System

Cochlear Americas Osia System

Media Contact
Christy LaPlante
Public Relations Manager
Cochlear Americas

pr-cochlearamericas@cochlear.com

  • In the United States, the Osia System is now cleared for children ages 5 and older
  • The Osia System, which launched commercially in 2020, is indicated for people with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and single-sided sensorineural deafness (SSD)
  •  The Osia System has been shown to provide clinically significant improvements in high frequency hearing for children.2,3,4

Lone Tree, Colo. (April 19, 2024) – Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, obtained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to lower the age of the Cochlear™ Osia System from 12 years-old to 5-years-old for children with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and single-sided sensorineural deafness (SSD).

The Osia System is a new category of bone conduction hearing solutions that uses digital piezoelectric stimulation to bypass damaged areas of the natural hearing system to send sound vibrations directly to the inner ear (cochlea). It is the first and only active bone conduction system that allows patients to undergo MRI scans at both 1.5 T and 3.0 T without the need for surgery.1

Now children as young as 5 will be able to have full access to the Osia System’s unique technology that is optimized to deliver high power and clarity, especially in high-frequency sounds, which are important for hearing what others are saying.

“I love my Osia System. It’s given me the confidence to succeed in school. I can hear everything my teacher and my friends say,” Adrian R., 8-year-old Osia System recipient said.

Adrian was diagnosed with hearing loss at age 4 and started with the Baha® Sound Processor with a Baha Softband before transitioning to the Osia System at age 6.

Happy Adrian_Bone conduction solution Adrian with osia sound processor.jpg

“It has been amazing to see the transformation in Adrian. She has been doing so well in school and is able to keep up with her friends both in school and out. She is even learning the piano now and I never thought I would be able to say that. It has truly been life changing,” Dea R., parent to 8-year-old Adrian said.

The Osia System has been shown to provide clinically significant improvements in high frequency hearing for children.2,3,4

“I choose the Osia System for my pediatric patients because it really made the difference in terms of the sound clarity. It is absolutely incredible,” Dr. Daniela Carvalho, Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Rady Children’s Hospital said.

“All of my patients with the Osia System have come back to my office saying it’s the first time they’ve heard the birds chirping or other high-frequency sounds.”

Cochlear’s product portfolio is inspired by meaningful innovation and a core belief that technology is only as useful as the benefit it provides.

“The Osia System is transformative technology, and we’re pleased that it’s now accessible for children as young as 5. This aligns with our commitment to empower people across all stages of life to stay connected and thrive,” Lisa Aubert, President, Cochlear North America said.

 

Disclaimer

Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.

For a full list of Cochlear’s trademarks, please visit our Terms of Use page.

Filed Under: Events, History

Happy 14th Birthday to the Ear Community Organization! – May 20th, 2024

May 20, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Happy 14th Birthday to Ear Community!

Happy 14th Birthday to Ear Community!

Micotia Kids Rock!

Microtia Kids Rock!

TODAY, May 20th, is Ear Community’s Birthday! Our organization is 14 years old!

Ear Community is the first parent-driven nonprofit to serve the microtia and atresia community. Our organization is proud to have paved the way for our community with genetics research, research that will improve health care for our community for both the medical professional and patient and we are proud to advocate for what our community needs in regard to insurance for hearing devices! Our organization has done so much over the years and we are so proud to be able to continue giving back to our community as we continue our mission of helping our beautiful children and adults with microtia and aural atresia!

So far this year:
– Ear Community has already donated (2) hearing devices to two children in need with a third donation in process! Since 2012, our organization has donated over 175 BAHA devices to those in need!
– Ear Community has helped 2 children with find funds for their fitting/programming fees that were denied by their insurers. We have helped 2 audiologists still be able to give the gift of hearing through our Pax’s Ear Fund program specifically meant to help with this issue. Since last year, we have helped 10 individuals receive the gift of hearing!
– Ear Community has continued to advocate on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439/S. 1135 – our Federal piece of legislation that our organization has in place that will prevent private insurers from denying Bone Anchored Hearing Devices! With passage of this bill, our children and adults will be able to have these hearing devices covered from birth to age 64!
– Since 2011, Ear Community has hosted over 125 priceless events for our community in many different countries! We are looking forward to our upcoming events that begin on June 1st in the US and in Canada for this year!
– Ear Community has awarded over 20 college scholarships too!
– Ear Community has new findings through our research that show microtia and atresia are genetic on chromosome 3!
– We also look forward to everyone embracing our National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day this November 9th when the world recognizes our rare cause on our special day!

Our community is very important to us and we could not have our organization without our donors. Thank you to everyone who helps give back to our community through Ear Community! ❤👂

Please show us your support by helping give back to our May fundraiser, which is one of our main fundraisers during the year! So far, we only have $30 donated of our $5,000 goal and the chance to help give back ends on the last day of May! Please help us continue our mission of helping give back to our beautiful microtia and atresia community!

Ear Community
or
Our FB fundraiser at the following link:
Filed Under: Events, History

May 3rd is Good Vibrations Day | Bone Anchored Awareness Day

April 30, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Good Vibrations Bone Anchored Awareness Day May 3rd

Good Vibrations Bone Anchored Awareness Day May 3rd

Gothenburg

22 April 2024
Oticon Medical will celebrate the fourth annual Good Vibrations Day/Bone Anchored Awareness Day on May 3rd, 2024. This non-branded occasion was developed to raise awareness of bone conduction as an effective hearing treatment alternative for those with conductive, mixed, or single-sided hearing losses. Participation is open to all bone conduction device manufacturers, audiology professionals, and wearers with the goal of raising awareness of this treatment and celebrating its benefits worldwide.

Why May 3rd?
The May 3rd date was chosen because it is the birthday of Per-Ingvar Brånemark, a Swedish physician and research professor known as the father of osseointegration, and the godfather of bone anchored hearing. His discoveries enabled the development of modern bone conduction hearing devices.Wearers are encouraged to share video clips, photos, and stories depicting their lives with a bone anchored hearing system. Hearing care professionals are also invited to share their experiences fitting the devices and the benefits their patients have enjoyed.“I think a bone anchored hearing system supports an individual’s listening experience by simply giving them access to language and the sound in their environment,” said Educational Audiologist Elaine McCarty. “Being able to know what’s happening in their environment, connecting with other people, I think it’s a big one. Bringing that oomph to their system with the use of a tool like the bone anchored hearing system to give them better access to that.”How Bone Conduction Works
Bone conduction hearing systems treat hearing loss by bypassing missing or damaged portions of the wearer’s outer or middle ear and sending vibrations via the skull directly into the cochlea. From there, they are processed by the brain as sound. More than 400,000 people around the world use some form of a bone conduction hearing device and have benefited from the treatment.

A Global, Non-branded Day of Celebration
Leading up to and including May 3rd, Oticon Medical invites all bone conduction device manufacturers to join them in celebrating Good Vibrations Day, along with wearers, parents and caregivers to wearers, and hearing care professionals. Activities can include sharing experiences, information, and videos and photos from wearers, holding contests, and more across various social media platforms.

“As we mark our fourth year celebrating Good Vibrations Day,” René Govaerts, General Manager at Oticon Medical, affirms, “our dedication to the importance of sound remains unwavering. This momentous occasion has served as a significant day for raising awareness about the remarkable benefits of bone conduction. Given that many people around the world are still unaware of bone anchored hearing systems as a viable solution for their hearing loss, it’s imperative that we work to change this. Oticon Medical remains committed to advancing our collaborative efforts with other manufacturers, hearing care professionals, and current wearers to ensure that the transformative capability of bone conduction reaches all those in need.”

Good Vibrations Day posts, stories, tweets, reels, etc. can be shared by all using the #GoodVibrations and #BoneAnchoredHearing hashtags. They can also be viewed and shared via the official Good Vibrations Day Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/boneanchoredhearing. Hearing care professionals and wearers alike are encouraged to join this Facebook Page.

Media Contact:

Erik Lund
Marketing Director, Oticon Medical
E-mail: erld@oticonmedical.com
Mobile: +46 76 304 4482

About Oticon Medical

Oticon Medical is a global company in implantable hearing solutions, dedicated to bringing the power of sound to people at every stage of life. For more than a decade, we have made bone anchored hearing systems more accessible by simplifying the treatment for physicians, audiologists, and patients alike.

We believe that patients and hearing care professionals should be able to choose the best possible solution at any time along the patient journey. We call it “Freedom of Choice” and it has always been paramount to Oticon Medical. This is the reason why our solutions are designed to be compatible whenever possible. As a result, an implant from Oticon Medical stands as a true testament to our unwavering lifelong support.

We work collaboratively with professionals to ensure that every solution we create is designed with our users’ needs in mind. We have a strong passion to provide innovative solutions and support that enhance quality of life and help people live life to the fullest – now and in the future.

Because we know how much sound matters.

More information can be found at www.oticonmedical.com

Filed Under: Events, History

Ear Community exhibits at the 2024 EHDI Meeting in Denver, CO

April 5, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Caitlin Hurst, Melissa Tumblin and Melissa McClellan of Ear Community at the 2024 EHDI Meeting in Denver.

Our Ear Community Organization was proud to exhibit at the 2024 EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention) Meeting held in Denver, CO this week! Our booth was busy with audiologists, therapists, educators, doctors, researchers and parents coming to our booth for information on microtia and atresia! This was Ear Community’s 6th time being a part of the EHDI Meeting over the years.

We always have attendees who search for our booth looking to find out the latest information and options for microtia and atresia. We had parents attend, some even wore their Ear Community Microtia and Atresia Kids Rock t-shirts, which was awesome to see! Thank you to the organizations at EHDI who also endorse Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439/S. 1135! It was great seeing our organization’s Sponsors too (Cochlear Americas and MED-EL USA)! It was wonderful seeing so many friends and familiar faces and also new friends too!

Thank you to Caitlin Hurst, Melissa McClellan, Natasha Irwin Rich, Elizabeth M Desloge and Keesha Pfeiffer for all joining us in our booth as parents of microtia and atresia kids! Elizabeth hosts our National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day event each year in California and Natasha will be our Florida picnic host this June in collaboration with Nemours Children’s Health. Melissa McClellan is an amazing past board member of Ear Community who has enjoyed attending EHDI over the years with us and Caitlin and Melissa educated their hearts out about microtia and atresia! We had a special surprise – Caitlin and I discovered both of our kids had the same amazing teachers for speech during school over the years even though they are 6 years apart (Carm and Jeannine stopped by to see us)! We had audiologists and early intervention specialists who came to EHDI just to see us, especially audiologists who were born with microtia and atresia! We had a family attend coming all the way from Hawaii who visited with Caitlin as they both have had outer ear reconstruction with their kids and Dr. Tahiri Plastic Surgery! We shared about our picnic schedule with attendees to our booth along with the programs and work our organization offers as well! Ear Community is also proud to always include our children by honoring them in the booth with their pictures too! The last time Ear Community exhibited with EHDI in Denver in 2018, our organization’s Founder, Melissa Tumblin, was the recipient of the EHDI Family Leadership in Excellence Award!

Here are some fun memories from this week at EHDI while joining many of our friends and industry partners helping educate on all things Deaf and Hard of Hearing, especially on microtia and atresia! It was wonderful to see everyone this year at EHDI! 👂❤️
Thank you!
Ear Community

Filed Under: Events, History

Ear Community launches Pax’s Eyewear Fund offering eyeglasses & sunglasses for children with microtia & atresia

April 5, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Pax’s Eyewear Fund is made possible by a sweet little boy named Pax who was born with microtia and atresia. Pax and his family know how important it is to help children have the eyeglasses and sunglasses they need, but glasses that can stay up when they are missing ears. Ear Community is grateful for Pax’s Eyewear Fund! Pax’s Eyewear fund gives Ear Community the opportunity to help give back to our community when helping members of the microtia and atresia community see.

James Hermsen of Adaptive Eyewear Solutions is a friend of our organization who has helped provide microtia glasses for our community since 2017 at our picnics. James is the passionate soul behind making these eyeglass and sunglasses with straps and adapter, including fittings to keep bone anchored hearing devices on as well. James can be reached directly at: getunhinged@gmail.com  if you are in need of glasses for a child who has microtia and atresia. James can also fit existing sun or eyeglasses with his adapters and straps as part of our Ear Community Pax’s Eyewear fund if your child should already have a favorite pair of eye or sunglasses. To learn more about this eyewear for children with microtia, please click here.  * Please tell James you learned of his eyeglasses and sunglasses for microtia kids through Ear Community when reaching out to him.

It is Ear Community’s goal to help as many children with microtia as much as possible in. We are grateful to Pax and his family for making this fund possible through our Ear Community Organization!
Thank you,
EarCommunity.org

Filed Under: Events, History
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