December 22, 2015. YuXi Sun Todd, born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia, wearing her newly donated Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices.

Meet YuXi Sun Todd.  YuXi is a beautiful seven year old girl who was born in Beijing, China, but is now a citizen living in the United States.  YuXi was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia and has lived in an orphanage in China since three months of age.

On May 22nd, 2015, YuXi was adopted by her new parents, Lynn and Barbara Todd of Winter Haven, Florida.  Lynn and Barbara Todd were on an adoption list for nearly 10 years and finally got the call for little YuXi, but by now they had retired and didn’t have the income they once had 10 years ago when originally wanting to adopt.  So, they pulled together the funds they had, took out a loan, and dipped into their savings and retirement to adopt YuXi.  The first thing they wanted to focus on with YuXi was to help her hear.  YuXi was only speaking a few words of English and when they would repeat words back to her they noticed she was really struggling to hear them and wasn’t pronouncing the words back clearly.  After taking YuXi to an ENT who had suggested the use of a bone conduction hearing device, they contacted their insurance about hearing device coverage.  Unfortunately, the Todd family did not have coverage for a hearing device for YuXi and were turned away.  After spending a couple of thousand dollars on a dental bill for YuXi’s teeth to fix cavities and after the adoption fees there was not a lot of funds available to them for two hearing devices for YuXi.  The Todd family was concerned for YuXi’s communication and wanted YuXi to feel comfortable in her new home with her new family.

YuXi’s parents were told about the Ear Community Organization and applied for a hearing device for YuXi.  On December 22nd, 2015, YuXi was fitted with two newly donated Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices through the Ear Community Organization just in time for Christmas.  Since YuXi has been aided with her two Ponto Plus hearing devices YuXi’s mother, Barbara said ” I will tell you the difference in her hearing is AMAZING!!  She is better able to enunciate words, sounds and putting together sentences.  I would honestly say  she has picked up more English in the past week than in the last 3-4 months.  She is singing Christmas carols and along with radio.  She was talking to her sister on Facetime and really was answering appropriately.”  Thank you to Dr. Chelsea McNee of Tampa Children’s ENT for getting YuXi into your office just before the holiday so YuXi could receive the gift of hearing for Christmas.

A very special thank you to Alan Raffauf, Vice President of Marketing for Oticon MedicalUS, for choosing to donate the new Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices w/streamer to Ear Community so that they could be donated to YuXi to help her hear better outside of the school classroom. Thank you for everyone’s support and for helping Ear Community continue with its mission of helping individuals with Microtia and Atresia.Oticon Medical believes in helping individuals with hearing loss so that they can live a better quality of life. Oticon Medical is a well respected international hearing device manufacturer that is a part of the “William Demant Group [which has] 100-plus years of experience in audiology and sound processing and established manufacturing and logistics infrastructure.”

Congratulations to hearing so much better now YuXi!  All of us here at Ear Community are so happy that you can not only hear better with your new Pontos, but that you are able to hear clearly so you can learn English easier.

Congratulations again YuXi!
All of us at Ear Community
www.EarCommunity.org

December, 18th 2015. Julia Patrick of Resort2Kindness presenting Melissa Tumblin with a grant for $10,000 to the Ear Community Organization. Pictured with her two children, Hailey and Ally (whom Ear Community was founded after).

On December, 18th, 2015, Melissa Tumblin, Founder of the Ear Community Organization, was presented with a $10,000 grant by Julia Patrick, a representative of the Resort2Kindness Organization, a nonprofit organization that spreads kindness and generosity in Colorado.  Originally, Melissa thought she was attending a lunch interview for being one of the three finalists for this grant.  To Melissa’s surprise, during the lunch, she was presented with flowers and then was asked to open a box.  In the box were some thank you cards and a booklet that Melissa was asked to read.  As Melissa read through each page, reading about kindness and sharing and generosity and thanks, she then began reading about her own organization and the thanks to her for helping so many others realizing that she had been awarded the grant!  Beneath this booklet was a check for $10,000 for the Ear Community Organization!

Originally, Julia Patrick, of the Resort2Kindess Organization, had contacted Melissa earlier in the year (April) asking how Ear Community could partner with Resort2Kindness in the community to help others in need.  After giving suggestions, Julia wanted to learn a bit more about Ear Community and so Melissa explained more to her about her small organization. A few months later, Julia told Melissa about the opportunity for a grant and told her that she would apply on her behalf because she really loved what the Ear Community Organization does.  Melissa thought this was very thoughtful and how kind of someone to want to help her organization and apply for the grant for her!  During December, the lunch interview was scheduled where Melissa would be surprised to have learned that she won the grant for 2015.

Melissa asked Julia how the Resort2Kindess Organization was founded.  Julia explained to Melissa that she works with some pretty amazing women, one of them being Elva Pellouchoud, who is the Founder of Epiphany, Inc., a Denver based marketing and branding agency that specializes in the development and implementation of creative branding and marketing programs for clients in luxury and philanthropy.  Julia explained to me that the Resort2Kindess Organization is Elva’s vision of a nonprofit charity that helps give back to the community by promoting kindness and generosity by helping others in need.  Elva’s vision was to provide an organization that would be able to give back to the community by helping promote individual acts of kindness with the help of donations from charity sponsors.  So, thank you Elva and Epiphany, Inc. and to all of the sponsors who came together to not only select Ear Community as the charity organization to give back to for 2015, but for also making these funds possible.  This grant will help Ear Community with some operational expenses, go toward some of our picnic expenses when we bring families together at our events, fund the organization’s application to the IRS for becoming their own entity, and go toward some expenses for the Ear Community Organization to attend a professional industry conference where we promote education and awareness about Microtia and Atresia.

Melissa did ask how Julia found out about the Ear Community Organization.  Julia said that one of the employees for Epiphany, Inc. was standing in line at a local Costco in Superior/Louisville, Colorado one day speaking to a man (Coty) who trains service dogs for people who have Alzheimer’s Disease.  Apparently, this man told the person in line all about what Ear Community does and how much we help children (and their families) who were born with missing ears, hearing loss, and who have facial challenges.  He must have shown some wonderful excitement for what Ear Community does, because he inspired the Resort2Kindness Organization.  It is amazing what the power of community can do.  Thank you Coty for liking what Ear Community does.  I am trying to find you to thank you for what you did because I do not think you realize what you did by just telling someone about our organization!

Thank you again for the wonderful opportunity to be granted these funds for the Ear Community Organization and for supporting a small Colorado head quartered nonprofit organization.  Thank you to Elva and the entire Epiphany, Inc. team!  Thank you especially to Julia Patrick, who is amazing too!  I am so thankful for your kindness and in getting to know you over this past year!  You have the best job on earth.  Go spread some more kindness and generosity my friend!  Thank you for making that day an incredibly amazing day that I will always remember!

Thank you again!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder and Executive Director
Ear Community
www.EarCommunity.org

December 1st, 2015 is Giving Tuesday Day, a global day to help give back to charity organizations and the community.

Today is Giving Tuesday! While the Ear Community Organization may be headquartered in Colorado, we help children and adults with Microtia and Atresia all over the United States and in many countries across the world! Ear Community brought together over 1,000 people this year at our events held in Australia, Denmark, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Washington, and South Africa! Ear Community was able to help nine children and one adult hear better this year by helping obtain new hearing devices for them. Our hearing device recipients this year came from various states across the United States and from China, the Philippines, and South Africa! We also awarded one college scholarship too!

2015 was a special year for the Ear Community Organization as we exhibited for the very first time at two conferences (EDHI and EAA) helping promote education and awareness about Microtia and Atresia to parents, audiologists, state council members, teachers of the deaf, therapists, and various medical professionals. Ear Community offers even more help through sponsored educational webinars, help through its six online support groups, and the opportunity to learn about Microtia and Atresia through our amazing website that is translatable in 47 different languages.

Ear Community is the leading parent driven nonprofit organization for the Microtia and Atresia community. Ear Community is also a grass roots organization. We might be tiny, but we are mighty in what we do! If you like what Ear Community is doing, please show us your support on Giving Tuesday and consider Ear Community as a charity organization to make a donation to so we can help even more individuals with Microtia and Atresia.

Thank you to our dedicated sponsors who have believed in Ear Community over the years: Cochlear Americas, Oticon Medical, and Stryker CMF and all of the wonderful individuals who have already shown your support for Ear Community! Thank you to all of the families who have come together at our events helping make Ear Community the special charity organization that it is. We appreciate all of you and we are so happy that we have come to know each other so we are no longer alone with Microtia and Atresia (and hemifacial challenges).

Please click here if you would like to support the Ear Community Organization during this season of giving.

A Truly New Perspective on Tissue Preservation

MIPS_starpic

Copenhagen, DK November 30 — Oticon Medical has long recognized the benefits of tissue preservation surgery in bone anchored hearing surgery for reducing post- op complication and improving cosmetic outcomes. This week, Oticon Medical introduced a further refinement of the proven tissue preservation surgery for use with the company’s Ponto System. The new FDA-cleared Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery (MIPS) is performed with minimal skin penetration and less interference to soft tissue than ever before. The reduced level of intervention aims to minimize post-op complications. A minor punch incision removes only the soft tissue that corresponds to the shape of the Ponto abutment. The suture-free surgery enables improved cosmetic outcomes for the patients, with no scar formation around the abutment site.

“For patients and surgeons, tissue preservation has been one of the most important surgical developments in the bone anchored hearing in terms of quicker surgery, shorter healing time and less numbness and pain1,” said Oticon Medical President Jes Olsen. “With Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery, we provide a truly new perspective on tissue preservation with strong patient benefits — suture-free surgery with no scarring and aiming for fewer post-op complications.”

Minimizing Post-op Complications

Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery aims to reduce the risk of any complications following surgery by minimizing the surgical intervention. The new surgical technique is performed with a minor incision without scar formation around the site. Only the soft tissue that corresponds to the shape of the Ponto abutment is removed. By maximizing tissue preservation, MIPS leaves patient’s blood supply, micro circulation and nerves as intact as possible.

A complete kit of new surgical components have been tailor-made to support Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery. The core of the new instrumentation is the cannula that together with the new state-of-the-art drill system delivers a bone- and tissue-friendly system setup for surgical control and precise tactility.

The full drilling procedure is performed through the cannula which protects the soft tissue and holds the cooling fluid during drilling. The new drills are designed for more efficient drilling with a twist drill design that helps remove bone chips from the drilled hole and also allows cooling fluid to reach the bone2. The implant insertion is guided by the insertion indicator that supports the operator in judging when the implant is fully seated. Finally, the new soft healing cap is fitted to stay in place during the short healing period.

Designed for Tissue Preservation Surgery

Oticon Medical offers the most extensive family of abutments for variation in skin thicknesses, all ideally suited for Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery. With a pure titanium surface and the revolutionary OptiFit™ geometry, Ponto abutments are scientifically proven for tissue preservation surgery1. The even, supportive surface and perfectly matched interface of Ponto abutments create an optimized fit that leaves no pockets or pathways where skin needs to grow back or where bacteria can collect.

Increasing Patient Benefit

MIPS_surgery kit

Sixteen clinics in 6 countries participated in an evaluation of MIPS. The evaluation involved surgeons who currently perform BAHS surgery, all experienced in tissue preservation techniques2. At the conclusion of the trial, 94% of the participating surgeons indicated that they would continue to use MIPS and 87% reported that they believe the new surgical technique provides further benefits for patients2. “Tissue preservation has been a great improvement for patients. With MIPS, the cosmetic outcomes are even better,” said Malou Hultcrantz, Professor, MD, PhD of Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institute, Sweden.

Post-operative patient response to the new surgical procedure was overwhelmingly positive. One patient, a 48-year-old Network Manager from the UK, reported, “The healing time was incredible. There was very little discomfort, very little pain, no mess, mint. Absolutely brilliant! Now it just sits there seamless. It is almost like it doesn’t exist.”

A large multi-center randomized control clinical trial of MIPS is ongoing under the lead of Prof. Stokroos and his team at Maastricht UMC+. The results of the trial are expected during 2016. Based on the initial experience and the training of the surgeons, Prof. Stokroos reported that the new MIPS technique is a clear, simple and fast surgical procedure that is easy to learn. With no need for sutures, and no incision scar, the single-stage MIPS provides favorable cosmetic results3.

Partners in Hearing – for Life

MIPS is recommended for adult patients with normal bone quality and bone thickness above 3 mm, where no complications during surgery are expected. MIPS may also be suitable for children with normal bone quality and bone thickness above 4 mm, typically 12 years or older4.

“Oticon Medical is committed to remaining at the forefront of advances in patient-centered solutions that extend the potential for treatment and successful outcomes for patients,” said Jes Olsen. “We aim to be a lifelong partner to our patients by continuing to provide quality solutions that improve quality of life now and in the future.”

For more information about Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery, visit Oticon Medical’s website where MIPS information can find and the following link:
www.oticonmedical.com/mipsvideo

References:
1. Johansson M, Holmberg M, Hultcrantz M. (2014). “Bone anchored hearing implant surgery with tissue preservation– A systematic literature review,” Oticon Medical white paper, M52107. 2. Johansson, M. L. and Holmberg, M. (2015) “Design and clinical evaluation of MIPS – A new perspective on tissue preservation”, Oticon Medical white paper M52425. 3. Calon, T., Johansson, M. L., and Holmberg, M. (2015). “First RCT of a Novel Minimally Invasive BCHI Surgical Technique.” Oral presented at the Osseo, Lake Louise, Canada, May 2015. 4. M52188 Addendum to Surgical Manual (Oticon Medical)

Oticon Medical Ponto BHX Implant 4mm

Copenhagen, DK November 30 — Oticon Medical introduces the Ponto BHX

Implant, the first implant with a laser-ablated titanium surface that promotes a faster and stronger bonding to bone and increases the strength of the bone-to- implant interface by more than 150%.1 The FDA-cleared Ponto BHX Implant is a perfect match between Oticon Medical’s proven OptiGrip™ geometry and the latest surface technology, taking osseointegration to the next level – bone bonding – and delivering the highest stability from day one.2,3

“The unique Biohelix™ surface is the outcome of the latest research from world-leading experts of osseointegration in Gothenburg, Sweden,” says Oticon Medical President Jes Olsen. “By building on Brånemark osseointegration technology’s 40 years of excellent clinical results, we aim to improve clinical outcomes in patients with soft or compromised bone as well as offer increased implant stability margins for regular patients.”

Stronger than Bone, Highest Stability

The new Ponto BHX implant builds on the proven OptiGrip geometry. The Wide Ponto implant with OptiGrip™ geometry has the highest level of initial stability of all bone anchored implants.2,3 Ponto BHX implants improve the biomechanical fixation even further and, at the same time, promote a faster and stronger bonding to the bone.1

Biohelix™ – First Laser-Ablated Titanium Surface

An innovative site-specific laser modification at the roots of the threads of the OptiGrip™ geometry creates a three level surface topography matching the natural bone structure at the macro-, micro- and nano-scale promoting bone-bonding and interface strength. In fact, the bone bonding to the BHX Implant is stronger than bone itself.1 The enhanced osseointegration provided by the Biohelix surface offers additional benefit, aiming to lower the loss rate among children and adults with soft and compromised bone.

Ponto Abutments Pre-Mounted with BHX Implant

The flexible Ponto abutment family pre-mounted with the Ponto BHX implant is ideal for use in minimally invasive surgery. Oticon Medical offers the most extensive family of abutments supporting different skin thicknesses. All abutments have a pure titanium surface and the revolutionary OptiFit™ geometry, scientifically proven for tissue preservation surgery.4,5 “

The new Ponto BHX Implant is an excellent example of how Oticon Medical innovation creates new benefits and exciting synergies with our proven products,” says Olsen. “We want people to know that when they choose Oticon Medical, they are choosing a company that will continue to provide innovative solutions that improve quality of life now and in the future.”

For more information about the Ponto BHX Implant and the entire family of Ponto abutment family, visit www.oticonmedical.com/bhx

(1) Johansson M L, et. al., “Site-specific laser modification promotes higher osseointegration of titanium implants”. Presented at Osseo, Lake Louise, Canada, May 2015. (2) Foghsgaard S, Caye-Thomasen P, “A new wide-diameter bone-anchored hearing implant-prospective 1-year data on complications, implant stability, and survival,” Otol Neurotol, 35(7), pp. 1238-41, 2014. (3) Westerkull & Jinton (2012) Initial ISQ values measured in pre-clinical tests in artificial bone (4) Singam S, Williams R, Saxby C, Houlihan F P, “Percutaneous bone-anchored hearing implant surgery without soft-tissue reduction: Up to 42 months of follow-up, “Otol Neurotol, 35(9), pp. 1596-1600, 2014. (5) Johansson M, Holmberg M, Hultcrantz M, “Bone anchored hearing implant surgery with tissue preservation– A systematic literature review,” Oticon Medical white paper, M52107, 2014.

Krissia Lopez Romero, born with BMA, a recipient of (2) new Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices with streaming device on October 28th, 2015 thanks to the Ear Community Organization.

Meet Krissia Lopez Romero. Krissia is a beautiful little eight year old girl who was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia. While Krissia was born in El Salvador, she now lives with her family in Falls Church, Virginia (USA). Unfortunately, since Krissia was born in El Salvador, she does not qualify for Medicaid and her family has been unable to help her obtain hearing devices through Kaiser Permanente that could help her hear better. In addition to Krissia’s Microtia and Atresia, she also has severe scoliosis and complex heart conditions that limit her activities. In fact, Krissia is due for another heart procedure soon.

Thankfully, Krissia has been able to borrow two bone conduction hearing devices that have been provided by her school along with an FM system. However, the hearing devices must remain at school and sadly Krissia goes home deaf everyday. Communication for Krissia has been a struggle. Her mother, Claudia Romero, worries about her speech development and she worries about her safety when Krissia is at home and with her in public without the help of hearing devices.

Luckily, someone was watching out for Krissia! Krissia’s audiologists knew about the Ear Community Organization. One of Krissia’s medical professionals helped her apply to Ear Community as Krissia’s family is Spanish speaking only. On October 28^th, 2015, Krissia was awarded and fitted with two brand new Ponto Plus bone conduction hearing devices that were donated by Oticon Medical through the Ear Community Organization. Thank you to Nicole Benlizar, Krissia’s case manager from Kaiser Permanente of Fairfax County, who was a great help in helping with translating for the family to Ear Community and to Krissia’s audiologists for appointments. Thank you to Dr. Colby Glidewell (audiologist) of Kaiser Permanente of Tyson’s Corner hearing clinic for donating her time and services to help fit and program Krissia’s new Oticon Medical bone anchored hearing systems. Thank you especially to Oticon Medical for donating the two new Ponto Plus hearing devices to Krissia. Krissia would not be hearing today and so much better at home and in public if it were not for Oticon Medical.

Krissia’s case manager, Nicole said “Thank you a million times. When [Krissia’s] mom called she was literally in tears because it allowed her daughter to hear and see a joy of hope that she never experienced before [outside of the classroom].” In following up with Krissia’s family, we are told that Krissia is enjoying wearing her new Ponto Plus hearing devices and that she is more confident at home during family conversations.

A very special thank you to Alan Raffauf, Vice President of Marketing for Oticon Medical US, for choosing to donate the new Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices w/streamer to Ear Community so that they could be donated to Krissia to help her hear better outside of the school classroom. Thank you for everyone’s support and for helping Ear Community continue with its mission of helping individuals with Microtia and Atresia. Oticon Medical believes in helping individuals with hearing loss so that they can live a better quality of life. Oticon Medical is a well respected international hearing device manufacturer that is a part of the “William Demant Group [which has] 100-plus years of experience in audiology and sound processing and established manufacturing and logistics infrastructure.”

“We are so happy that we could help Krissia hear better around the clock so she can now live the life she was meant to live and enjoy being a happy little eight year old outside of school too,” says Melissa Tumblin, Founder of Ear Community.  Thank you to everyone who was involved in making this all possible for Krissia to obtain her hearing devices.

Thank you from all of us at Ear Community!
Melissa Tumblin (Founder and Executive Director)
and
Ear Community Board Members
www.EarCommunity.org

Oticon Focus on People

Camilla Gilbert of Cincinnati, Ohio is among the outstanding individuals with hearing loss honored by the 2015 Oticon Focus on People Awards, a national competition that celebrates individuals who are helping to eliminate negative stereotypes of what it means to have a hearing loss.  As the First Place Winner in the Advocacy Category, Camilla was honored at a special awards ceremony at Oticon, Inc. US headquarters in Somerset, New Jersey on October 8. More than 120 hearing care professionals from across the US attended the event to celebrate Camilla’s achievements. As part of her award, Camilla has designated the non-profit Ear Community as her choice for a $1,000 donation from Oticon, Inc.

More than 10,000 votes were cast by people from across the country to help determine who among the 12 finalists would be the 2015 first, second and third place winners in the Adult, Student, Practitioner and Advocacy categories.

Camilla was born with bilateral microtia, a congenital condition in which the ears do not fully develop and which can result in hearing loss.  As a child, she was fitted with a bone anchored hearing solution that she covered with a headband every day until age 26 when she found information about her condition and much needed support in the non-profit Ear Community. Today, the young girl who hid her hearing loss from the world is a confident adult who educates and advocates for others with hearing loss. Camilla serves on the committee for the Ear Community’s Microtia and Atresia Support Group and is a past president of Southwest Ohio chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America.

“Individuals like Camilla are inspiring role models for people living with hearing loss,” states Oticon President Peer Lauritsen. “The remarkable people who are honored in this year’s Oticon Focus on People Awards program have taken their unique circumstances and transformed their lives with a positive outlook that has enabled them to overcome challenges and accomplish goals well beyond what many thought possible.”

Peer Lauritsen, President of Oticon, pictured with Camilla Gilbert, Ear Community Board Member and winner of the Focus on People Award for outstanding advocacy.

The Oticon Focus on People Awards program was created in 1997 by Oticon, Inc., one of the world’s oldest and most respected hearing instrument manufacturers.  By celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of individuals with hearing loss, Oticon, Inc. aims to call attention to common misconceptions about hearing loss and motivate people with hearing loss to take advantage of the help that is available to them.   The company’s goal is to reach out to the 80 percent of an estimated 28 million Americans who could benefit from hearing solutions, but who fail to seek professional help.

“The Ear Community Organization is proud to have Camilla Gilbert as one of our board members,” says Melissa Tumblin.  “Camilla, has been a member of Ear Community’s online support group, the Microtia and Atresia Support Group on Facebook, for the past four years, helping members understand more about Microtia and Atresia as an adult in the same situation.  Camilla was also Ear Community’s first college scholarship recipient  and since then has gone on to further her education with a degree in social work.  “Thank you for being a part of Ear Community in so many ways Camilla!…. from someone searching for support to becoming a support group member offering support to others now and to becoming an Ear Community board member.”  “Thank you also for selecting the Ear Community Organization as the charity organization of your choice to receive $1,000.00 (USD) from Oticon so that our organization can continue to help even more individuals born with Microtia and Atresia in need.”  “The Ear Community Organization is honored to receive this donation!”  Thank you very much to Oticon for making these funds possible for organizations such as Ear Community and for individuals like Camilla, so that we can continue advocating with our voices, helping individuals in the same situation, everywhere.”  – Melissa Tumblin, Founder of Ear Community

Read the inspirational stories of all 12 winners of the Oticon Focus on People Awards here  and the following link is where you can hear Camilla’s thank you speech, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTtJTMQk6t4&feature=youtu.be

October 6, 2015, Lebo Pretty Ndladla wearing her new Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices with her new Oticon Medical monkey, Massie

Meet Lebo Pretty Ndladla from Shongwe Mission in South Africa.  Little Lebo is 6 years old and was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia including Treacher Collins Syndrome.  While Lebo is surrounded by much love from her family in the small village they live in, Lebo still  struggles to hear her family and friends communicating and to hear all of the sounds that surround her everyday.

Through a radio broadcast, Lebo’s mother, Xolisile Mgwenya, heard about a nonprofit organization in South Africa, called the Give An Ear Foundation that helps children born with Microtia and Atresia.  Pretty’s family made contact with Viola Nwadike, the Founder of the Give An Ear Foundation, and asked for help for Lebo.  Viola was familiar with the Ear Community Organization in the United States and knew how Ear Community also helps children born with Microtia and Atresia from all over the world obtain hearing devices.  And…. so Viola applied on behalf of Lebo in hopes of helping her hear better.  Through the help and commitment of both the Give An Ear Foundation and the Ear Community Organization, both nonprofits were able to find help for Lebo, together.  The Ear Community Organization and Give an Ear Foundation contacted Tanya Hanekom of the South African Association for Audiologists (SAAA) who made the necessary arrangements for free hearing tests and programming of the donated hearing devices.

On Wednesday, October 6th of 2015, little Lebo and her mother,  Xolisile, traveled with Viola Nwadike to the Lowveld Hearing Centre in White River and Nelspruit to receive Lebo’s new Oticon Medical hearing devices that were donated through the Ear Community Organization.  Ear Community wishes to thank  Nizha Ford and Cathy Flores (Audiologists) for donating their time and services to help fit and program Lebo’s newly donated Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices and streaming device.  Kaylini Naidoo of Oticon Medical traveled from Johannesburg as well to be a part of this amazing day for Lebo bringing with her the new Ponto Plus hearing devices, a stuffed monkey that also wears an Oticon Medical Ponto Plus, and some fun treats.

When Lebo arrived at Lowveld Hearing Centre in Nelspruit, she was understandably nervous and overwhelmed at all the eager faces excited to help her. Following the hearing tests Lebo’s new Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices were clipped onto a soft band and put on her head. As the devices were turned on Pretty’s face lit up and the sheer jubilation at hearing her mother say her name brought the room to tears. Her reaction was priceless and her mother’s emotional response at hearing her child say her own name was indescribable.  In a lovely story that was released by the Lowveld Hearing Center it was said that “There is no greater gift than the gift of giving.  A little girl from Shongwe’s life was changed thanks to the determination and co-ordinated efforts of Give an Ear Foundation, The Ear Community Organization, Oticon Medical, the SAAA, and the audiologists at Lowveld Hearing Centre.”  Lebo’s family last updated everyone letting us know that Lebo is enjoying wearing her new Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices so much that she does not want to take her sound processors off.  Lebo will soon need to start with speech therapy for aural rehabilitation to help her learn to communicate effectively and to make the most of her new found hearing abilities.

A very special thank you to Alan Raffauf, Vice President of Marketing for Oticon Medical US, for choosing to donate the new Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices w/streamer to Ear Community so that they could be donated to little Lebo to help her hear better from here on out. Thank you for everyone’s support and for helping Ear Community continue with its mission of helping individuals with Microtia and Atresia. Oticon Medical believes in helping individuals with hearing loss so that they can live a better quality of life. Oticon Medical is a well respected international hearing device manufacturer that is a part of the “William Demant Group [which has] 100-plus years of experience in audiology and sound processing and established manufacturing and logistics infrastructure.”

Thank you again to everyone who was involved in helping change little Lebo’s life this week!  The Ear Community Organization is also excited for Lebo and her family to attend Ear Community’s Microtia and Atresia family picnic that will take place this Sunday in Johannesburg.  The Ear Community Microtia and Atresia picnic will be the very first of its kind to bring families and medical professionals together in South Africa in support of loved ones with Microtia and Atresia.  “This week has been an amazing week,” says Melissa Tumblin, Founder of Ear Community.  “Not only did the Ear Community Organization have the opportunity to help Lebo hear better thanks to the friendships and partnerships our organization has in South Africa, but I am also very excited for Lebo’s family to attend our Ear Community Microtia and Atresia picnic this Sunday so that Lebo can meet many other children who are just like her.    I look forward to hearing all about our Ear Community picnic this weekend!”
– Melissa Tumblin

Here’s to not missing a beat Lebo….everyone is so happy for you to be hearing so much better now!  You deserve to hear sweet girl.  Here is also a video link of Lebo’s mother crying tears of joy when Lebo repeated her name back to her:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAf0dQx_atU&feature=youtu.be

Thank you,
Melissa Tumblin
Founder and Executive Director
and Ear Community Board Members
Ear Community
www.EarCommunity.org

A Guide for Making Informed Decisions for Bone Anchored Hearing Systems

Oticon Medical logo

Selecting the hearing solution that’s right for you or your child requires research and understanding of the technology that makes each solution unique. While audiologists, ENTs and doctors can help guide you, it’s important to understand your options and advocate for what you want and need.

A Bone Anchored Hearing System (BAHS) is an amazing life improvement that brings new sound into your world. Whether you experience the feeling for yourself, or it’s for someone you love, choosing the right solution is important. The key is that you have a choice, and when you have a choice, it’s best to make an informed decision.

We want you to be armed with as much information as possible. With multiple BAHS options on the market, our community members have found different systems effective for their unique situations. One of these is the Ponto System from Oticon Medical.

Not only are there different products, there are different types of implants. For instance, a direct drive solution sends vibrations via a direct route to the bone. That’s different from a skin drive, which sends vibrations through the skin and then to the bone. Depending on your specific condition, certain solutions work better than others.

Ponto and Magnetic Device Sound Quality Research

Physical facts with skin drive solutions: These devices have lower output in the mid to high frequency region.

Again, we want to arm you with the information you need. Here’s a great guide from Oticon Medical about the different options. All you have to do is enter your email address, and you’ll get a free download of their Informed Decisions guide.

The guide covers:
The different types of bone conduction devices, and what each mean for you
What types of sounds you can hear at different frequencies
Solutions that are best for children

Click here to get the “Informed Decisions” guide from Oticon Medical.

*  This information is meant to be helpful and educational and is intended to help BAHS  users and  individuals considering becoming bone anchored users learn more about bone conduction hearing device technology and how these hearing devices work.  The more you learn will help you better understand your hearing loss and what options you have for aiding your hearing loss with a BAHS.  For more information about the Oticon Medical Ponto series of sound processors, please visit:  www.oticonmedical.com

Course #26259

Oticon Medical logo

On Tuesday, October 13th, 2015, at 12 noon EDT, a live accredited online webinar will be offered to Audiologists and hearing device dispensers.  This course is FREE to the public and to any individuals or families who are interested in learning more about the Oticon Medical Ponto Plus BAHS (Bone Anchored Hearing System) and how two parents describe the decision process for helping make the decision to aid their children with the Ponto Plus hearing device.

*  CEUs/Hours Offered: ACAud/1.0; ASHA/0.1 Intermediate, Professional; BAA/1.0; CAA/1.0; IHS/1.0; Kansas DHE, LTS-S0035/1.0; NZAS/1.0; SAC/1.0
Under Review: AAA/0.1 Intermediate

Course Abstract
Melissa Tumblin and Ann Pipes are both mothers to children who use bone anchored hearing systems. Melissa’s daughter Alyssa (Ally) wears the Oticon Medical Ponto Plus on a softband. Ann’s son, Winslow, made his own decision to have surgery to wear his bilateral Ponto Pluses on abutments as implants. Join Melissa and Ann as they talk about how they’ve approached the decision making process around bone anchored hearing systems for their children.

Time-ordered Agenda

Liz Presson

Liz Presson
Digital Media & Community Experience
Liz Presson leads digital media and community strategy at Oticon Medical, the company pioneering hearing implant technology. Over the last two years, she’s built an online community and digital presence with a following of more than 10,000 passionate community members and advocates. She’s worked with the team at Oticon Medical to empower advocates who act as real-time content creators. Oticon Medical has received recognition for its digital media initiatives from one of the world’s most admired social media and technology influencers, Guy Kawasaki. Liz’s articles on digital media and technology have been published in Fast Company, Forbes, Mashable, Yahoo and others.

Melissa Tumblin

Melissa Tumblin
Founder and Executive Director of the Ear Community
Melissa Tumblin is mom to Alyssa “Ally” Tumblin, a child born with right sided Microtia and Aural Atresia.  She is the Founder and Executive Director of Ear Community, a nonprofit organization that promotes education and public awareness about microtia and atresia.  She is also the founder of the Microtia and Atresia Support Group on Facebook.  She is a past board member for the Hands & Voices Organization and a past council member for the Parent Advocacy Family Council for Children’s Hospital Colorado (Bill Daniels Center for Children’s Hearing).  She has spoken at microtia and atresia surgical conferences and has presented at past EAA (Educational Audiology Association) conferences and for AudiologyOnline.  Melissa has 15 years of medical device marketing experience marketing electrosurgical devices and laparoscopic instruments.

Ann Pipes

Ann Pipes
Founding Board Member of Little Ears Hearing Center
Ann Pipes is mom to Winslow Pipes, a child with a bilateral severe to moderate loss due to Pierre Robin Sequence and Stickler Syndrome. She is a founding board member of Little Ears Hearing Center, a non-profit pediatric audiology clinic in Louisville, Kentucky. She has been trained as a parent advocate through the Family Information Network on Disabilities (FIND) and has also worked as a Guide by Your Side through the Kentucky chapter of Hands & Voices. She has spoken on parent panels for both Kentucky Hands & Voices as well as panels sharing parent perspectives and concerns with University of Louisville audiology students as part of their required course work.

Please click here to register for this course…
This course is sponsored by Oticon Medical and is being offered through AudiologyOnline.