Meet Krystyl Wooten from San Jose, California! Krystyl was born with Microtia and Aural Atresia of her right ear. She is excited to embark on her college career through William Jessup University with an anticipation graduation date in 2025! While growing up, Krystyl says she has experienced some difficult times like not being able to hear people correctly or being bullied because of having Microtia, but she has found joys in having a little ear such as being able to fall asleep with her Microtia ear up to the world giving her some peace and silence while she sleeps having the opportunity to cancel out noises.

Krystyl says her mom, Elia, is her rock! On the tough days when Krystyl is struggling with self confidence, she says her mom is always there for her, still encouraging her to show the world who she is. You see, Kyrstyl’s mom, Elia, was also born with Microtia and Atresia. It is nice to know someone in the same situation – that you can talk to who truly understands what you are going through. On any other given day, Krystyl is always looking for an adventure and is excited to try new things. Some of Krystyl’s joys are praising Jesus and praising him in music and song. Krystyl sings all day, everyday from the moment she wakes up until falling asleep. She also enjoys playing piano every chance she gets! Krystyl enjoys being outgoing and caring and always enjoys finding happiness and smiles in everyone!

Knowing that Krystyl has a God-given talent for music, she was accepted to William Jessup University’s music program with an emphasis in worship. Krystyl actively sings and plays for her church when she is not in class. When she thinks about her future, she is interested in possibly becoming a missionary or a planner for a church music department – maybe even teaching and writing music and helping with mixes with recording studios.

A special thank you to Brent Newcomb, President of Ecofin, and the Board of Directors at Ecofin Investments, for making this scholarship possible for Ear Community to shine on some of it’s beautiful community members like Krystyl.

We are so proud of Krystyl! We look forward to the beautiful musical talent that Krystyl will continue to show our world! Most of all, congratulations to Krystyl for being strong and powering on! It is strength like this that often helps many others who are not strong enough. We believe God has big plans for you, Krystyl! Keep powering on and making a difference in our world and good luck in college! You’ll do amazing things!
– Ear Community
www.EarCommunity.org

Meet Willard! Willard was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia and lives in Savannah, Georgia. Willard is 63 years old and has struggled all of his life with hearing loss. After visiting with an Otolaryngologist in 2020, he was informed about a bone anchored hearing device and how this hearing device could be surgically implanted to help him hear. Since Willard was struggling to hear, he was happy to learn about this option. Unfortunately, while Willard is not ready to be surgically implanted at this time, he still wanted to hear better with the hearing device being worn on his head. Since Willard cannot benefit from a traditional hearing aid, he asked his hearing clinic for help. Unfortunately, Willard’s insurance provider denied coverage for a bone anchored hearing device on a soft band head band. Willard’s current audiologist, Dr. Casey Allen, also tried to apply through Georgia’s state Medicaid program to help Willard as he is on a fixed income, but sadly Georgia’s Medicaid program also denied his claim to hear better.

Thankfully, Dr. Allen had heard about the Ear Community Organization! Dr. Allen went above and beyond helping Willard fill out his application (Willard has poor vision) to apply to our organization for help obtaining a bone anchored hearing aid so he could hear. Dr. Allen explained to Willard that Cochlear Americas has a hearing device that could help him hear better called the Baha 6 Max! When Ear Community’s board of directors received Willard’s application for a hearing device, everyone was happy to help Willard hear and voted yes on his application to help this gentleman obtain a Baha!

During the month of August, Willard was fitted with his newly donated Baha 6 Max from Cochlear Americas! A special thank you to Dr. Casey Allen for donating her time and services to help fit and program Willard’s new Baha 6 Max and for helping him with his application. Thank you to Keesha Pfeiffer of Cochlear Americas for helping donate Willard’s Baha 6 Max to our Ear Community Organization so we could help someone in need like Willard! Ear Community is so proud to collaborate with Cochlear Americas when coming together to help individuals who are in need within the Microtia and Atresia community. “Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. It has a dedicated global team of more than 2,500 people who deliver the gift of sound to those with hearing loss in over 100 countries. Its vision is to connect people, young and old, to a world of sound by offering life enhancing hearing solutions. In 2013, Cochlear celebrated 100,000 Baha System users – all with unique stories of how being able to hear again has impacted their lives. The Cochlear promise of “Hear Now. And Always” embodies the company’s commitment to providing its recipients with the best possible hearing performance today and for the rest of their lives.”

Everyone at Ear Community is happy that Willard will be able to hear so much better now!
Ear Community
www.EarCommunity.org

Meet Owen Poling, a Chinese-American from Lancaster, Ohio! Owen graduated from Bloom-Carroll High School this past May and is looking forward to attending Albion College this fall in Michigan. Owen was born with Microtia and Atresia of his right ear. In Owen’s application letter, he spoke about growing up over the years and enduring stares from the public. He expressed how much the stares hurt him and how angry this made him –  realizing that people thought that just by staring at his ear would do no harm to him.

One night while watching TV with his parents, the topic of ear surgery came up. Even though Owen was old enough for ear reconstructive surgery, he felt that something was holding him back from making this decision. Owen’s parents reminded him how much he is loved! Owen also realized that this is who he is and that by changing how he looks would not help others or himself. This was the night that Owen decided he was not changing how he looks! Embracing his smaller ear, he decided that he would keep his ear just the way it was in hopes of helping others just like him know that it is okay to be unique.

Over the years, Owen has come to believe that thanks to the many public stares and questions asked, they have helped him become a stronger person. Owen plans on majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology at Albion College, earning his bachelors in science degree. He plans to continue on to graduate school, becoming a genetic counselor.  Owen realizes that thanks to experiencing life with his congenital little ear, this has created a fascination in him for genetics and biotechnology, such as gene editing.

Owen is thankful for the decision he made that night with his parents, while watching TV. He hopes to help others just like him know that you can still be strong and achieve your goals in life while being unique. Owen says he will continue to inhale faith and exhale fear as he continues on his journey.

A special thank you to Brent Newcomb, President of Ecofin, and the Board of Directors at Ecofin Investments, for making this scholarship possible for Ear Community to shine on some of it’s beautiful community members like Owen.

We are so proud of Owen! We look forward to the positive change that Owen will bring for so many others with his future career in genetics! Most of all, congratulations to Owen for being accepting and loving of himself and embracing his unique little ear. You have a bright future ahead of you, Owen!

Congratulations, Owen! Do great things!
The Ear Community Organization
https://earcommunity.org/events/great-memories/

Leonardo Torales, Oticon Medical Ponto 4 recipient, May 2021, Denver, CO.

Meet Leonardo, a sweet 4-year-old that lives in Denver, Colorado. Leo was born with Microtia and Aural Atresia of his left ear. After Leo didn’t pass his newborn hearing screening, it was suggested to his mother, Yocelin, that he would hear better with a bone anchored hearing device. When he was a baby, Yocelin tried a loaner bone anchored hearing aid on him but decided to wait a bit longer until he was older, as she struggled to keep the hearing device on Leo at first. Now that Leo has started preschool, Leo trialed a loaner bone anchored hearing device again and this time he loved it! Yocelin noticed Leo choosing to wear this loaner hearing device every day and that he really seemed to understand better when he wears it! Yocelin said she even began receiving compliments from Leo’s teachers on how good he was doing in preschool!

Now realizing how much Leo was benefiting from wearing a hearing device, Yocelin was ready to apply for a BAHA through her insurance provider. Even though the state of Colorado has hearing device insurance coverage in place, unfortunately, when Yocelin went to apply for a BAHA for Leo with their audiologist, her insurance provider denied their claim for a BAHA – stating that they do not cover hearing aids. This was with Leo even being a patient at the Children’s Hospital here in Colorado! Following an appeal with Yocelin’s insurance provider and speaking with her employer about their coverage plan, Yocelin was still denied being told that they do not cover hearing aids, period.

After finding out how much a bone anchored hearing device would cost out of pocket for Leo, Yocelin was heart was broken. “As much as I want him to have this device, I cannot afford it and it breaks my heart that I can’t provide this for him,” said Yoselin. “I have other financial responsibilities that I need to take care of, a mortgage payment, car insurance, utility bills, groceries, etc…” Thankfully, Yocelin found our Ear Community Organization and applied for a bone anchored hearing device for Leo! Ear Community was able to help Yocelin obtain a Ponto 4 bone anchored hearing aid from Oticon Medical through our organization along with the help of Leo’s audiologists, Dr. Lauren Charles and Dr. Kristen Adkisson, donating their time and services to fit and program Leo with his newly donated bone anchored hearing aid!

Thank you to Yocelin for advocating for Leo and making sure that he can hear. Yocelin says that Leo now “reminds her to put on his “speaker” and wants it placed on his head right away before leaving the house to head off to school.” Yocelin is grateful and filled with joy because she knows Leo is hearing so much better now and loves that he is making new friends at school.

A very special thank you to Alan Raffauf, Vice President of Marketing and Operations of Oticon Medical US, and to Beverly Ostrowski, Director of Customer Service for Oticon Medical US, for donating a Ponto 4 to the Ear Community Organization so Leo could receive the gift of hearing and thrive. 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. Ear Community would also like to thank our donors and members of the community who want to help our organization continue our work – none of this would be possible without your support! We are so happy to have been a part of helping Allan hear better!

Everyone at Ear Community is excited to see Leo thrive in school while hearing his best now with his new Ponto! It’s stories like this that back why we needed to have legislation introduced like Ally’s Act, H.R. 477 and S. 41. We hope that Ally’s Act passes so that no child or adult continues to be denied the right to hear when trying to gain access to hearing devices like bone anchored hearing aids and cochlear implants. Please support Ally’s Act by taking 2 minutes to write to your local lawmakers at the following link by asking them to cosponsor this bill: https://www.votervoice.net/EveryLife/1/campaigns/80211/respond  Please also consider scheduling a Zoom meeting with your lawmakers too to discuss this bill and help them understand why this bill matters to you!

Thank you from all of us at Ear Community!
www.EarCommunity.org

In collaboration,The Brånemark Osseointegration Center together with Neoss and supported by The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) and The European Association for Osseointegration (EAO) are proud to present the 1st Global Osseointegration Day, which honors Per-Ingvar Brånemark, father of osseointegration, and will be held annually on his birthday, May 3rd.

May 3rd is meant to bring awareness to the technology and the treatment of bone anchored hearing devices. May 3rd is also the birthday of Per-Ingvar Brånemark, a Swedish physician and research professor who is known as father of osseointegration and the godfather of bone anchored hearing, because his discoveries enabled the development of today’s bone conduction hearing devices. We look forward to embracing May 3rd, every year, as a celebration of bone anchored hearing technology and bring awareness to the technology and the treatment of bone anchored hearing devices.

Ally Tumblin writing her letter to Congressman Joe Neguse, May 2019.

Please help make Ally’s Act the law, H.R. 477 and S. 41

Two years ago, during May 2019, Ally Tumblin, wrote a letter to Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO) during Better Hearing and Speech Month as part of a community homework assignment, explaining how the hearing device she hears with is often not covered by private insurance companies. She explained that lots of kids and adults just like her need a bone anchored hearing aid to hear. Ally asked Congressman Neguse to help her advocate to hear better. Well, Congressman Neguse received Ally’s letter and he listened to Ally and wrote her back agreeing to stand by her side and help her advocate to hear better. In fact, just months later, Congressman Neguse introduced a piece of legislation that would help Ally and so many others just like her who require the use of bone anchored hearing aids, including children and adults who require the use of cochlear implants as well! Congressman Neguse introduced Ally’s Act, H.R. 5485, named after Ally for her bravery for standing up for the D/HH community and for being such an inspiration. Last year, Ally’s Act was also introduced to the Senate as S. 4532.

On January 27th, 2021 Ally’s Act was reintroduced to the House, known as H.R. 477. Our original co-sponsors, Congressman David McKinley (R-W.VA) and Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), both co-chairs for the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus, co-sponsored Ally’s Act again in full support of this piece of legislation. This bill is near and dear to the hearts of many who support Ally’s Act. Congressman Neguse imagined how this would affect him if this were his daughter struggling to hear just like Ally. Congressman McKinley is the only cochlear implant user in all of Congress and his grandson wears a bone anchored hearing aid just like Ally. Ally’s Act was also re-introduced to the Senate during January and is co-led by original co-sponsors Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R- W.VA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MASS). Our new Senate bill number for Ally’s Act is S. 41. Ally’s Act is also near and dear to Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s heart as she works along side Congressman McKinley and knows of his struggles with his hearing loss and yet how he has managed to become such an influential law maker for the D/HH community thanks to hearing device technology like cochlear implants. Ally’s Act also matters to Senator Elizabeth Warren as she has supported the D/HH community for years by helping with legislation that would help improve audiology services and passing a bill to help with over the counter (OTC) opportunities for better access to traditional hearing aids.

Ally’s Act, H.R. 477 and S. 41 are bipartisan/bicameral national level bills that were re-introduced on January 25th, 2021 ensuring that private insurance companies provide coverage for osseointegrated hearing devices (OIDs), including Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA) and Cochlear Implants (CI), for children and adults birth to age 64, including services, upgrades, surgery and associated costs that come along with these devices. If Ally’s Act becomes the law, this bill would help hundreds of thousands of children and adults have access to life changing treatment, allowing them to live the lives they dream, participate in the workplace and community and enjoy a high quality of life.

Please help us make Ally’s Act the law! It takes just 2 minutes to click the following link and write to your local Congressmen and Senators, asking them to support Ally’s Act, H.R. 477 and S. 41. https://www.votervoice.net/EveryLife/1/campaigns/80211/respond

Ally’s Act One-Pager Mar2021 lists background on Ally’s Act, H.R. 477 and S. 41, along with our endorsers.

Here is an interview of Ally with Congressman Neguse and Senator Warren talking about why Ally’s Act, H.R. 477 and S. 41 is needed. Please click on the watch on YouTube icon on the bottom left to access this video in full screen.

We are asking everyone to not only write to your local lawmakers, asking them to co-sponsor Ally’s Act, but if you can contact your local lawmaker’s offices and ask them to schedule a Zoom meeting where you can help educate them on Ally’s Act and tell them why this bill is important to you and matters to your family, a friend or your loved one. After using the link above when writing to your local lawmakers, email Rachel or Melissa at Ear Community with your representative’s names and let us know that you would like to reach out asking them to set up a Zoom meeting and we will be on the Zoom meeting with you! Sometimes, letters are not enough and we need to get in front of our lawmakers, helping educate them about the legislation that matters most to us and why it is needed.
Melissa:  EarCommunity@gmail.com
Rachel:   EC.Rachel9@gmail.com

– The Baha 6 Max Sound Processor has a fitting range of up to 55 dB SNHL in the same small size as the industry’s current 45 dB devices.

– It is also the first bone conduction sound processor to offer direct streaming from Apple and Android devices, as well as many other new features.

– Processor is indicated for people with SSD (single-sided deafness), conductive or mixed hearing loss.

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News provided by

Cochlear Limited

Mar 08, 2021, 09:06 ET

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With a fitting range of up to 55 dB SNHL (sensorineural hearing level) in the same small size as current 45 dB devices¹, the Baha 6 Max is the first of its kind: a premium-power bone conduction sound processor designed for powerful hearing performance. The Baha 6 Max is also the first bone conduction sound processor to offer direct streaming from Apple® and Android™ devices.² Direct streaming from Apple devices has been available in the Baha 5 Sound Processor since 2015. The new processor provides additional power in the smallest form^1,3 and is designed to provide the most clear, rich and natural sound possible–reducing the need to choose between hearing performance and size.

Learn more about the Baha 6 Max Sound Processor: www.Cochlear.us/Baha6Max.  

Additional improvements of the Baha 6 Max over the previous generation Baha 5 Sound Processor include:

• New noise and feedback reduction features
• Frequency range up to 9.7 kHz
• Streamlined profile by up to 2 mm¹
• IP68-rating dust and water protection*
• 50 percent longer battery life⁴
• Baha Smart App compatibility with Apple Watch®⁵
• Child-friendly features, including LED indicator
• New mint color option for sound processor front

“We at Cochlear continue to be inspired by all our recipients who get to experience fulfilling, active lives full of connection, and we innovate new products to help enable their success,” said Tony Manna, President, Cochlear Americas. “As such with the Baha 6 Max, we have delivered a leap forward in bone conduction hearing technology, providing more power in the industry’s smallest bone conduction sound processor with greater connectivity and hearing features. Our goal with this new device is to continue bringing a hearing experience full of clear, rich and natural sound, while introducing new elements that aim to make great hearing an even more seamless part of everyday life.”

Further feature highlights

• Improved hearing in noise: Cochlear has more than 40 years of experience in bone conduction hearing solutions, and its market research shows most recipients want to improve their ability to hear in noisy environments.⁶

Research suggests extended bandwidth can improve recognition of high-frequency consonants in quiet and in noise⁷, so the new, high-powered Xidium™ platform in the Baha 6 Max features a frequency range of up to 9.7 kHz. In a study, participants using the Baha 6 Max showed a significant improvement in understanding speech in both quiet and noisy environments compared to the Baha 5 Sound Processor.⁸

Cochlear’s SmartSound™ iQ signal processing suite boasts new impulse noise reduction and improved feedback management. Along with other features such as the scene classifier and active gain adjustment, this advanced signal processing technology aims to deliver a clear signal, helping the user fully take in their surroundings. The Baha 6 Max showed a significant difference in terms of sound clarity (more than 35 percent improvement) and sound quality (more than 25 percent improvement) when compared with the Baha 5 Sound Processor.⁸

• More power: Usage data from market research suggests many users of bone conduction devices may be underfit, and therefore may benefit from additional dynamic hearing range⁶, which provides capacity should a person’s hearing loss worsen over time. The new BC Drive™ II transducer, which powers the Baha 6 Max, is twice as efficient than the BC Drive on the Baha 5 Sound Processor, delivering 7 dB more average maximum power.⁹
  
  
• Greater connectivity: In addition to being the first bone conduction sound processor with direct audio streaming from Android and Apple devices, the Baha 6 Max is compatible with the Baha Smart App and allows users to connect to an Apple Watch, so they can discreetly fine-tune their sound processor settings. The Smart App also offers additional options to personalize hearing, including the expanded three-band equalizer and settings to customize noise reduction.
  
  
• System readiness: The Baha 6 Max Sound Processor introduces system readiness for our expanding connected care portfolio.
  
  
• Designed with children in mind**: An LED indicator allows parents, clinicians and carers to be sure the processor is turned on and connected. The small size of the Baha 6 Max makes it a discreet solution for children and adults, and the new LowPro™ snap coupling even brings the device 2 mm closer to the head¹, so it sits closer to the head than other bone conduction devices. The Baha 6 Max is also designed to keep up with active children, with its IP68 dust- and water-protection rating. For clinicians, the new Baha Fitting Software 6.0 introduces new workflows to guide fittings, as well as options to customize settings to the child’s specific needs.

“The Baha 6 Max was designed as a direct response to the needs of patients who are looking for improved hearing performance in their hearing device but want the smallest device possible,” said Anna Anderström, Group Lead Bone Conduction Solutions, Cochlear Americas. “With an all-new transducer, we were able to increase the power output while keeping the size down. This is also a benefit to our pediatric population where early access to hearing is so important for language development.”

The Baha 6 Max Sound Processor, Baha Fitting Software 6.0 and Baha Smart App are already approved in Canada. The Baha 6 Max Sound Processor will be commercially available across the United States and Canada in the first half of 2021.

About Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)
Cochlear is the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. The company has a global workforce of more than 4,000 people and invests more than AUD$180 million each year in research and development. Products include cochlear implants, bone conduction implants and acoustic implants, which healthcare professionals use to treat a range of moderate to profound types of hearing loss.

Since 1981, Cochlear has provided more than 600,000 implantable devices, helping people of all ages, in more than 180 countries, to hear. www.cochlear.com/us

References

1. Land J. Comparison tech data Baha 6 Max, legacy and competition. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden. 2020; D1762475.
2. The Cochlear Baha 6 Max Sound Processor is compatible with Apple and Android devices. For compatibility information, visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility.
3. Hoffman J. Subjective evaluation of clear rich and natural sound. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden. 2020; D1788013.
4. In an average use case at similar prescriptions. Davidsson B. Technical Report: Battery autonomy in Baha 6 Max vs Baha 5. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden. 2020; D1770958.
5. The Cochlear Baha Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play.
6. Leung B. Technical Report: Baha 6 Max data analysis and correlation report. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden. 2020; D1772435.
7. Van Eeckhoutte M, Folkeard P, Glista D, Scollie S. Speech recognition, loudness, and preference with extended bandwidth hearing aids for adult hearing aid users. Int J Audiol. 2020;1-12.
8. Hua H. Baha 6 Max Home test CIR CBAS5779. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden. 2021; D1801512.
9. Bergs T. Technical Report: Performance comparison A1 vs A2 actuators. Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB, Sweden. 2020; D1770991.

* The Cochlear Baha 6 Max Sound Processor, with battery compartment excluded, is dust and water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. Refer to the relevant user guide for more information. Tested by the RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB.

** In the United States and Canada, the Baha Implant System is contraindicated in children below the age of 5.

Android, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

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.

© Cochlear Limited 2021. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Cochlear Limited

Related Links

http://www.Cochlear.com/US