Ear Community presents at the 8th International Congress on Bone Conduction Hearing and Related Technologies in Denver, Colorado

October 3, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Alyssa Tumblin of the Ear Community Organization, recipient of the 2023 Osseo Super HearO Award in Denver, CO (September 6-9).

Alyssa Tumblin of the Ear Community Organization, recipient of the 2023 Osseo Super HearO Award in Denver, CO (September 6-9).

September 6th-9th, 2023

What an exciting week being part of the 8th International Congress on Bone Conduction Hearing and Related Technologies that was hosted here in Denver, Colorado! Melissa Tumblin, the Founder of The Ear Community Organization, was one of the many educational presenters during the Congress on bone conduction hearing device technology. From ENTs and audiologists presenting on the latest research for managing hearing loss and hearing restoration to the leading hearing device technology companies representing the latest bone conduction hearing devices on the market (Bone Conduction Hearing, Cochlear, MED-EL and Oticon Medical), attendees traveled from all parts of the globe to be at this year’s international congress! As a guest speaker, Melissa shared about the tireless work the Ear Community Organization does for the microtia and aural atresia community, including genetic research, advocacy efforts, federal legislation the organization has in place known as Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439/S. 1135 and the need for bone conduction hearing devices and how grateful our community is for this technology that helps give our community members their lives back!

Alyssa Tumblin of Ear Community receiving the Super HEARo Award from Dr. Stephen Cass at the 2023 International Osseo Meeting in Denver, CO.

Alyssa Tumblin of Ear Community receiving the Super HEARo Award from Dr. Stephen Cass at the 2023 International Osseo Meeting in Denver, CO.

Melissa’s daughter, Alyssa “Ally”, who is the inspiration behind the organization, was presented with the Osseo Super HEARo Award by her ENT, Dr. Stephen Cass of the University of Colorado Health School of Medicine. Dr. Stephen Cass is a renowned Otolaryngologist/Neurotologist in the industry and had the honor of hosting the 8th International Osseo Congress in Denver. Dr. Cass did an amazing job organizing this international event! Congress events like Osseo not only give the global industry the opportunity to share about the latest in technology, but is a great reminder of why bone conduction technology is needed and the difference these hearing devices make for everyone! For many, bone conduction hearing devices are the only type of hearing devices children and adults can benefit from due to the specific hearing loss they may have. In Ally’s case and the reason why Congressman Joe Neguse introduced a Federal piece of legislation named after Ally, is that for many private insurers often deny coverage for these hearing devices when they are medically necessary, absolutely needed and recommended by audiologists and ENTs.

Dr. Stephen Cass awarding Alyssa Tumblin the Super HEARo Award at the International Osseo Meeting in Denver, CO.

Dr. Stephen Cass awarding Alyssa Tumblin the Super HEARo Award at the International Osseo Meeting in Denver, CO.

Bone conduction hearing devices give individuals the opportunity to continue living their lives in a vocal world by allowing them to thrive in their communities, go to school, have jobs and live the lives they dream. Without specific hearing technology like bone conduction, the children and adults in need of hearing cannot benefit from traditional hearing aids. A special thank you to Dr. Cass for recognizing Ally for all of her advocacy and work in the community when it comes to microtia and aural atresia! Thank you to Oticon Medical for also publishing a full sized add on Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439/S. 1135 in the Osseo directory and about the Oticon Medical Ponto bone conduction hearing device!

While at Osseo, we got to see a lot of industry friends and some amazing legends behind bone conduction technology in the hearing device field too! What an incredible honor it was to meet Professor Bo Håkansson – The Father of Bone Conduction and Professor Anders Tjellström who was The Ear-Nose-Throat surgeon who developed the surgical technique for bone conduction! We caught up with Geoff Ball from MED-EL again who is the inventor of the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE. Geoff has attended some of our Ear Community picnics here in the past and it is always great to see him! Also pictured is Ally’s amazing ENT, Dr. Stephen Cass! Thank you for honoring Ally with this Congress’ patient award at home here in Colorado! ❤ I must say that I like to include Ally along with all of the above list of legends as she is a little legend herself in the microtia and atresia community and also for the bone anchored hearing device industry! Thank you again to Dr. Cass for presenting Ally with the Super HEARo award during this International scientific meeting and for giving Ear Community the opportunity to be spotlighted for the work our organization does and the Advocacy efforts we work on alongside congress.

The Oticon Medical Global Team at the 2023 International Osseo Meeting in Denver, CO.

Melissa Tumblin and Dr. Carol Liu at the 2023 International Osseo Meeting in Denver, CO.

It was great seeing many of our industry partners and friends while at Osseo! We visited with Cochlear Americas at their booth learning more about Baha 6 and the Osia System! It was great catching up with Dig Howitt (President Australia HQ), Patti Trautwein (US Vice President), Ryan Lopez and Melissa Thompson (Product Managers), Melanie Chang (Marketing Manager) and Jim Byrd (Director of Reimbursement)! We caught up with the Oticon Medical team in their booth too sharing about the Ponto System and the excitement about the anticipated Sentio System at the time (now launched 2024). A special thank you to Justin Pfeiffer (Director of US Sales) for always wearing our cause’s blue microtia and atresia awareness wristband! Justin has worn our wristband for years, supporting our community and cause for microtia and atresia! ❤️ We caught up with many on the US, Danish, French and Swedish Teams including Krista Bramlet, GM of Oticon Medical US (at the time in 2023), along with Rene Govaerts – GM of Oticon Medical Europe, Sege Kriek – Product Specialist and Clinical Researcher with Oticon Medical, Steffen Vater – Director of Sales for Oticon Medical Europe and Brendalys Trinidad – Marketing at Oticon Medical US! It was great to see advocate, Angela Sabal, again too, whom I have known for the past 12 years! We spent some time in the MED-EL booth learning more about the BONEBRIDGE, SOUNDBRIDGE and ADHEAR bone conduction Systems! It was wonderful seeing John Sparacio again – President of MED-EL US and Geoff Ball – Inventor of the Vibrant SOUNDBRIDGE hearing device. Geoff is also a recipient of the SOUNDBRIDGE himself!  It was wonderful visiting with Corey Brackmann – Audiology Sales Representative,

Alyssa Tumblin with Dr. Luis Serrano at the 2023 International Osseo Meeting in Denver, CO.

Kevin Vukovich –  US Regional Director and Jake, one of MED-EL’s biomechanical engineers.I also learned about some new technology including finally getting the chance to meet some local and international friends in person in the medical field including Dr. Luis Serrano from Ecuador and Dr. Carol Liu from Texas Children’s Hospital, the audiology research team at the University of Miami and more! Dr. Serrano is a friend of mine who has embraced the research for microtia and atresia in Ecuador through is practice, AudioCentro, in Ecuador. Dr. Serrano and I have also worked on genetics research together for microtia. It was so wonderful to see Dr. Liu again from Texas! She has advocated for Ally’s Act, embraced National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day and runs an incredible microtia and atresia clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston! I was also able to finally meet some of the audiology research team from the University of Miami including Chief of Audiology – Dr. Hillary Snapp along with audiology professors Dr. Samantha Espinal and Dr. Chrisanda Sanchez, who cheered from the ballroom during Ear Community’s presentation when our support group (the Microtia and Atresia Support Group on FB) was mentioned!

It was a wonderful International Congress for everyone who attended!
Here are some great memories from the 8th International Congress on Bone Conduction Hearing and Related Technologies that was hosted here in Denver, Colorado.

Melissa Tumblin
Ear Community

 

 

Filed Under: Events, History

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

October 2, 2024 By Leave a Comment

How one family is giving back to the microtia and atresia community through Ear Community and the arts!

Finding Nemo Jr. children's play in Georgia (Thomaston Upson Art Council) 8/2024

Finding Nemo Jr. children’s play in Georgia during August 9th, 10th and 11th, 2024 with the Thomaston Upson Arts Council

 

 

 

 

 

Lauren and Paxton Hoyal during the Finding Nemo Jr. children's play at the Thomaston Upson Art Council in August, 2024.

Lauren and Paxton Hoyal during the Finding Nemo Jr. children’s play at the Thomaston Upson Art Council in Thomaston, Georgia, August, 2024.

 

 

Meet Lauren Hoyal! Lauren is the Children’s Art Director with the Thomaston Upson Arts Council (TUAC) in Georgia. Lauren had a vision of educating the community about a rare condition her son, Paxton, was born with. Paxton was born without one ear (microtia) and has hearing loss due to a missing ear canal (aural atresia). Lauren and her family immediately thought of “Finding Nemo” as something everyone could embrace and have a connection with if they are missing an ear – like Nemo’s fin. Filled with excitement, Lauren began planning for a children’s play called “Finding Nemo Jr.!”

As a member of the Board, Lauren shared in a community press release that “TUAC started something new this year called “Shows with a Purpose”. She explained that “We wanted to not only teach our summer campers about the show but also teach them life skills such as compassion and giving back. Although we are small, we can still make a difference! This year we are thrilled to support The Ear Community which is near and dear to my heart! As a community we raised $1000! That brings me to tears! Thank you so much for supporting Microtia and Atresia and bringing awareness! It is so important to teach our children that people who are unique and different deserve love!”

Finding Nemo Jr. showed over three nights on August 9th, 10th and 11th, bringing together over 500 community members with a cast of over 85 children! Lauren wanted to make sure anyone attending with microtia and atresia would have free entry and be given the chance to share their journey living with microtia and atresia at the beginning of the play. She even made sure everyone wore blue awareness wristbands to support our cause! Lauren, her husband Perry, daughter Vada and Paxton, shared at the beginning of the play why it’s important to them to spread awareness and talk about differences, acceptance and kindness. They also shared why they support the Ear Community Organization and it’s mission after struggling to find the answers they were looking for from their doctors while searching for others in the same situation so they don’t feel so alone.

Finding Nemo, Jr. was a huge success in Thomaston, Georgia during the three days of this play’s performance! So many children and adults were involved in making each performance go off without a hitch and pouring their passion and joy into these nights of education and awareness! A close friend of Lauren’s stated that “Lauren Hoyal, our fearless Director had a vision and put it on stage! But what you don’t see is her backstage going to each student telling them that they are special and loved while putting jewels on the little girls’ faces and hugging every one of them! She is creating a culture of love first and the show second!” As they say – it takes a village! Thank you to choreographer, Rachel Jordan, started as a four year old in this program and just wanted to give back! Campbell DeVore and Taylor Walker also came back as camp staff! Our Tech Camp director Leigh DeVore who every day showed up even when it was a hard summer and loved our tech students! Hats off to her assistant Abby Kinard! Thank you to the show’s producer, Amanda Holt, and of course to Lauren – who brought some epic costumes to life during Finding Nemo Jr. and kudos to Cindy Thompson for all photo credits! Thank you to some of the children in the cast who also hosted a lemonade stand to help raise funds for TUAC! A very special thank you to Carmen Ellerbee, TUAC’s Executive Director, for helping work with Lauren and the community to make this play possible through the Arts Council and for wanting to help give back to another nonprofit, helping make a difference together! Carmen believes in the Thomaston community and the families that make up this beautiful community, like the Hoyal Family! It was a beautiful night of education, awareness and giving back on everyone’s part! To learn more about The Thomaston Upson Arts Council, please visit https://www.tuacga.com/

Here is a wonderful video from the Hoyal Family sharing more about microtia and atresia and the Ear Community Organization!
https://fb.watch/ufigZSff_d/

The Ear Community Organization plans to share the play on National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day on November 9th with the microtia and atresia community since so many community members asked about this play even though they do not live in the state of Georgia! Thank you so very much to Lauren, Perry, Vada and Paxton Hoyal for wanting to spread awareness and promote education about microtia and aural atresia in their community in Georgia! Thank you for thinking of our community & for wanting to give back to our Organization so we can continue doing more good work! A very special thank you to the Thomaston Upson Art Council too for all the good they do in the Thomaston community and to Tidal Wave Auto Spa who was this year’s corporate sponsor for this play and to the arts council! We think it is wonderful that “Shows with a Purpose” will go on to educate many more about rare causes and conditions within the community! Thank you for shining a light on microtia and atresia as the first of many “Shows with a Purpose”!
Melissa Tumblin
Executive Director
EarCommunity.org

Here are some fun memories from Finding Nemo Jr!

 

Filed Under: Events, History

September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month with the Ear Community Organization!

September 26, 2024 By Leave a Comment
September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month. The Ear Community Organization proudly works on craniofacial research for our microtia and aural atresia community!

September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month. The Ear Community Organization proudly works on craniofacial research for our microtia and aural atresia community!

September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month!

This month, take the opportunity to spread awareness for those with cleft and craniofacial differences. In addition to spreading awareness, celebrate the researchers and doctors who are dedicated to craniofacial research, helping make the journey easier for all of us!

Did you know Ear Community works on craniofacial microsomia research for our community? Yep, we do! Here are some pictures of our research team – the CARE Study Team. Learn more about what our research team is doing to help improve upon the caregiver experience and journey for the families who have beautiful children and adults who have craniofacial microsomia!❤️

Link to CARE Study website: https://www.thecarestudy.org/

During this year’s ACPA Conference in Denver, CO, the Federal Legislation known as Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439/S. 1135, was championed by the ACPA Advocacy committee. Ear Community’s Founder, Melissa Tumblin, was able to catch up with lots of friends in the industry including Dr. Siva Chinnadurai of Minnesota Children’s Hospital and Dr. Steven Goudy of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Melissa’s daughter, Hailey, also had the opportunity to see Gaten Matarazzo again at the conference! The two last caught up while advocating for legislation that is needed for the community in 2019 with the NIDCR on Capitol Hill (Gaten is the co-Founder of CCD Smiles). It’s always great to see our friends with the CCA and MyFace too – together, our organization’s make an incredible impact for families in the craniofacial community!

Thank you to all of the families in our community who also help out with the surveys we post about! You are all helping give back to our community making it easier for the next family who has a child born with microtia and atresia and craniofacial microsomia (hemifacial microsomia)!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
EarCommunity.org

Filed Under: Events, History

Collin Elmore Receives Ear Community College Scholarship

September 16, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Collin Elmore, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, 9/2024, Winona State University.

Collin Elmore, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, 9/2024, Winona State University.

September 2024
Congratulations to Collin Elmore for being one of our Ear Community college scholarship recipients this year!

Collin was born with microtia and atresia of his right ear and grew up in Folsom, California. Collin’s family has always encouraged him to be a part of community, whether through hobbies or participating in school sports. Having a close family and being involved with the community has helped Collin embrace his microtia and atresia!

Collin doesn’t let his microtia or hearing loss define him. When he realized he needed to hear better, he benefited from a bone conduction hearing device system in the school classroom. He learned ASL as his second language, which he believes has helped him become a better communicator and allows him to stay connected to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. Collin believes in hearing his best and he supports others who would also like to hear their best. In fact, he and his family have advocated for hearing device legislation known as Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439/S. 1135, which would ensure that others have access to implantable hearing devices through their private insurance providers.

In addition to excelling in academics, Collin excelled in athletics too, becoming one of his school’s top athletes in baseball! Collin says, “my hearing impairment, rather than being a hindrance, has taught me to be more attuned to the nuances of the game, sharpening my instincts and enhancing my performance on the field. This dedication has not only contributed to my personal growth, but has also paved the way for the opportunity to play college baseball”.

Collin says that “commitment to overcoming barriers extends beyond personal accomplishments. He enjoys learning from and inspiring others facing similar challenges.” Two years ago, Collin and his family had the opportunity to host an Ear Community picnic, allowing them to give back to the microtia and atresia community and to children and adults in Collin’s same situation. Collin continues to help give back to the community today by playing baseball for Winona State University in Minnesota as a Deaf and Hard of Hearing athlete. As a  Geoscience major with a focus on hydrology, he plans to contribute to the protection of vital resources like Lake Tahoe and the Mississippi River.

Congratulations, Collin! We are SO PROUD of YOU! You ROCK! Have fun playing ball and go on to do great things with water conservation and management!
Thank you!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

Filed Under: Events, History

Lucas Anmolsingh receives Ear Community college scholarship

September 5, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Lucas Anmolsingh, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, September 2024. Yale University.

Lucas Anmolsingh, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, September 2024. Yale University.

September 2024
Congratulations to Lucas Anmolsingh for being one of our Ear Community college scholarship recipients this year!

Lucas was born with microtia and atresia of his right ear and is from Stewartsville, New Jersey. Growing up in a rural town, Lucas explains that the terms microtia and aural atresia were unknown to most. Lucas was a shy kid and often tried to hide his condition, rarely speaking about it. He felt his microtia and atresia was something to be embarrassed of and something that made him feel inferior to others, in addition to feeling alone. His parents were also never informed of any hearing loss communities or helpful resources in their small hometown. However, when he was entering high school, Lucas discovered Ear Community’s website! Lucas explained in his scholarship application, “Not meaning to be dramatic, but the Ear Community website changed my life! I was not aware of the resources, information and community of shared stories that I was missing out on!” As a result, Lucas wanted to help give back and created the website, www.supportforauralatresia.com, when he was in high school sharing his perspective on living with aural atresia. Since then, Lucas has learned to embrace his microtia and atresia, even going on to share his story during a senior class retreat!

Lucas currently attends Yale University where he is pursuing a B.S. degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, with a concentration in Biotechnology. He plans to attend medical school eventually becoming an otolaryngologist, which he believes will allow him to make a lasting impact on others in a way that he can personally relate to his patients while fulfilling his interest in surgery. Lucas is a volunteer at the Yale New Haven Hospital’s infections disease ward as an aid and has volunteered to help other students on campus as a medical debt and insurance counselor for low-income CT residents.

Lucas knows that hearing loss can be scary! In addition to his aural atresia, Lucas struggles with hearing loss in his non-microtic/atretic ear due to a perforated ear drum that is now causing gradual hearing loss. However, he knows that he is not alone and this gives him the confidence to endure any future roadblocks. Even at Yale, Lucas quickly realized that scholarships for hearing loss are hard to come by. Lucas wanted Ear Community to know how thankful he is to our organization by saying “thank you for all of your organization’s work, and I would like to reiterate that what you do makes a real difference! Whether it’s the technical resources, informative contacts/videos or support advice (which my parents and I have all personally used), your resources are vital to the hearing loss community!” Someday, I hope to help those who are just like me and I wish to use your platform to be an advocate for aural atresia, to spread awareness and build confidence in kids with microtia and atresia.”

Congratulations, Lucas! We are SO PROUD of YOU!!! Enjoy learning everything that is needed at Yale and go on to do great things, Lucas!

Thank you!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

Filed Under: Events, History

Isabella Cuadras receives Ear Community college scholarship

August 29, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Isabella Cuadres, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, 8/2024, Florida Gateway College

Isabella Cuadres, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, 8/2024, Florida Gateway College

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

Isabella was born with microtia and atresia of her left ear and grew up in the Lake City, Florida area. Isabella says while while she was not confident with her little ear growing up, she has managed to become more confident over the years – mainly because her dad also has microtia and she looks up to him, knowing that she is not alone. Isabella says that her dad shows her that their little ears can’t make them less of a person, but just more unique! As a young adult today, she realizes her little ear makes her different in the best way and she wouldn’t have it any other way! Isabella is proud of the confident person she has become!

Excited to begin the next chapter in life, Isabella graduated a year early from high school and is looking forward to attending Florida Gateway College where she plans to earn her AA degree in business for travel. Already realizing how much Isabella enjoys traveling and wondering what places she could explore and how many cultures she could learn about, she would like to become a travel agent! Even though graduating early was scary for her, she believes it was the right choice for her, allowing her to start her college education early. This decision also helped Isabella prove to herself that she can do whatever she puts her mind to!

When Isabella was younger, she was scared to think she would be stuck in a job she didn’t love. Going to Florida Gateway College and earning her AA will give her an opportunity to chase her dreams with travel! Isabella is excited to earn her AA and get out into the real world as a travel agent!

Congratulations, Isabella! We are SO PROUD of YOU!!! Have a wonderful time traveling the world and also making a difference for others as you help them with their plans to travel the world too as a future travel agent!  Learn lots and do great things, Isabella!

Thank you!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

Filed Under: Events, History

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

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