MED-EL USA announces the launch of the 2026 IDEASforEARS children’s invention contest

November 9, 2025 – (Innsbruck, Austria): Every great idea starts with curiosity – and sometimes, even the youngest minds can imagine new ways to make life easier for people with hearing loss. MED-EL, a world leader in hearing implant innovation, is calling on young visionaries aged 6 to 12 to take center stage in the 2026 IDEASforEARS contest. This global challenge enables children to dream up creative solutions that could change the lives of people with hearing loss – proving that age is no barrier to making a difference.

November 9^th is National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day, dedicated to spreading hope & knowledge concerning a rare congenital anomaly known as Microtia & Aural Atresia – when the ears do not fully develop during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Microtia derives its name from the Latin terms for little ears or missing ears. Aural Atresia results when the ear canals are underdeveloped or absent, causing hearing loss. 1 out of every 6,000 children is born with Microtia & Aural Atresia in the United States (approximately 600 babies are born each year in the US).

It is the intention of Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day to help promote public awareness & the hope that future generations of families will leave the hospital equipped with more answers than questions & their dreams for the child intact. It is also the hope that if more people learn about Microtia & Atresia, that they will be kinder & more accepting. Through this national day of awareness, individuals with Microtia & Atresia & their families can find out about organizations & resources for information & support.

Microtia and Atresia can affect one or both ears.
Microtia can occur with or without Atresia and visa versa.
Microtia affects the right ear 2x more than the left ear.
Microtia affects boys 2x as often as girls.
Bilateral microtia and atresia occurs around 7-22% of the time.

Many individuals affected by Microtia and Atresia can also have Craniofacial Microsomia – when the jaw line is asymmetrical on one side causing oral complications, including causing the skull, eye and mouth on one side to be smaller or underdeveloped when compared to the non affected side. Craniofacial Microsomia is also known as Hemifacial Microsomia.

African Americans are the least affected by Microtia and Atresia, while Ecuadorians, Hispanic/Latino, Asian and Native American ethnicities are affected more often.

There are (4) grades of Microtia and Aural Atresia:
While there is little understanding of what causes Microtia and Atresia, there are new genetic findings that show damaging genetic variants may cause Microtia and Atresia and Craniofacial Microsomia. The Ear Community Organization didn’t want another mother to ever blame herself, thinking she did something to cause her child’s ears to be missing during her pregnancy. These new findings can be found on Ear Community’s website, here, including additional research information.

Children and adults who have Microtia and Aural Atresia are beautiful and perfect in every way and should never let their hearing loss or underdeveloped ear(s) define them. However, if an individual with Microtia and Atresia believes that outer ear reconstruction or hearing restoration surgery would give them the happiness they long for, it is important to be informed of the following options:
1. The Do Nothing Option.

2. Reconstructive surgery:
a. Rib Graft surgery – an ear framework that is stitched from sections of rib (gold standard surgical technique).
b. Porous polyethylene surgery – known as a preshaped ear framework referred to as Medpor, SuPor or OMNIPORE.
c. Craniofacial surgery that can help make the jaw and face symmetrical. Jaw distraction is also an option. Polyethylene implants for the chin and cheeks are an option as well as botox. A craniofacial team/plastic surgeon can review these options with you.

3. Prosthetic ear (which looks incredibly realistic).

4. Atresiaplasty/Canalplasty – when a hole is drilled into the skull, creating an area for an ear canal that is lined with a skin graft as well as creating the possibility of the middle ear bones being tweaked offering an improved hearing range.

5. Bone Anchored Hearing Devices/Bone Conduction Implant Systems – these are specific bone conduction systems that aid conductive hearing loss and are often the only specialized hearing devices individuals with Microtia and Aural Atresia can benefit from due to missing ears.

Bone Anchored Hearing Device options:
The Cochlear Baha and Osia System
The Oticon Medical Ponto and Sentio System
The MED-EL ADHEAR and BONEBRIDGE System

The Ear Community Organization is the first parent driven nonprofit organization to help Microtia and Atresia families, specifically, as well as having paved the way for this community since 2010.

How has Ear Community given back to the Microtia and Atresia community?
– offered the first comprehensive online resource for information on Microtia and Atresia in one place in multiple languages.
– hosted over 130 FREE events throughout the United States as well as in Denmark, South Africa, Spain, the UK, Australia and multiples in Canada bringing together thousands of families and medical professionals.
– donated nearly 200 bone anchored hearing devices to those in need or who have been denied by their insurers.
– awarded 35 college scholarships.
– established “National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day”. Our awareness day has a Resolution in place that would designate November 9th on the government calendar.
– championed genetic research on Microtia and Atresia with published results.
– has Federal legislation introduced, known as Ally’s Act, that would ensure private insurance coverage for Bone Anchored Hearing Devices and Cochlear Implants for children and adults from birth to age 64.
– 3D Printed/Regenerated ears – collaborating with clinical trials.

On National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day, many medical professionals host clinics and educate online about Microtia and Atresia through social media. Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as well as families educate and advocate in the school classroom, sharing about hearing loss and Microtia as well as discussing differences, acceptance and being kind. Many choose to read from related books on Microtia and hearing loss while others bring in treats such as cupcakes and cookies in the shape of ears or with the blue Microtia and Atresia awareness ribbon on them. Many classrooms get creative with coloring pages of Microtia ribbons that are printed for anyone to color in!

Medical professionals to consider reaching out for information regarding help with Microtia and Aural Atresia:
Neonatologist, pediatrician, ENT, audiologist, craniofacial team (plastic surgeon and oral surgeon), pediatric dentist, opthalmologist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, anaplastologist, geneticist, psychologist/counselor or developmental specialist.
* some children have additional syndromes associated with Microtia and Atresia who can benefit from additional specialists listed above.

Did you know that animals can also be born with Microtia and Atresia?

Tags:  #nationalmicrotiaandatresiaawarenessday
#microtiaawarenessday  #atresiaawarenessday
#microtiakidsrock  #EarCommunity  #luckyears #microtia #atresia
www.EarCommunity.org

Sasha Gardner and Melissa Tumblin talk about microtia and atresia

Recently, I had the opportunity to catch up with UK Model, Sasha Gardner, and talk about microtia and atresia, on her podcast – Sasha Says! Sasha was born with microtia and atresia and she has been working to raise awareness about our rare cause and talk about anti-bullying on her podcast. Both of us have known about each other for the past 15 years and we finally had the chance to catch up and talk about her work in the community and mine, as well as sharing our experiences with the community when it comes to microtia and atresia. It was so wonderful to finally meet Sasha! It was like catching up with a good friend! We hope our talk will help families in our community! ❤️ 👂

I am grateful for connecting with Sasha and to discuss the journey of microtia and atresia from both a mother’s perspective and an individual having being born with microtia and atresia. Sasha shares that “In this episode, Melissa Tumblin — founder of Ear Community and driving force behind Ally’s Act in Congress — shares her journey from the shock of her daughter Ally’s diagnosis with microtia and aural atresia to becoming a global advocate. Melissa opens up about the early days of confusion in the hospital, the lack of clear information from doctors, and the emotional rollercoaster of raising a child with hearing difference. She explains why she created Ear Community, how she built a worldwide support network for families, and the impact of National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day.

We also dive into Ally’s Act, the federal legislation Melissa has been championing in Congress to ensure consistent insurance coverage for children and adults who need access to life-changing hearing technology.

💛 Whether you’re a parent of a child with microtia, an adult navigating hearing loss, or someone passionate about advocacy and inclusion, Melissa’s story is one of strength, resilience, and change.”
– Sasha Gardner

Watch and share:
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjYuNI2MBXh-YTc-2MLfALw
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6cf3RREAL3H5G9loWDyneN?si=dr671hk9StiezEL2yzPOTw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashasayspodcast?igsh=MXdwdDh4MTJoM3BjaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Thank you again to Sasha for creating a platform to help spread awareness and education about microtia and aural atresia as well as a safe place to have helpful discussions for our community!
Melissa Tumblin
Ear Community

#microtia #microtiaawareness #sashasayspodcast #microtiakids #disabilityawareness #selfacceptance #inspiration #hearingloss #mentalhealthmatters #empowerment #HearingHealth #allysact #EarCommunity

Melissa and Ally Tumblin talk about Ally’s Act with Congressman Joe Neguse, September 10th, 2025.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Contact: Grace Martinez

Grace.Martinez@mail.house.gov

VIDEO: Rep. Neguse Joins Ally and Melissa Tumblin to Introduce “Ally’s Act,” Legislation to Expand Coverage for Specialized Hearing Devices

Washington, D.C. — Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse has once again teamed up with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) to introduce “Ally’s Act,” a bipartisan bill that would ensure private insurance companies cover osseointegrated hearing devices (“OIDs”), including bone anchored hearing aids (“BAHA”) and cochlear implants. The legislation is inspired by Ally Tumblin, a 16-year-old Colorado native, who was born without a right ear or hearing canal—conditions known as microtia and aural atresia—and requires the use of a BAHA.

After Ally’s insurance company denied coverage of her hearing device, her mother, Melissa Tumblin, formed the organization Ear Community in 2016 to advocate for insurance coverage of these devices to ensure no person is left unable to hear because of private insurance companies’ refusal to provide coverage. Then, in 2019, during Congressman Neguse’s first term in the U.S. House, he received a letter from Ally detailing her circumstances. After learning about her situation and the similar circumstances of Americans living with microtia and aural atresia, Neguse first introduced Ally’s Act.

“The bill is really simple. It is an effort to help Coloradans and Americans ensure that they have access through their health insurance plans to bone anchored hearing devices, which, right now, are not available on the vast majority of health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. We’ve got to change it. And really, this bill only came about because of Melissa and Ally Tumblin. It was their story—and Ally’s story—that really helped us conceive of Ally’s Act, and I couldn’t be more grateful to both of them for their courage and their willingness to be a part of the solution,” said Congressman Neguse in a video highlighting the bill.

Watch the full video HERE.

“Bone anchored hearing systems and cochlear implants are the only hearing devices some children and adults can benefit from. When an insurance provider denies coverage for someone in need of one of these hearing devices, the opportunity for communication and to pursue certain careers is taken away. These hearing devices are medically necessary, and it is imperative that private insurers provide access to these types of hearing devices, including the necessary hearing health care that is associated with them. Ally’s Act would ensure fair and consistent coverage for these hearing devices, improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people,” said Melissa Tumblin, Ally’s Mother and the Founder and Executive Director of Ear Community.

“When a child is denied the ability to hear because of an insurer blocking access to care, that’s not just a policy failure—it’s a moral one. Ally’s Act is our answer. It’s a commitment to every family: your child’s future won’t be decided by red tape. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, I’ve made it a priority to ensure our laws are not only inclusive in intent, but effective in impact—for every child, every family, and every ability,” said Representative Fitzpatrick.

The bill is also widely supported by individuals born with microtia and atresia, as well as by medical organizations representing ear, nose, and throat specialists. See what they’re saying below.

“The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association applauds Representative Neguse for reintroducing Ally’s Act,” said American Speech-Language-Hearing Association President Bernadette Mayfield-Clarke, PhD, CCC-SLP. “Nobody should be denied life-changing hearing technology, including implantable hearing devices, and related audiologic services because of arbitrary private insurance restrictions. Effective communication is not only necessary for academic, social and career success, but it is essential to our ability to connect with others. We believe it as a basic human right that should be accessible and achievable for all. This important legislation stands to make a real difference in the lives of people of all ages with hearing loss.”

“American Cochlear Implant Alliance enthusiastically supports Ally’s Act, legislation intended to ensure that Americans have access to hearing implants including cochlear and osseointegrated implants,” said Donna L. Sorkin, Executive Director, American Cochlear Implant Alliance. “Representative Neguse has demonstrated leadership and understanding of the extraordinary value of appropriate hearing healthcare for people of all ages, allowing those who need them to hear to pursue education, participate in the workplace, and enjoy a high quality of life.”

“When patients need osseointegrated devices or cochlear implants for severe hearing loss, insurance denials create devastating financial barriers on top of an already challenging medical condition,” said Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. “We’re grateful to Representatives Neguse and Fitzpatrick for Ally’s Act, which will ensure coverage for these life-changing devices and allow otolaryngologists and their patients and families to focus on clinical treatment and outcomes—rather than battling coverage denials and financial burdens.”

This bill is endorsed by over 55 advocacy, academic, and non-profit organizations, including Ear Community; the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, the American Cochlear Implant Alliance; the American Academy of Audiology; the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; the National Rural Health Association; Waiting to Hear; HearStrong; Lemon Aids 4 Hearing; Songs for Sound, Inc; American Tinnitus Association; the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; City and County of Broomfield, Colorado; Hands & Voices; Harvard Medical School – Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Otolaryngology; Let Them Hear Foundation; Morgan’s Magical Ears; Educational Audiology Association; Dallas Ear Institute; the Acoustic Neuroma Association; Hearing Health Foundation; Colorado Academy of Audiology; the California Ear Institute; Aid the Silent; HearAid Foundation; New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai; Microtia and Atresia at Stanford Hospital and Clinics/Otolaryngology; the American Pediatric Surgical Association; American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology; Michigan Medicine – Department of Otolaryngology; University of Pittsburgh Medical Center/Otolaryngology; the Otolaryngology Department at Columbia University Irving Medical Center; IndoUSRare; Chad Ruffin, MD; Proliance Surgeons; Prader-Willi Syndrome Association/USA Advocacy Committee; Weill Cornell Medical College – Departments of Otolaryngology and Audiology; Hearing Industries Association; Hearing Loss Association of America; The John Tracy Center; Plastic Surgery Department at Johns Hopkins; Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses; the University of Southern California Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery; University of California San Francisco Medical School/Department of Otolaryngology and Cochlear Implant Center; Johns Hopkins Biomedical Engineering and Auditory Research Department; Johns Hopkins Cochlear Implant Center, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery; ReconstratA, the American Doctors of Audiology; FACES: the National Craniofacial Association; MyFace Organization; and the American Cleft Palate Association; Lewin Ear Reconstruction; Reinisch Plastic Surgery; Tahiri Plastic Surgery; Nemours Children’s Ear, Hearing & Communication Center; Jacob’s Ride; International Congress on Bone Conduction Hearing and Related Technologies; The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research.

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Official t-shirts & more are now available in different styles & colors with proceeds going to support our Ear Community Organization! 

* Look for order deadline dates below!*
Order by September 30th, 2025 for Ear Community shirts!
Order by October 10th, 2025 for Lucky Ears shirts!

HOW TO ORDER:
The following are the official links to order microtia and atresia awareness day shirts and more from Ear Community!

1. Click here to order the official microtia and atresia awareness day shirts available through Ear Community. T-shirt styles include the 2025 style Microtia & Atresia Awareness Day shirt, reindeer & gnome shirts for the holidays, Microtia Kids Rock, microtia butterfly shirt & Proud Mom or Dad who know an awesome microtia or atresia kid styles. These styles come in all different sizes, colors, long and short sleeve, hoodies, onesies, zip ups, etc… 
Order deadline is September 30th! *** If you are ordering for a large group and would like to have these shirts shipped sooner for group pictures, please email Olivia at:  Tiny@TinyLittleMonster.com

2.  Click here to order the National Microtia Awareness Day November 9th style shirts or click here to order the National Atresia Awareness Day November 9th shirts. This style comes in a variety of colors, sizes long and short sleeve, hoodies, sweatshirts, etc… Order deadline for both is September 30th! 

3. Click here to order stickers, ribbons, socks, mugs and water bottles, backpacks, leggings and so much more! A special thank you to Priscila Soares for creating these designs to help embrace our special community day and support on Ear Community Organization! Order deadline is October 10th!

Thank you and our community looks forward to embracing National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day every November 9th!
Ear Community

Ear Community’s first 5k run/walk organized by Alida Proehl in Tremont, IL. (July 19, 2025)

On Saturday, July 19th, 2025, Alida Proehl organized the very first 5K run/walk in Tremont, Illinois for our Ear Community Organization called “Hear Me Run!” This was a very special day for Alida because she wanted to help give back to the community and raise awareness about a rare cause that is near and dear to her heart – microtia (missing ears) and aural atresia (absent ear canals resulting in hearing loss)!

Alida was born with Microtia and Atresia, which involves hearing loss. Alida recently made the decision to have a hearing device implanted that would help her hear better, but her insurance provider denied coverage for a bone conduction hearing implant system, called the Osia System, made by Cochlear Americas. The Osia and other implantable hearing device systems cost nearly $50,000 or more including the surgery for this device. Originally, her insurance provider approved her claim, but then later denied her claim, stating that the Osia was not medically necessary, even though this hearing device was approved by and recommended by her ENT. For Alida, this hearing device is absolutely medically necessary because it would help her hear better since she only has hearing in one ear. When Alida was denied the opportunity to hear by her insurance, she quickly realized how much these hearing device implants mean to someone when they have hearing loss. Alida knew right then that she wanted to raise funds so she could help another child or adult hear if their insurer denied them access to a hearing device or if they could not afford to pay out of pocket for their hearing device.

Once Alida knew she wanted to help give back, she reached out to our Ear Community Organization as a member of our community. She knew exactly what she wanted to do and began planning for and organizing the 5K run/walk in her hometown. From gathering sponsors, to creating her own fliers and t-shirt designs, to speaking on local podcasts to asking the City of Tremont for help – Alida had a plan! Did I mention that Alida is only 20 years old! For months, Alida wondered how many people would show up, worried it would only be a handful of people who would turn out as the race date neared. Finally, on Saturday, July 19th, it was Alida’s big day to bring the community together and she was ready! Alida and help began setting up for the race around 5:30 AM that morning! Alida’s amazing family and friends helped set up the entire course while she focused on some last-minute details. To Alida’s surprise – 161 walkers/runners signed registered for the race! Of course it rained, but for most of the race it was perfect weather!  About 89 people ran the race. The runners had chips on their running bibs, so Alida could see how many actually came to the race. She had volunteers of all ages offer to help, which was so inspiring to see! Alida’s Great Aunt, who is 80 years old, helped pass out water to runners at the one-mile mark! The Tremont Police Department donated their time and services to provide officers to guide runners at intersections! Tremont Rescue had two responders (Megan Harley, Paul Molden & Chief Trent Steiner) volunteer standby for runners during the race, stationed at both the start and finish lines! And, Tremont Area Park District (Bryan Cheek, Director) donated the park pavilion during the race where participants could be sheltered from the rain and where the awards ceremony took place.

One of the highlights of Alida’s day was having two other individuals with microtia and atresia at the race! One of them traveled all the way from Florida to be there! The other Alida had just met a couple of weeks earlier at a restaurant. It meant the world to share this experience with them! Not only was this day so special for Alida and her family and for all of the runners and walkers who participated, including so many from her home town who stepped up to help and donate their time and services, but Alida raised nearly $15,000.00 with her event thanks to registered walkers and runners and other donors, including the runners and walkers who shared about this event asking others to help donate to our cause. Incredible!!!! Alida even had awards made and certificates, including making sure that first place received a special bracelet that was donated thanks to Brad and Kathy of Udry Jewelers! Alida says that she felt truly blessed to have so much support and that this is something she would like to do again! 

A special thank you to Alida – Thank you for wanting to raise awareness about our rare cause – microtia and atresia, and thank you for wanting to help give back to the community through Ear Community! All of your hard work, drive and passion was absolutely incredible from start to finish! You are such an incredible person with such a big heart wanting to make a difference and to help raise funds so no other child or adult has to do without a hearing device. Thank you for everything and for your family who supported you the entire way! Thank you for raising funds for our Ear Community Organization so we can continue to help even more children and adults who were born with microtia and atresia!

A special thank you to to the following who helped make Alida’s work and this event so special and something to be proud of and remember for ever!
Thank you to Alida’s entire family and friends! Especially her mom and dad, Dr. Rebecca Proehl and Dr. Trent Proehl.
The Sponsors who donated to Alida, supporting her and the Ear Community Organization! Funds helped go toward paying for banners, fliers, shirts and other associated fees that helped make this event possible!
Sponsors: 
Peoria Ear Nose & Throat Group, Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery Center, LLC.
Wayne Litwiller Excavating
Tremont First National Bank
Sam Leman Morton Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM & Fiat
Sam Lemon BMW of Peoria
Beccham’s Market, Inc.
Louisa Jane, Inc.
Kouris Pub
Lighthouse Buick
Debra & Brad Barnard
Kevin & Valinda Ulrich
Jason & Amanda Proehl
Patricia & Rick Vance
Robert & Beverly Herrin
Michael Lynn
Jeff Paternoster with ShaZam Racing through Race Roster for helping make Alida’s 5k easy to manage and a complete and total success all around!

Alida, thank you for hosting and managing this unforgettable 5k run/walk for our Ear Community Organization! Your “Hear Me Run” event will always be special to me and to our organization as our very first run/walk event ever! This is something that I could have never managed to put together and or had the time to organize, but YOU did and you did an exceptional job! You are special to Ear Community, to the microtia and atresia community and to me, Alida! Thank you for working so hard on all of this! You are nothing short of amazing, Alida! You are truly an inspirational person and I just know you are going to do incredible things in life! I, along with Ear Community are grateful for you, Alida! Thank you for giving back to the community and for supporting our cause. This was a wonderful way for you to shine a light on our rare cause by making it such a beautiful day for so many!
Thank you, Alida!

Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
EarCommunity.org

The Ear Community Organization has watched our community members, children and adults, continually be denied coverage by their insurance providers for bone anchored hearing devices. It saddens our community when the opportunity to hear is taken away and not supported as something that should be provided when we pay into our insurance premiums. This is why Ear Community has Federal Legislation in place known as Ally’s Act, H.R. 4606, that would close the loophole when insurers deny bone anchored hearing devices and cochlear implants. Ally’s Act would provide fair and consistent coverage for children and adults from birth to age 64, preventing another individual, like Alida, from being denied the opportunity to hear. We are asking everyone in every state to please email, call and write to your Congressman at their Washington DC office, asking them to co-sponsor Ally’s Act, H.R. 4606. Please visit the Ear Community website for template letters and details on how to advocate for this piece of legislation. We want Ally’s Act to pass because no one should ever have to fight to hear!
Link to Ally’s Act page:  https://earcommunity.org/about/allys-act-h-r-5485/

Please print and mail the following 1-pager, list of endorsers and fact sheet when you ask your Congressman to cosponsor Ally’s Act, H.R. 4606:
Ally’s Act 1-pager
Ally’s Act list of endorsers
Ally’s Act fact sheet

Wyatt Sclafani, Fall 2025 Ear Community college scholarship recipient.

Congratulations to Wyatt Sclafani for being one of our Ear Community college scholarship recipients this year!

Wyatt was born with unilateral microtia and atresia of his right ear and lives in Belmont, Massachusetts with his family. Wyatt grew up playing football and rugby during school and has become quite the start athlete at his high school. Being involved in athletics where he can be competitive with others who have sports in common has helped him fit in and make lots of friends. Wyatt says that “The last four years have been some of the best hears of my life.” Wyatt was able to win the Middlesex League Campionship alongside his football team, which he says hadn’t been done since the 1960’s. He also served as a team captain for his football team and even traveled to Italy to play for the Belmont Rugby Football Team this past April.

Wyatt also knows what it is like to be a part of community when it comes to microtia and

Wyatt Sclafani, Ear Community college scholarship recipient for Fall 2025.

atresia. He and his family have hosted (2) Ear Community picnics over the years in Boston where Wyatt has enjoyed being a role model for others in the same situation. Whether he is on the field or volunteering with the community helping someone realize that they are not alone with whatever challenge they have, Wyatt has learned to be a role model in many ways. At the Ear Community picnics that Wyatt and his family have hosted over the years, he has enjoyed speaking with others in our community and also being there for the younger kids. At our organization’s last picnic in Boston, a little boy traveled to our picnic just to take a picture with Wyatt so he could show all of his friends at school that he knows a cool kid because he was struggling with friends. Wyatt was happy to take a picture with this little boy and helped make his day in addition to helping him realize that he is not alone with microtia and atresia! Wyatt is attending Nichols College in Dudley, MA where he will be playing Division 3 football for Nichols College! Wyatt plans to earn his degree in business & marketing!

Wyatt, you have a bright future lying ahead for you in both school and in sports! We are excited to see where football takes you and we just know you will do amazing things with your degree in business and marketing!

Thank you and good luck from our Ear Community Board of Directors!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

Mya DeAngelis, Ear Community college scholarship recipient for Fall 2025.

Congratulations to Mya DeAngelis for being one of our Ear Community college scholarship recipients this year!

Mya was born with unilateral microtia and atresia of her right ear and has Goldenhar Syndrome. She lives with her family in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Mya is an honors student who graduated with a rank of 30 out of 245 students. She played tennis for all four years of her high school career and was also part of the mock trial club and the club for change. While she enjoyed being competitive, one of her favorite things she was a part of during high school was being a member of the club for change because it is a group that gets together to foster positive change in the community.

Mya comes from a long history of family being involved with construction and skilled trades. Her great grandfather was a mason. Her grandfather was a master electrician and her dad has carried on the tradition as a master electrician as well. Mya remembers that during holiday breaks and summer vacation, she would go to work with her dad on various projects and has realized the satisfaction behind completing a project from start to finish. She also appreciates knowing how many people of various skill sets and backgrounds come together to complete a job.

Mya will be the first of her family to attend college & she is very excited to carry the torch from her family history of electricians, masonry experts & construction professionals! She is attending Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston & is looking forward to earning her degree in Construction & Project Management!

We are excited for you to build an incredible future for yourself and to build incredible places for so many others as you utilize your skills in construction and project management, Mya! Congratulations! Our Ear Community Organization and our community are proud of you! Do great things, Mya!

Thank you and good luck from our Ear Community Board of Directors!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community