Melissa Tumblin, Founder of the Ear Community Organization, is proud to be a presenter at this year’s American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association Meeting taking place in Palm Springs, CA along with the CARE Study Team, a research team Ear Community has proudly been collaborating with for the past five years!

Our panel presentation, “Enhancing Craniofacial Research: Integrating Family Stakeholders,” will take place on Friday, May 9th at 7AM and will include Amy Schefer, Melissa Tumblin, Amy Mendillo, Lucy Pearse, Kris Pearse, Dr. Nicola Stock, Dr. Canice Crerand, Dr. Alexis Johns.

Authors: Stock NM, Herring B, Magee L, Johns AL, Crerand CE, Heike CL, Schefer A, Drake AF, Tumblin M, Feragen KB.

The CARE Study Team has conducted research that was needed in the microtia and atresia and craniofacial field. Thanks to our collaborative research efforts, our CARE Team is making things easier for the next family that has a child born with microtia and atresia and craniofacial microsomia! The CARE Team is comprised of a interdisciplinary group of more than 20 members from 7 countries including members who are advocates, researchers, and healthcare providers. Our team works out of two primary sites – Seattle Children’s Research Institute and the University of Bristol, West England in the UK. Our research team also includes a number of subcommittees and an Advisory Council as well.

Our CARE Study Team is proud to be making multiple presentations during the ACPA including having multiple papers accepted from our team’s research at this year’s meeting! Below is just one of the papers from our team’s contributions.

“Surgical Decision-Making Regarding Hearing and Ear Reconstruction in Craniofacial Microsomia: Exploring Caregiver Narratives,” – Manuscript Number: JCMS-D-24-00363R1, Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery. Published in January 2025. Authors:  Stock NM, Herring B, Magee L, Johns AL, Crerand CE, Heike CL, Schefer A, Drake AF, Tumblin M, Feragen KB.

For more information on our CARE research team and advisory board, visit: CARE Team

I am looking forward to seeing lots of our medical professional friends and fellow advocates at this year’s meeting!

Thank you!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

Jaden Williams, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, 3/2025, Arizona Western College.

Congratulations to Jaden Williams for being one of our Ear Community college scholarship recipients this year!

Jaden was born with bilateral microtia and atresia, who grew up in an orphanage in China without a hearing aid, struggling to hear and reading people’s lips, making it difficult for him to keep up with his classmates in school. Jaden remembers feeling isolated and frustrated, often wondering why he was different. Jaden was able to still find love while growing up in the orphanage. The Chinese people in the orphanage showed Jaden compassion, helping him find a loving home and offering emotional support during this challenging time in his life while coming to the United States. Jaden says, “This experience taught me the importance of being diligent in life and not giving up on facing challenges – values that I continue to carry with me to this day.”

After Jaden was adopted by his American mom and brought to the United States, he was given the opportunity to be aided with a bone conduction hearing device which transformed his life! Suddenly, he was able to engage in conversations, participate in class and connect with others in a way he had never been able to before! This change opened up a world of possibilities and gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams! Jaden is grateful to his teachers for helping him receive the support he needed to move forward, spending extra time with him to ensure he understood what he was learning and by helping him develop the skills he needed that are helping him thrive. It was their belief in him, along with his mother’s, that inspired him to work hard and strive for a bright future!

Jaden is excited for his future! He is determined to become an attorney and is currently pursuing his AA degree in Paralegal Studies from Aarizona Western College. From there, Jaden is looking forward to earning his Bachelors Degree in legal studies and plans to apply to law school. He hopes that his career will go on to serve as a testament to the determination that is being defined through his own personal journey and to be an inspiration for others who may find themselves in a similar situation with Microtia and Atresia.

Congratulations, Jaden! We are SO PROUD of YOU! Thank you for reminding all of us that love and help go a long way and for the reminder of how important hearing is! You are an incredibly strong individual with amazing determination and drive that undoubtedly will help you soldier on creating that bright future you are in search of! Do great things, Jaden!
Thank you!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

December 30th, 2024
Cochlear, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, is proud to announce that it has been named the number one most trustworthy company in the healthcare industry by Newsweek in its 2024 rankings of the World’s Most Trustworthy Companies. This prestigious recognition underscores Cochlear’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer-centricity.

The Newsweek ranking was conducted independently in collaboration with global data research firm Statista and evaluated companies based on customer, investor, and employee trust. Over 70,000 participants provided 269,000 evaluations, highlighting Cochlear’s exceptional reputation and dedication to improving the lives of those with hearing loss.

“At Cochlear we place a strong emphasis on customer service and support ensuring our recipients are at the heart of everything we do. Cochlear offers a comprehensive range of services to ensure that recipients of our devices receive the best possible care throughout their hearing journey. This includes rehabilitation programs through our Connected Care program, working with audiologists and hearing care professionals for continued support, and access to a global community of Cochlear recipients,” Dig Howitt, Chief Executive Officer & President of Cochlear said.

“Our dedication to our mission extends beyond our products and services. Cochlear is also committed to making a positive impact on society through initiatives aimed at raising awareness about hearing loss and advocating for greater access to hearing care,” Howitt continued.

“This recognition from Newsweek recognizes our commitment to making a difference to the lives of people with hearing loss.”

For more information about Cochlear and its innovative hearing solutions, please visit www.cochlear.com.

November 14, 2024 – (DURHAM, NC) – MED-EL, a pioneer in hearing implant technology, today launched the 2025 IDEASforEARS competition in celebration of World Inventors Day. This global initiative invites young minds to step into the role of inventor, channeling their creativity to design groundbreaking solutions that could transform the lives of people with hearing loss.

Open to children aged 6 to 12 years, this year’s contest encourages entrants to dream without limits and contribute to a future where hearing challenges are met with innovative solutions. One grand prize winner will be awarded a trip to MED-EL’s international headquarters in Innsbruck, Austria, to meet with MED-EL inventors and other child inventors from around the world.

The IDEASforEARS contest serves as a platform where young inventors can unleash their imaginations. Whether through drawings, models, videos, or other creative mediums, children are encouraged to envision the next big advancement in hearing technology. This is not just about competition – it is about fostering a spirit of innovation and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those with hearing loss.

“The IDEASforEARS contest is more than just a competition. It is an opportunity for young minds to contribute to a future where hearing loss is met with hope, innovation, and ingenuity. Through IDEASforEARS young inventors can explore their creativity and contribute ideas that could shape the future of hearing technology. At MED-EL, we are committed to fostering the next generation of innovators, and this contest allows us to discover fresh perspectives that could influence our product development and enhance the lives of those with hearing loss,” said Jennifer Robinson, Corporate Director of Product Management Hearing Solutions at MED-EL.

Since the first contest in 2017, IDEASforEARS has captivated more than 1,200 young people from more than 40 countries, proving that the desire to create and help others knows no borders. The contest not only celebrates the inventive spirit of children but also raises awareness about hearing loss, a condition that affects millions globally. By participating, children gain insight into the importance of hearing health and the potential for technology to change lives.

MED-EL invites parents, guardians, and teachers to encourage children to participate in this life-changing contest. More information and submission details can be found at IDEASforEARS.medel.com. Submissions close on January 17, 2025, at midnight (CET).

About MED-EL

MED-EL Medical Electronics, a leader in implantable hearing solutions, is driven by a mission to overcome hearing loss as a barrier to communication and quality of life. The Austrian-based, privately owned business was co-founded by industry pioneers Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair, whose ground-breaking research led to the development of the world’s first micro-electronic multi-channel cochlear implant (CI), which was successfully implanted in 1977 and was the basis for what is known as the modern CI today. This laid the foundation for the successful growth of the company in 1990, when they hired their first employees. To date, MED-EL has more than 2,800 employees from around 80 nations and 30 locations worldwide.

The company offers the widest range of implantable and non-implantable solutions to treat all types of hearing loss, enabling people in 137 countries enjoy the gift of hearing with the help of a MED-EL device. MED-EL’s hearing solutions include cochlear and middle ear implant systems, a combined electric acoustic stimulation hearing implant system, as well as surgical and non-surgical bone conduction devices. www.medel.com

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Rebecca Novak Tibbitt
media.us@medel.com

The microtia and atresia blue awareness day ribbon.

On November 9th, 2024, our Ear Community Organization’s 9th dedicated International Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day took place for our beautiful community! We had families, medical professionals, schools, hearing device companies and other organizations embrace our special day around the globe! The microtia and aural atresia community was embraced by many community’s all over the world including the United States, Canada, Taiwan, the UK, Denmark, China, Argentina, Ecuador, Columbia, Mexico, Mongolia, Germany, France, Italy, Hungary and more!

Each year, we come together to celebrate our beautiful children and promote awareness and education about microtia and atresia. It is important to shine a light on this rare cause as only 800,000 children and adults have microtia and atresia in the world. In the United States, there approximately 58,000 individuals living with microtia and atresia with an estimated 660 babies being born each year in the US (1 out of 6,000 chances at birth).

4 grades of microtia and aural atresia

November 9th is dedicated to spreading hope and knowledge of a rare congenital birth anomaly known as microtia and aural atresia. Microtia (missing or underdeveloped ears) and Atresia (missing or underdeveloped ear canal, resulting in hearing loss) when the ear(s) occurs during the 1st trimester of pregnancy when the ears do not fully develop. Often affecting one ear or both ears, Microtia and Atresia come as a surprise when diagnosed at birth. Facial challenges, hearing loss and the longing for social acceptance are some of the daily concerns for those who are born with Microtia and Atresia.

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

Zoey receives the gift of hearing for National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day. San Antonio, TX, November 5th, 2024. Ponto 5 Mini thanks to Oticon Medical and Ear Community. (right ear microtia and atresia)

One of our many highlights this November 9th was our Ear Community Organization being able to help give the gift of hearing to Zoey, a young girl in Texas who had been denied a bone conduction hearing device multiple times by different health insurance plans. No one should ever have to fight to hear! Hearing devices give people their lives back and also allow for a better quality of life. Zoey’s story shares how her hearing loss changed over time and how it began to affect her in school. Thankfully, Zoey’s

Melissa and Swati, “Let’s Normalize the Differences – Microtia”. Renaissance with Swati on Youtube.

family found Ear Community! There were many other highlights this November 9th! Ear Community’s Founder, Melissa Tumblin, was invited on a beautiful podcast called Renaissance with Swati to talk about differences and acceptance of our children. Thank you to Swati Jain for doing this beautiful podcast with me for Microtia Awareness Day! Also, the International Center for Ear Reconstruction in China hosting an amazing event for 35

The International Center for Ear Reconstruction in China microtia awareness day event, 2024.

microtia and atresia families this year! The event was able to educate microtia families on their options and also about helpful resources like the Ear Community Organization! The Mongolian Microtia community brought 47 children together this year making it a special day for everyone who attended!

Since 2016, our organization has been collaborating with Auregen BioTherapeutics on an ear of the future, a 3D printed regenerated ear for individuals who were born with microtia and aural atresia. Last fall Auregen began their clinical trials and we are excited bout the results for a new

Auregen Bio embracing National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day, 2024.

ear in the future that would be made of your own bodies cells. An event in New York took place on the weekend of National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day for families that attended. Thank you to Auregen Bio for your incredible dedication to our cause and for wanting to improve upon techniques to help make children and adults born with microtia feel whole again. Here is a group photo of the Auregen Team wearing our Ear Community awareness day t-shirts this year! Thank you for all that you do to help our community and cause!

It’s always a joy to watch our children advocate for themselves. It’s even more of a joy to see the pride in them as they educate others about their rare cause. We had many children educate in their school classrooms this year, presenting about microtia, hearing loss and hearing devices. Many schoolroom teachers and Teachers of the Deaf embraced their students who have microtia and atresia in the classroom, sharing

California

about options and also enjoying cookies and cupcakes making it a special day to learn something about other’s differences! From school parking lot signs posting about our awareness day to schools including our special community day on their monthly calendars – it was a wonderful time to educate and include so many! Most importantly, there was a lot of talk about kindness and acceptance and that it is okay to be curious, but be curious in a understanding way. It is important to remember that children and adults with microtia and atresia are not different from anyone else. Individuals with microtia and atresia can do everything anyone else can do. Especially when given the chance to. In the UK, The Enniskillen Castle & Strule Artts Centre in Omagh where lit up on November 9th for our cause just like last year in Canada where the CN Tower was lit up in our blue awareness day color. Amazing!

The Furze Family promoting microtia awareness in the school classroom!

As parents, we are willing to move mountains for our children in order to give them what they need. It also takes a village to make this happen! Ear Community’s mission has always been filled with the hope to find the answers we are looking for and for every child and adult born with microtia and atresia to know they are never alone, because they have all of us in our community! Our organization brings our families together, we educate on the options that can make our loved ones live the happiest lives, we do research to make our communities better, we advocate for what is needed and we provide information that will help the next

Kayla sharing about microtia and hearing loss in her school classroom.

family’s journey easier when they have a child born with microtia and atresia. However, we cannot do this alone. Helen Keller once said “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much!” We are grateful for the community we now have! We are grateful to everyone who embraces our rare cause and helps give back to our community. Thank you to all who love our children and adults with microtia and atresia! Thank you for taking a moment to learn about something new like microtia and aural atresia!

A HUGE thank you to Ear Community’s Sponsors who help give back to our community, including all of our donors who support the good we do and allow our organization to keep on keepin on! Without you, our community would not be here to offer so much in the way of our events, donating hearing devices to those in need, awarding college scholarships, advocating for legislation that is needed and championing genetics and general research that is needed for our community. Especially, shining a light on our cause during Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day! Thank you to everyone’s continued support to our organization and community! It is appreciated more than you know and means the world to the community we serve!

Melissa Tumblin
Founder, Executive Director
Ear Community

Zoey receives the gift of hearing for National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day. San Antonio, TX, November 5th, 2024. Ponto 5 Mini thanks to Oticon Medical and Ear Community. (right ear microtia and atresia)

Meet Zoey, a sweet 14 year old girl from San Antonio, Texas! Zoey was born with a congenital anomaly affecting her right ear, known as microtia and aural atreisa – where her outer ear and ear canal did not fully develop, causing hearing loss. Even though Zoey has always been interested in school and is social, she has struggled off and on with her hearing over the years. When Zoey was in elementary school, her mom, Anna, took her to the audiologist for a routine hearing test. At the time, Zoey had healthcare coverage through the Texas CHIP program. After learning more about Zoey’s hearing loss and receiving a recommendation from their audiologist for a bone conduction hearing device, Anna was excited to help Zoey hear better. However, the CHIP program denied coverage for a hearing device when Zoey’s family applied.

Fast forward a few years later where Zoey is now in 8th grade. Her hearing loss is becoming more of a struggle for her in the school classroom because of background noises and loud sounds. Anna didn’t realize how much Zoey was struggling to hear each day until Zoey finally mentioned it and they had a conversation about her hearing. This time, Anna applied to Medicaid for a bone conduction hearing device. Anna had been waiting to hear back from Medicaid since 2023 – only to be denied! Meanwhile, Zoey began struggling in school. Anna shared that Zoey had become fearful of asking her teachers to clarify or repeat themselves because she thinks they will think she is not listening. Zoey had also begun guessing about what was being said while trying to read lips. Zoey had also recently began struggling with hearing how loud or soft her voice was when speaking. Frustrated, Anna began reaching out to a few hearing loss organizations that she was informed of in hopes of finding a hearing device for Zoey. Sadly, Anna didn’t receive any responses back from the applications they filled out! Anna says Zoey had cried many times, worrying about her hearing and sadly wondering why they couldn’t find the help she needed!

Anna, Kate, Zoey, Steven and Eloise Quesada, November 2024.

For years, Anna had belonged to an online community for families with children who have microtia and atresia. Once Anna realized the support group was part of a nonprofit organization called Ear Community, she applied for a hearing device for Zoey. After Ear Community’s Board of Directors learned how this family has been continually denied access to hearing for their daughter, the Board voted to help Zoey obtain a bone conduction hearing device! On November 5th, 2024, Zoey received the gift of hearing with a Newly donated Ponto 5 Mini bone conduction hearing device from Oticon Medical! Zoey was fitted with her Ponto 5 Mini by Dr. Phallon Doss, owner of the Doss Audiology & Hearing Center. Anna said, “Zoey started crying when she heard through hearing device for the first time. She went outside of the audiology office and said Wow! I didn’t know birds chirped like that! The best part, Anna said, is when Zoey got home and practiced the trumpet she’s been playing for the last years, she said I never knew trumpets really sounded like that!”

Anna is grateful to the Ear Community Organization for helping her daughter hear. – “Thank you for fighting for Zoey in this journey when it felt like I had exhausted every possible option, knocked on every door and felt like I had nowhere else to turn! You have been God’s response to a 14 year old girl’s desperate (and silent) cries for help! Thank you Ear Community!”  Melissa Tumblin, Executive Director of Ear Community says, “It takes a village. Our organization has been helping children and adults in need obtain bone conduction hearing devices since 2012. No one should ever have to fight this hard to hear! And yet insurance providers continue to deny these medically necessary hearing devices! For this very reason, our organization has a Federal piece of legislation in place that would help make coverage consistent, known as Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439/S. 1135. Our community needs this bill to pass!”

Zoey and Dr. Phallon Doss

When a hearing device is donated by the Ear Community Organization, more than just the Ear Community Organization is involved. A special thank you to Anna and Zoey for advocating for better hearing and for never giving up! A special thank you to Oticon Medical for giving back to the community through nonprofits like Ear Community, so that together we can help improve people’s quality of life! Thank you to Brendalys Trinidad, Consumer Marketing and Events Manager of Oticon Medical US, for making sure Zoey’s Ponto made it in time for her special hearing day! Brendalys has been behind many gifts of hearing with Ear Community and we are grateful for you! A special thank you to Dr. Phallon Doss for not only fitting and programming Zoey’s Ponto, but for helping this family receive the gift of hearing that will help Zoey thrive! Also a special thank you to Tony Puricelli, Territory Manager for Oticon Medical, for making sure Zoey and Dr. Doss had everything needed for Zoey’s special hearing day! It’s quite possible that Zoey’s fitting wouldn’t have worked out the way it did if it were not for everyone involved pressing on and advocating when needed! Most of all, Zoey received the gift of hearing during National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day, which is something quite meaningful all on its own.

Thank you to Ear Community’s Board of Directors for helping change a child’s life! We are so happy you found us, Anna and Zoey! We are even happier Zoey can hear the birds, her trumpet and not have to worry about missing a beat in the classroom when her teachers are teaching. We know Zoey will go on to do amazing things!
Melissa Tumblin
Executive Director
Ear Community