Archives for March 2024

Delaney Yates, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, August of 2023, Missouri University.

August 2023
Congratulations to Delaney Yates for being awarded our latest Ear Community college scholarship!

Delaney was born with microtia and atresia of her right ear and grew up on a farm in Iowa. She has been involved with sports and volunteering and shows cattle through 4-H Club. Delaney has learned to advocate for herself over the years, especially because of her hearing loss in her right ear. She makes sure she is seated in a good spot in classrooms so she can hear the teacher better, she is often use to turning her head to hear things and always asks questions if she feels she missed something.

Delaney’s inspiration is her biological mom, who was a CNA (certified nurses assistant). Delaney would like to become a nurse to honor her mom and because she saw how much her mom loved helping people. Delaney has been accepted to the University of Missouri and is excited to begin her college career! She also hopes to meet someone else in school who has microtia and atresia so someone else can understand how she feels with hearing loss in one ear and microtia.

Congratulations, Delaney! We are SO PROUD of YOU!!! You’ll become an amazing nurse, we just know it! Do great things, Delaney!

Thank you!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

August 23, 2023
Welcome to Elizabeth Mazer! Liz has been a part of our organization for the past few years ever since her nephew, Barrett, was born with bilateral microtia and atresia. I have to say that Liz is an AMAZING person and I am so happy to have her in my life and to be a part of Ear Community!

Liz has helped with fundraising for Ear Community, she has helped to educate

Elizabeth Mazer, Auntie to her nephew, Barrett, who was born with BMA.

others about microtia and atresia and she has helped advocate for Ally’s Act over the years! In fact, Liz joined us during our Fly-In week during the last week of July to be with us on Capitol Hill. Liz met with her Congressman in person to ask him to cosponsor Ally’s Act! Liz is also an amazing donor to our cause and community!

Liz is a trader for an alternative asset manager in Virginia. Her nephew, Barrett, was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia and is aided with two Oticon Ponto 5 Mini sound processors. Liz’s sister, Nicole (Barrett’s mom) is also an amazing mother, advocate and supporter of our cause and organization!

Please welcome Liz to our Ear Community Board!
Thank you!
Melissa Tumblin
Ear Community

Noelle McFarland, Ear Community Board Member

June 13, 2023
Meet Noelle! Noelle is an amazing advocate in our community! She was born with Microtia and Atresia of her right ear. She has not had reconstructive surgery, nor is she aided with a hearing device. And yet, she is an amazing ROCK STAR! Many of us in our community know her as a popular and well respected performing singer/songwriter! Noelle earned her music degree at the prestigious Belmont University in Nashville – proving how so many of our children and adults with Microtia and Atresia have a love for music!

Noelle has been a member of our Ear Community Organization for years! In fact, Noelle has performed at our Vanderbilt Ear Community Microtia and Atresia event in Nashville for the past three years now (excluding Covid). Even when Noelle’s parents found our support group, her family has been a part of our posts and events over the years and they have been wonderful supporters and donors to our organization as well.

Welcome to Ear Community in your new role, Noelle!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

*** You can check out Noelle and her beautiful voice and music here!