The gift of hearing continues on for one little boy in Texas

Karl Walsh, recipient of a donated Oticon Medical Ponto 3 Superpower donated by Quinn Kougl

Meet Karl Walsh, a little boy who was born with Microtia of his left ear along with hearing loss due to Aural Atresia. As Karl’s speech and vocabulary came in over the years, Karl’s mom, Gertie Walsh, began to realize that her son was struggling with his hearing. Gertie did her research and discovered that a hearing device called a bone conduction hearing aid could help her son hear better. After taking Karl to the audiologist, Gertie applied for a bone conduction hearing device through her insurance provider, but was denied coverage for this hearing device for Karl. Thankfully, Gertie found the Ear Community Organization who was able to help Karl obtain a gently used bone conduction hearing device.

On March 12th, 2019, Gertie Walsh reached out to the Ear Community Organization inquiring about information about Microtia and hearing loss. After being denied coverage for a hearing device for Karl, she was concerned that she would not be able to help Karl hear. To Gertie’s surprise, she was able to obtain a gently used Oticon Medical Ponto 3 Superpower hearing device that had been donated to the Ear Community Organization. On March 23rd, Karl received the gift of hearing thanks to a little girl named Quinn Kougl. Quinn was also born with Microtia and Atresia and Treacher Collins Syndrome. When Quinn passed away in December of last year, her family donated her hearing devices to Ear Community so that the organization could help another child in need. Thanks to Quinn’s left hearing device, Karl is now able to hear his best in school and in everyday life.

Quinn Kougl with her mom, Justine

Life has a way of bringing people together, often times helping others who are on a similar journey. While Quinn’s family is thankful that her hearing devices have gone on to help two children hear better, including Karl, Gertie is thankful that she found an entire community that has not only helped her with emotional support, but a community that helped her find hearing for her son. Gertie is grateful to have received the gift of hearing for Karl and she is thankful for the friends within the Microtia and Atresia community that she has made recently. Gertie explained that “on the day Karl’s donated hearing device arrived in the mail, she and Karl almost body tackled our mail carrier in excitement!” “Thank you to Ear Community and to Quinn’s family so much for this device. Quinn’s story touched our hearts so much… we are so grateful.” Gertie smiles every time she sees how well Karl can hear now and how much happier he is.

Thank you to Quinn and her family for donating their Oticon Medical Ponto 3 Superpower hearing device to the Ear Community Organization so Karl can hear better. Thank you also to Oticon Medical for donating a new soft band head band to Karl for his new Ponto 3 Superpower. Karl, we hope everyday is even brighter for you now!
All of us at Ear Community
www.EarCommunity.org