2022-2023 Grant Recipient: Ear Community
We are thrilled to announce that Ear Community, a nonprofit organization offering support to individuals with microtia (missing or underdeveloped ears) and aural atresia (absent or underdeveloped ear canals resulting in hearing loss), is the recipient of the 2022-2023 Charlie F. Cronheim Memorial Grant. Ear Community originated as a support group on Facebook in 2010 and has since evolved into a global advocate for children and adults with congenital ear differences.
You can learn more about Ear Community here: https://earcommunity.org/
You can learn more about Ear Community here: https://earcommunity.org/
Melissa Tumblin founded EarCommunity.org after her daughter Ally was born missing her right ear. She is a passionate advocate for individuals with Microtia and Atresia. Through her work, she aims to educate, connect, and empower families.
Ally's Act - named after Ally - is a bicameral, bipartisan legislation aimed at ensuring private insurance companies cover osseointegrated hearing devices (OIDs), including bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) and cochlear implants. If passed, this bill would help hundreds of thousands of children and adults have access to life changing treatment, allowing them to live the lives they dream, participate in the workplace and community and enjoy a high quality of life.
Summer Family Picnics
Ear Community hosts picnics every year around the world helping bring Microtia and Atresia families together. The
events are attended by children and adults with microtia, their families, teachers, advocates, and medical professionals who provide care for those with microtia.
National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day is on November 9th
The Ear Community organization founded Microtia Awareness Day in 2016. This day is dedicated to spreading hope and knowledge about this congenital condition, which derives its name from the Latin words "micro" and "otia," meaning "little ear." Mark the calendar and think of the number 9 as the shape of an ear.