A birth surprise. A scramble for answers. And a mother who refused to accept “good enough” when her daughter’s hearing—and future—were on the line. We sit down with EarCommunity.org founder Melissa Tumblin to unpack microtia, aural atresia, and the real costs of unilateral hearing loss that too often go unseen: delayed speech, safety risks, and the daily strain of listening with one ear in a noisy world.
We walk through the early months—ABR testing, confusing terminology, and the long wait to discover bone conduction hearing devices that bypass the outer and middle ear. Melissa shares the moment Ally’s device switched on and the room changed, along with the aided audiograms that moved from loss to the normal range. From there we zoom out: how to practice at the top of scope as clinicians, when to refer, and what families need to know about candidacy for bone-anchored systems, CROS, and cochlear implants.
The story widens into advocacy. Coverage denials are common for people with atresia and unilateral loss, even when a device is medically necessary. Melissa explains Ally’s Act—a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would require private insurance coverage for bone-anchored systems and cochlear implants, including fittings, programming, surgery, post-op care, therapy options, and five-year upgrades for qualified patients up to age 64. We discuss the small but significant population at stake, the path in Congress, and how families and professionals can help: share your story, contact lawmakers, and close the loophole that keeps people from the hearing tech they need.
If you’re a parent new to microtia and atresia, you’ll find reassurance and practical steps. If you’re a clinician, you’ll find a call to raise awareness and make the right referrals. And if you care about access, you’ll hear how a single family’s journey became a movement for equity in hearing health. Subscribe, share with someone who needs this conversation, and leave a review to help more listeners find it.

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