Rep. Neguse Introduces Bipartisan Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day Resolution in Honor of Constituent Ally Tumblin

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for November 9th to be recognized as National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day. Rep. Neguse and Rep. Fitzpatrick are also the sponsors of the bill Ally’s Act, named after Rep. Neguse’s former constituent Ally Tumblin, which would require insurance companies to cover specialized hearing devices used by people born with microtia and aural atresia, such as bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) and osseointegrated devices (OIDs). 

During his first term in Congress, Congressman Neguse received a letter from Ally detailing her circumstances; after hearing about her situation Rep. Neguse introduced Ally’s Act. He reintroduced the bill earlier this year with bipartisan support. 

“One of the very first bills I ever introduced in Congress was named in honor of a local third grader born with microtia and aural atresia. For Ally and countless Americans across the nation, specialized hearing devices are critical for communicating.” said Congressman Neguse. “On November 9th, National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day, we recommit ourselves to ensuring support for Americans impacted by these health conditions and expanding coverage for osseointegrated hearing devices (“OIDs”), including bone anchored hearing aids (“BAHA”) and cochlear implants.” 

"Millions of Americans face hearing loss every year," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "I'm proud to join Congressman Neguse on this bipartisan resolution to designate November 9th as Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day to recognize the challenges that those with hearing loss deal with everyday."

Read the text of the resolution HERE. 

“It is important to have national awareness days that raise awareness, encourage research and promote education about unique and rare congenital anomalies like Microtia and Aural Atresia (when a child is born with missing or underdeveloped ears and no ear canals, resulting in hearing loss),” said Melissa and Ally Tumblin, Founders of the Ear Community Organization. “We welcome National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day - as a day to shine a light on this rare cause, but also a day to share options and resources that can improve the quality of life for the children and adults born with Microtia and Aural Atresia. This awareness day is also meant to help the children and adults born with Microtia and Atresia know they are beautiful and never alone. Along with families, medical professionals, educators, therapists and advocates we look forward to embracing National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day every November 9th!”

This resolution is endorsed by Ear Community; Academy of Doctors of Audiology; Acoustic Neuroma Association; AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; American Academy of Audiology; American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; American Cochlear Implant Alliance; American Tinnitus Association; AudiologyOnline; Broomfield City Council Member Kimberly Groom; California Academy of Audiology; California Ear Institute; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters; Children's Minnesota Ear Shape Clinic; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Cochlear Americas; Columbia University Medical Center Departments of Audiology and Otolaryngology; Custom DME, LLC; Dallas Ear Institute Departments of Audiology and Otolaryngology; Educational Audiology Association; FACES - The National Craniofacial Association; Hear Aid Foundation; Hearing Health Foundation; Hearing Industries Association; Hearing Loss Association of America; Hear Strong; Johns Hopkins Department of Plastic Surgery and Reconstruction; John Tracy Center; Let Them Hear Foundation; Lewin Ear Reconstruction; Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford; Maryland Academy of Audiology; Mass Eye and Ear; MED-EL; Medical Art Prosthetics, LLC; Microtia Congenital Deformity Institute; Nationwide Children's Hospital Ohio; New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai; Oticon Medical; Personalized Prosthetics; Proliance Surgeons; Properly Made Masks; Rainbow Babies Hospital Ohio; ReconstratA; Dr. Russell H. Griffiths Ear Reconstruction; Seattle Children's Hospital; Seidman Laboratory; University of Southern California School of Medicine – Otolaryngology; South Carolina Academy of Audiology; SpeechPathology.com; Stanford Children's Health; Suh Hermsen Strap, LLC; Texas Children's Hospital; USC Keck School of Medicine/Cochlear Implant Center; and the University of Virginia Medical Center.

###