YuXi Sun Todd is a seven-year-old girl who was born in Beijing, China, and is now a citizen living in the United States. YuXi was born with bilateral Microtia and Atresia and lived in an orphanage in China since she was three months old.
In May of 2015, YuXi was adopted by Lynn and Barbara Todd. Lynn and Barbara were on an adoption list for nearly 10 years before finally receiving the call about YuXi. By the time that call came, they were retired and didn’t have the income they had when they originally set out to adopt. So, they took out a loan and used savings and retirement to make it happen.
“The first thing they wanted to focus on with YuXi was to help her hear. YuXi was only speaking a few words of English and when they would repeat words back to her they noticed she was really struggling to hear them and wasn’t pronouncing the words back clearly. After taking YuXi to an ENT who had suggested the use of a bone conduction hearing device, they contacted their insurance about hearing device coverage,” Melissa Tumblin, Founder of Ear Community explained.
“Unfortunately, the Todd family did not have coverage for a hearing device for YuXi and were turned away. After spending a couple of thousand dollars on a dental bill for YuXi’s teeth to fix cavities and after the adoption fees there was not a lot of funds available to them for two hearing devices for YuXi. The Todd family was concerned for YuXi’s communication and wanted YuXi to feel comfortable in her new home with her new family.”
YuXi’s parents learned of Ear Community Organization and applied for a hearing device for YuXi. On December 22, 2015, YuXi was fitted with two newly donated Oticon Medical Ponto Plus hearing devices. Since YuXi has been aided with her two Ponto Plus hearing devices YuXi’s mother, Barbara said, “Her hearing is AMAZING! She is better able to enunciate words, sounds and putting together sentences. I would honestly say she has picked up more English in the past week than in the last 3-4 months. She is singing Christmas carols along with radio. She was talking to her sister on Facetime and really was answering appropriately.”
You can read more about YuXi’s story and Ear Community here.
And, if you’re ready to speak to an Audiologist about getting your own, let us know and we can connect you.