My name is Andrea Carey, the mother of Elyse Carey.  In 1996, at the age of 8, it was suggested by doctors that my daughter undergo a routine procedure to have drainage tubes inserted into her eardrums due to repeated ear infections. Within a year of having the tubes inserted, it was discovered that the ear tubes were embedded too deep and caused major scarring of both ear drums, resulting in permanent hearing loss. The next four years would bring three additional operations to help repair the damage to her eardrums.  The first operation at age 9 was performed to remove the tubes that were still embedded in both ear drums. Subsequent operations were required in which doctors performed skin grafts to help repair her eardrums.

As a result of the scarring of her eardrums, by age 12, she sustained additional permanent hearing loss. Unfortunately we could not afford to purchase hearing aids for our daughter which typically cost $1500 to $3500 per unit. On May 13, 2010, we were finally able to obtain hearing aids with the assistance of our physician’s office because of a one-time grant.  We were informed these hearing aids were refurbished and would have a lifespan of just 5 years. In the past 5 years, her hearing aids were repaired and adjusted several times.  We had hoped that her hearing aids would satisfy her needs until they could be replaced, but we were disappointed (and a little angry) to recently discover her hearing aids were stolen among other personal belongings.

Elyse is now 27 years old and a single mother to two beautiful children.  As of her latest evaluation, she has sustained substantial hearing loss over the ten year period. She is only able to hear roughly 30% in her right ear and 20% in her left. Unfortunately, it is expected that her hearing will continue to gradually decline over time. Purchasing two new hearing aids is well out of her budget and  insurance does not cover the cost of hearing aids. She has applied to several programs and companies for grants and financing with no luck.

She works as a Patient Care Assistant(PCA) at a local hospital so having the ability to hear is not only beneficial to raising her children, but is critical to successfully perform her job. Hearing aids are the only viable option our daughter has for a chance to hear. Cochlear implants are not an option for her as her hearing loss is from nerve damage. Her only other option would be to have bone anchored hearing aids drilled into her skull to help pick up sound using a bigger surface area. This is a $60,000 surgery. Hearing aids molded to fit insider her ears are much more reasonable and do not require surgery.

We are asking for your assistance to help give her the gift of hearing once again. We hate to watch our daughter struggle and feel helpless that we (her parents) cannot afford the hearing aids that she so desperately needs. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.