Louis underwent surgery on July 20, 2021 in the USA. Now, contrary to what some ENT doctors said, he can hear with his second ear. In winter 2021, we will know at what precise level.

We keep this fundraiser online as a testimony to his journey, and because, as indicated, you can help other children hear through your donations, such as Yesmine or Liam... and ultimately help import this technique to France.

These are the goals we are now pursuing.

      



Hello,

my name is Louis. I am 8 years old.

I was born with a somewhat special ear, I got used to it, but I don't hear well, I am deaf in one ear.

I have a dream: I would like to hear with both ears like all my friends...

To hear, I use a hearing device attached to the arm of my glasses. I don't like being photographed on the internet, or having people see my "little ear" or my "glasses with a device", but I want to hear like everyone else.
 

My parents told me that laws in France have changed and that "glasses with a device" are no longer made in France. So I'm afraid of breaking my glasses, I only use them at home or at school, and on the playground I take off my "device glasses"; I always have to change my glasses, because if the "device glasses" break, I would have to wear a headband or have a screw put into my skull with a permanent device.

And I don't want that.

My parents told me that ear reconstruction surgery was possible in the United States. So I would like to go there, not for fun, not for the trip, but because it's the only solution for me to be operated on and hear without a device...

I just want to hear like all my friends, like everyone else, with both my ears.



Louis



Louis cannot hear with both ears because he was born with a rare congenital malformation affecting the left ear: aplasia.

Aplasia concerns people who have microtia and atresia.

Microtia: deformation or absence of the pinna

Atresia: Absence of the ear canal.

1 child in 15,000 is affected in France by this sensory disability, which makes it an extremely rare malformation (a disease/malformation is considered rare when it affects fewer than 1 person in 2,000).

Louis is that one child in 15,000.

This malformation, and therefore this sensory disability, is operable... but abroad.



Complete ear reconstructions shown in the diagram are currently only possible in the United States, in California, in a single operation to reconstruct the pinna (Medpor implant) and the ear canal (canaloplasty). In France, only the pinna can be operated on.

No operation on the ear canal is currently possible in France.

As with any operation in the USA, the cost of the surgery is very high (€40,000 for the surgery alone), and travel and accommodation expenses must be added for a minimum stay of 5 weeks for convalescence.

With small gestures, together, being many, the costs are considerably reduced. Together we are stronger, together we go further!

We do not choose to be born different, but we can choose to act to fix what we did not receive naturally, especially when it is possible, even if it means going to the other side of the world!

To help our son and all children affected by aplasia, we founded an association: Louis's Hearing.

The association aims to bring hope to many children affected by this sensory disability.

Hearing does not only allow one to hear, it also contributes to the development of the brain.

You can help us by making a donation, but also by putting us in touch with event organizers; we are open to any proposals that will allow us to raise the funds for this operation.

We also wish to bring together and unite all the small associations to mobilize political decision-makers and the media.



Association recognized as being of public interest (ref: 2020-55 DGFP49), authorized to issue tax receipts for your donations (Article 200 and 238 bis of the French General Tax Code). When you are taxable you can receive a tax credit (valid for 5 years), for example when you donate:

€20 this actually costs you €6.66

€100 this actually costs you €33

€250 this actually costs you €82.50

...



No need to create an account or sign up, it's quick via Credit Card or PayPal.

If you cannot contribute financially, please share this fundraiser as widely as possible. A big thank you for the help you will bring to Louis's dreams and to the eared friends: children affected by aplasia, atresia or microtia!



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It is also possible to send a cheque to the association's headquarters:

(which avoids bank fees)



Association Louis's Hearing,

3 Square Jean Auguste Ingres

49100 Angers

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Thank you for your support, for your participation, for your ideas, and for your sharing...

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Our website: https://louiedelouis.wixsite.com/website (Detailed explanations)

Contact: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LOuie2Louis (Project news - activities)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LOuiedeLouis

Membership form (€5 / year or free membership after a donation) to become an "ambassador" or help us:

https://www.helloasso.com/associations/l-ouie-de-louis/adhesions/adhesion

Phone: O6 2I 8I 8I 4O