According to the National Institute of Health, two to three children out of every 1,000 in the U.S. are born with hearing loss in one or both ears.
Braden Baker, 13, of Fort Worth, Texas, was born with a hearing condition for which he needs to use hearing aids and undergo audiology treatments. An incident with his pet inspired him to fight for other kids with hearing impairments.
"My dog, Chewy, ate my hearing aids _ not only one time, but two times," said Braden. "My parents gave me a talk about how expensive they are to replace and how lucky we were to be able to afford them. That made me sad about others out there that can't."
Braden filmed a video for a GoFundMe campaign all by himself and asked his mother to put it on her Facebook page, and that's where his awesome adventure started, he said.
His campaign raised $15,000 in three months. When he looked at the back of his hearing aids, he saw the name Oticon, the brand that made them. He learned that the company had a foundation that gives hearing aids to adults and children in need around the world.
The company flew Braden to New Jersey to give his donation to Oticon's president. In the lobby, he met Dr. Kamal Elliott, an audiologist and volunteer with Entheos Audiology Cooperative, a non-profit company that organizes audiology mission trips to countries around the world.
Elliott believed Braden needed to see his funds in action, and she invited him on the first of five mission trips he would go to. His favorite part: "Seeing what's called a 'hearing smile' when a person's face lights up, or they get real emotional, the minute the hearing aids are turned on," said Braden.
Although the audiology mission trips were long days, Braden always learned something new, such as how to work a screening device, and even make ear molds on site from the audiologists who he says are the real heroes for taking time away from their lives and practices to help others.
To date, Braden has raised more than $150,000, which helps people in other countries and here at home.
"I've been able to help kids in my school district," he said. "I've also learned a lot about teamwork. On a mission trip, there is always someone who needs help. You have to learn to step in and see where you can assist."
Learn more about Braden Baker by watching his episode of "Marvel's Hero Project," which is currently streaming on Disney+.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Carley Campbell is an iGeneration Youth reporter living in Montclair, N.J.
