2021 Ear Research Foundation Annual Report

Research, Education, and Community Care

2021

Annual Report Ear Research Foundation 1901 Floyd Street Sarasota, FL 34239 www.earrf.org

"Blindness separates us from things, but deafness separates us from people," - Helen Keller

Letter from the President & Founder: The past year has been a progressive one for our organization. I founded the Ear Research Foundation in 1979 with the mission of pursuing research, education, and community care. We continued to make great strides fulfilling our mission, researching advanced treatments for hearing and balance disorders, and educating physicians, ERF now has fellow number 49 and 50 whom have accepted positions with the Foundation. We also educate the public on hearing disorders, and treatments and we provide community service, including free preschool hearing screenings and provide hearing aids to those who cannot afford them.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital/First Physician Group has merged with my practice, Florida Ear & Sinus, to grow and expand. The Silverstein Institute, was purchased by Sarasota Memorial Hospital, as apart of this growth and merger.

The Ear Research Foundation is still operating independently as a non-profit entity, at Silverstein Institute.

I am so pleased and grateful to all our supporters for making it possible for us to continue to fill this need in our community. We hope that you can and will support the Foundation in 2022 and beyond, so all may hear.

Herbert Silverstein, MD, FACS President & Founder

Letter from the Board Chair: First, and foremost, thank you to all our donors this past year. Your contributions to the Ear Research Foundation have enabled us to continue pursuing our mission of research, education, and community care for hearing loss and disorders of the ear.

I am astonished by the achievements and growth within the Foundation. The emerging, continual research, with clinical trials to treat hearing loss and tinnitus. Our essential community care, hitting a milestone of our 100th Help Us Hear program participant, and counting.

Our accomplishments as an organization wouldn’t be possible without our supporters. We look forward to 2022, as we advance and evolve, with you joining us this coming year, sharing our success in furthering our mission.

Geoffrey A. Frazier, Chair, Board of Directors

​Through its mission of research, education, and community care, the Ear Research Foundation has helped thousands of individuals with hearing loss and balance disorders.

Breaking the soundless barrier... so all may hear.

2021 Impact

over 300 communicator masks distributed...

Masks that allow lip reading & do not interfere with hearing devices.

Despite COVID-19 vaccines becoming more available to people, scientists still urge the community to get vaccinated and wear masks.

Wearing masks has raised an extra challenge to the hard of hearing community. Traditional masks cover the mouth and nose rendering lip reading impossible. Not only is lip reading a problem; the masks that band around the ear are very uncomfortable for hearing aid wearers.

2021 Impact

Research

Scientific publications on treatments for hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, and Meniere's disease. This breakthrough research includes Microsurgical Posterir Fossa Vestibular Neurectomy, treatment for Meniere's disease, the Silverstein microwick for for delivering medication to the inner ear , and pioneering new surgery for hyperacusis treatment, a minimally invasive procedure that dampens loud sounds for people severe noise intolerance.

2021 Impact

Research The Foundation is involved in several clinical trials, including regeneration of hair cells in cochlea to restore hearing and unilateral tinnitus. There are ten investigator studies in the process.

2021 Impact

Education Educated 48 Fellows to be the next generation of Neurotologists since 1983.

2021 Fellowship

Dr. Christine Kim 47th Fellow 2020-2021 "The Advanced Otology fellowship at the Silverstein Institute/Ear Research Foundation has been an incredible journey for me to learn from the top leaders of our field on how to diagnose and manage people with audiovestibular problems. I have been inspired by the innovative minds and compassionate hearts of the physicians, advanced practice providers, and audiologists at the institution. The fellowship also provided me with a wonderful opportunity to serve the community by offering free clinical services and audiovestibular tests as well as rehabilitative options." Dr. Christine Kim, 2021

2021 Fellowship

Dr. Linnea Fechtner

48th Fellow 2021-2022

"Music has been a vital part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have played violin and saxophone, sung in choirs, performed in musical theater, and even sing every day in the car on my way to and from work. Whenever I encounter a patient with hearing loss, or any patient suffering from a loss of some vital function that seriously impacts their quality of life, I feel inspired to continue helping patients to thrive and more deeply experience the activities and interactions they enjoy. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn from the brilliant and talented Drs. Silverstein, Wazen, Rosenberg, and Nayak, and from the rest of the team here at the Silverstein Institute. I’m very much looking forward to both teaching and learning from my patients as well!"

- Dr. Linnea Fechtner

2021 Impact

Community 103 Help Us Hear patients accepted into program, since its inception.

Help Us Hear programs mission is to educate the public on the various treatment options for hearing loss and to provide funds for hearing aids and implants for those who cannot afford them.

2021 Impact

Community 75 preschool children screened, as the hearing screening program restarted Fall 2021 Sherri Medico, Director of Ascension Lutheran Preschool: "We understand how early intervention for hearing difficulties impacts learning during the early years of life. The Ear Research Foundation is filling a vital need in the community by providing hearing screenings for preschoolers. They were able to screen our children at Ascension Lutheran Preschool for hearing difficulties quickly and easily. We appreciated how they prepared the children by letting them know what the screening would be like and answering any of their question. Overall, this was a wonderful experience and a needed service. We will be using them again''

2021 Music

Dr. Silverstein's Jazz

For over 40 years, Dr. Herbert Silverstein has been composing jazz albums to help inspire support for the Ear Research Foundation. His latest album "Magic Hands" with Michael Ross, and sixteenth entry into his remarkable discography. www.herbsilversteinjazz.com

Magic Hands 16th CD to be released, it reached an impressive #2 on the Top Jazz Chart at NACC.

2021 Report Card

Revenue YTD as of 12/31/2021

Research $149,008 General Donations $49,969 Communicator Masks $2,267

Snapshot 17 11 75 300 2 10

In-kind donations Help Us Hear Patients Preschool Children Screened Communicator Masks Clinical Trials Investigator Studies

2021 Support

Conductor's Circle Soprano $10,000 and above Alto $5,000 to $9,999 Tenor $1,000 to $4,999

Conductor's Circle honored on our prestigious donor wall at Silverstein Institute in Sarasota, Florida.

Baritone $100 to $999 Bass $25 to $99 Please make your tax-exempt gift payable to the Ear Research Foundation, Inc.

Ear Research Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization. All contributions are 100% tax deductible.

For information, or to make a donation visit, www.earRF.org or call (941) 556-4219

2021

Conductor's Circle Soprano

Mr. & Mrs. Parul Somani In honor of Arun Deora

Alto

Mr. & Mrs. Richard F. Breske Ms. Ruth Kreindler Tenor

Mr. & Mrs. Kirk Bennett Mr. & Mrs. Robert Millar Ms. Betty Castigliano-Scott Dr. Mark L. Nichols Mr. Peter Collis Mr. Paul Rosenberg Mr. Charles Githler & Ms. Christine P. Schleisinger In memory of Jean Holowaty Ms. Deidre Beaudette Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Silverstein In memory of Dr. William Lahner Mr. & Mrs. Merle Liskey Mr. & Mrs. Darrell Williams Conductor's Circle honored on our prestigious donor wall at Silverstein Institute in Sarasota, Florida.

2021 Donors

Baritone Dr. Yadiel Alameda Dr. Johnny Arruda Dr. Mary Blome Mr. Daniel Denton

Ms. Ann Dewing Mr. & Mrs. David Eckel Ms. Joanne Eckinger Mr. & Mrs. William Fellows Mr. Harvey Ganot Ms. Charlayne Gault Ms. Margaret Godbout Ms. Michele A. Herzog Dr. T. Oma Hester Dr. & Mrs. Bernard Katz Mr. Randall E. Landis Mr. Steven Lee Mr. & Mrs. John Macaskill Mr. Larry McDonald Ms. Eileen Milligan Ms. Christine Miller Mr. & Mrs. Robert T. Nicholas Dr. Michael Paparella

Dr. Dennis Poe Ms. Christina M. Pollacci Ms. Nancy Raney Ms. Natalie Salmore Dr. Eric Smouha Mr. T. Raymond Suplee In honor of Gary Silverstein

Mrs. & Mrs. Robert Tufts Dr. Mark van Ess Dr. Hayes Wanamaker

In honor of Dr. Herbert Silverstein

Ms. Luann H. Weigand

2021 Donors

Bass Ms. Debra Briddle Mr. & Mrs. Joseph D'Ambrosio Mr. Russell Davidson Mrs. Carol DeFrancisco Ms. Tatiana Dorenko Ms. Carol Femia Mr. & Mrs. Robert Flom Ms. Ellen Garneau Ms. Lynne D. Heuston Mr. Frank Holloman Mr. Linwood Hoyt Ms. Pamela Karp Ms. Melissa Kay Ms. Rebecca Leas Ms. Judy Leisher Ms. Leeta Luiso Mr. Robert Manning Ms. Gloria McConkey Mr. Robert Minion Mr. Gerard Palmer Ms. Carleen Payne Mr. John A. Reynolds Ms. Rosemary Russo Ms. Bonnie Beth Silvestri

Communicator Mask Advocates Ms. Deborah Arnold Ms. Julie Atchison Mr. Steven Baker Ms. Mary Barry Ms. Ruthanne Bauer Ms. Ann Boeke Ms. Marcia Bourdeau Ms. Jill Brewer Mr. Albert Bronstein Mr. Ron Buck Ms. Edith Cattler Mr. David Cobb Ms. Claire Dart Ms. Elizabeth Fayhee Ms. Nancy Fehl Mr. Harvey Ganot Ms. Deette Gastel Ms. Molly Gibson Swafford Ms. Sharon Gill Mr. Michael Gordon Ms. Jeannie Grenier Ms. Donna Grimes Mr. David Hare Ms. Christine Horne Mr. Phil Huddleston Ms. Mailou Humphries Mr. Timothy Jackson Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Joseph Mr. William Kelley Ms. Lois Kiehl Mr. & Mrs. David Klement Mr. Harry Koenig Mr. David Koss Ms. Michelle Lee Ms. Elizabeth Lehrke Ms. Marie Lindmark Ms. Susan Lord

Ms. Jeanne Manser Mr. Roberto Martinez Ms. Naomi Mazzuca Mr. Jerald Miller Ms. Anna Molnar Ms. Linda Ohnstod Mr. Tim Palmore Ms. Carol Pandis Ms. Sally Pavlica Ms. Lillian Poehailos Ms. Marie Purtell Mr. & Mrs. Albert Provenzano Mr. Michael Ravibinovitz Mr. Peter Reinach Mr. Samuel Sciarrorrotta Mr. David Schneider Mrs. Rachel Schwartz Ms. Barbara Scissors Ms. Mary Gayle Selfridge Ms. Gloria Silva Herzof Mr. Nathan Skjerseth Mr. D John Sparler Ms. Susan Stokes Mr. Sheldon Sugar Ms. Karen Talford Mr. Steven Willner Ms. Patricia Zunz

2021 Donors

In-Kind Donors Ear Research Foundation is a proud partner with Hearing Charities of America, and Sertoma. Any used hearing aids or devices that you donate to us, Hearing Charities of America will receive them, refurbish them and someone in need will receive them.

In-Kind Donors

Mr. & Mrs. Terri Adler Ms. Susan Barach Ms. Linda Carr Ms. Rosalia Esposito Ms. Carolyn Hesselberth Mr. Stephen Japhe Ms. Corinne Koth Ms. Janet Leonberger

Mr. Larry McDonald Ms. Colleen Means Ms. Reva Mitchell Ms. Phoebe Morgan Mr. Joseph Quinton Ms. Irene Ross Ms. Junjo Rizzuto Mr. William Wellstead

2021 Board of Directors

Board of Directors Herbert Silverstein, MD, President Seth Rosenberg, MD, VP of Education Jack Wazen, MD, VP of Research Geoffrey Frazier, Chairman of the Board T. Raymond Suplee, CPA, Treasurer Charles Githler, III, Secretary Neil Nayak, MD Kevin Coscia, Esq. Eileen Hampshire Eric Hoonhout, Esq. Ty Wilkinson