Walk4Hearing Heroes Help HLAA Bring Hope – Brody’s Monsters

The HLAA Walk4Hearing is held in 21 cities across the country, raising awareness and bringing hope to people with hearing loss. Since 2006, more than 365 Walks have raised $20 million for national and local programs, welcomed 123,000 participants and shown countless people with hearing loss that they are not alone. Our 2024 Walk4Hearing season is off to a great start, with four events completed, four coming up through June 23, and 13 more in the fall! Join us as a participant, volunteer or donor!

In this blog series, we’re spotlighting three heroic teams whose long-time participation have helped HLAA bring hope to millions. Here is the second; read the first blog about Team Adeline.

$10K in Six Years: Brody’s Monsters

An Early Start with Walk4Hearing

Brody Fromholt was born in 2012 with a profound hearing loss caused by Usher syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects both hearing and vision. It was identified during his newborn hearing screening and confirmed during an auditory brainstem response (ABR) test. Brody received his first pair of hearing aids at just three weeks old.

By a quirk of fate, both Brody’s mother, Katie, and grandmother had been longtime teachers of children with hearing loss. His grandmother retired to care for Brody as a baby and Katie eventually changed jobs to work at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, which he attended.

Thus, upon his diagnosis, Brody’s parents were already aware of various options. They immediately went into research mode and decided upon cochlear implants (CIs). Their search for the best surgeon to perform the procedure led them to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCH). CCH sent information and resources, including an introduction to the local Walk4Hearing the following spring.

A Family Affair from the Get-Go

In May 2013, Brody’s family participated in the Dayton Walk4Hearing, where extended family members joined the newly organized Brody’s Monsters team. Together, they proudly raised a few hundred dollars that first year and were delighted to connect with other Walk4Hearing participants in that area. Being at the Walk gave Brody’s family the opportunity to be around other people with hearing loss. Since 2013, the Brody’s Monsters team has raised more than $10,000.

Through Walk4Hearing, Brody’s family has networked and shared helpful resources with other nearby hearing professionals. Just 10 years after its first walk, the family now hosts its own Walk4Hearing event closer to home in Kentucky, where Katie served for two years as the Walk Chair.

Stopping Hearing Loss in Its Tracks

Brody has never let hearing loss slow him down and excels in his middle school gifted and talented program. He also plays trombone in the school band, manages the football team and produces his own videos.

Advocacy is especially important to Brody. He corresponded with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear regarding Usher syndrome, which led to an appearance with the governor as he signed the Usher Syndrome Awareness Day Proclamation in 2021. Brody is always happy to talk about his hearing loss and share the strategies that work best for him.

The next Kentucky Walk4Hearing will take place on Sunday, September 22, 2024.

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