Jacob Landis lost his hearing as a child and, in an effort to help others, is about to embark on a 10,500-mile journey to all of the Major League Baseball stadiums—by bike. 

Known as Jacob's Ride, the effort is to raise money for others who have lost their hearing and need cochlear implants. Jacob said that the cost for the implants can run between $50,000 to $100,000, and other treatment costs can add up over a lifetime.

The 23-year-old explained that he had progressive hearing loss, as opposed to being born deaf.

"When I was in kindergarten, I was fitted with hearing aids—that's when I knew I was different," he said.   

At age 10, Jacob received cochlear implants but they weren't covered by insurance since there was no medical reason given for his hearing loss.

"We never had a cause—because I wasn't sick, I wasn't suffering," he said.

The lack of insurance coverage for the implants didn't come as a surprise to Howard Francis, the director of The Johns Hopkins Listening Center. 

"What I can say is that the struggle to get insurance companies to recognize cochlear implant intervention as effective and standard of care has been a long journey," Francis said. 

Jacob's dad Randy Landis said he and his wife, Lois, have spent more than $700,000 for implants and other treatments over the course of their son's lifetime.

Money raised by Jacob to help others will go to The Gift of Hearing Foundation, Johns Hopkins Medicine (Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery), Mayo Clinic and James W. Pickle Charitable Foundation.

Jacob is biking to all of the pro baseball stadiums, leaving from Annapolis on April 3 and ending on Sept. 24 in Miami—his first stop will be at Nationals Stadium in Washington, DC, and his last will be at Marlins Stadium.  

"Basically, it's the whole circumference of the United States, plus Toronto," Jacob said. "I've been a die-hard follower of the Orioles, plus an all-around baseball fan."

He said he will be throwing out the first pitch in Seattle when the Mariners play the Oakland Athletics, and again when the Philadelphia Phillies play the New York Mets.

Jacob's cousin will be accompanying him on the ride as his support driver, his brother (who got him into biking) will be on a bike alongside of him to send him off, and his dad is acting as ride director.

There will be a kickoff fundraiser at Harry Browne's on March 27 and Jacob's employer, Whole Foods, will be hosting a sendoff party on April 3—and supporters can purchase T-shirts and wristbands. 

For more information, visit the Jacob's Ride website.