Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1956 that provides programs and services to families of children with hearing loss in Illinois, including music programs, education, and hospital partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1956
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources does
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1956 and incorporated in 1958, headquartered in Illinois, that serves families of children with hearing loss. The organization operates a portfolio of programs including the Music Theatre Main Experience (MTME), Education Coordinator, 1-3-6 Awareness initiative, Literacy program, Loaner Hearing Aid program, LEAP (Listening Education for Aural Parents), and Ages and Stages developmental support. As of latest data, FHSR serves 900+ children and 350+ families across Illinois.
FHSR delivers services through partnerships with hospitals, schools, and music schools. The most significant institutional partnership is with Lurie Children's Hospital, dating to 2000, which supported 99 cochlear implantations in 2023. Additional collaborations include Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and a network of schools and music schools across the Chicago area, supporting school-based music programs launched in 2020. The organization's digital presence has been externally recognized with MarCom Gold (2021) and dotCOMM Silver (2021) website awards.
FHSR's revenue model is donation-based, with programs supported through charitable contributions and a $900 per child sponsorship mechanism. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The organization has expanded its demographic scope with the 2021 launch of the Aging Voices program and operates without a disclosed technology or AI layer. Service delivery is human-intensive, relying on Education Coordinators, music program facilitators, and partner-clinician networks.
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources
- Legal name
- Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources
- Website
- https://fhsr.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1956
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1956 that provides programs and services to families of children with hearing loss in Illinois, including music programs, education, and hospital partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pediatric Hearing Loss Support Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Inclusion, Special Needs & Early Intervention Training (IEPs/IFSPs, Neurodiversity) (EDACAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Literacy & Numeracy Intervention (Reading/Math Support) (EDAJALAD)
Keywords
Where Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: FHSR operates as a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (Tax ID: 36-6082810) primarily funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. The organization solicits donations through its website with one-time, monthly, and annual giving options, and matches through employer gift matching programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | $900 sponsors one child for a full year of tuition-free music classes |
| Subscription | Monthly | Donation tiers from $100 to $1,000+ |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FHSR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a portfolio of free or low-cost educational, clinical, and social support programs for children with hearing loss in Illinois and their families. Its core offerings include tuition-free music enrichment classes and instrument lessons (Music To My Ears), research-based music therapy, school-based music curricula for DHH classrooms, an Education Coordinator program that provides IEP/504 advocacy and school placement support, a loaner hearing aid bank and LEAP battery/charger program, early literacy training, and an Ages and Stages resource portal covering birth through high school graduation.
Product overview
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR) is a private non-profit organization offering a portfolio of support programs for children with hearing loss and their families, not a unified software platform. The core offerings include: the Music to My Ears (MTME) music enrichment program with early childhood classes, instrument lessons, school-based music, and music therapy; the Education Coordinator Program providing IEP/504 support; the 1-3-6 Awareness Campaign for early hearing detection; the Literacy Program offering training and book scholarships; the Loaner Hearing Aid Program and LEAP program providing hearing technology access; and the Ages and Stages resource portal covering birth through high school. These programs work together to provide comprehensive educational, clinical, and social support for deaf and hard of hearing children.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Music To My Ears (MTME): Music enrichment classes, individual instrument lessons, school-based music programs and music therapy for deaf and hard of hearing children.
- 1-3-6 Awareness Campaign
- EARS
- LEAP Program
Products and services
- Music To My Ears (MTME) Program Comprehensive music enrichment program for deaf and hard of hearing children, encompassing tuition-free early childhood classes, individual instrument lessons, school-based music curriculum, and music therapy services.
- MTME Scholarship Program A year of tuition-free music classes and instrument lessons for deaf and hard of hearing children, delivered through partnerships with Chicagoland music schools covering early childhood enrichment and individual instrument instruction (piano, guitar, strings, band instruments).
- Education Coordinator Program Free resource program providing parents, caregivers, and professionals with personalized support for school placement, IEPs, 504 plans, technology, accommodations, and transitions for children with hearing loss from birth to age 22.
- Loaner Hearing Aid Program Program providing temporary hearing devices to children while awaiting insurance approval, repairs, or replacement, with equipment banks stocked at pediatric clinics and schools across Illinois.
- LEAP Program (Loaner Equipment for Academic Progress) Program providing batteries and chargers for hearing aids and cochlear implants to school-based audiologists to ensure students have full access to classroom instruction.
- School-Based Music Programs Weekly music classes embedded in deaf and hard of hearing classroom curricula for students ages 3-7, using the MTME DHH-specific music curriculum to promote communication, language acquisition, articulation, and self-esteem.
- Music Therapy Program Research-based, tuition-free music therapy program for children ages 4-9 with hearing loss, focused on improving listening skills, self-esteem, socialization, and articulation, delivered via 12-week winter sessions by board-certified music therapists.
- Literacy Program (EARs) Early literacy initiative providing free training for parents, caregivers, and Early Intervention professionals on best practices for reading to children with hearing loss, along with book scholarships featuring characters with hearing loss.
- Lurie Children's Partnership Program Clinical partnership funding audiology services, loaner hearing device banks, music therapists, social workers, and the Hart Family Education Liaison for the Cochlear Implant Program at Lurie Children's Hospital.
- Policy and Advocacy Program Advocacy efforts providing families with information and tools to engage with elected officials on pediatric hearing loss issues, including newborn screening, insurance coverage, and disability rights legislation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of MTME school-based music program students demonstrated proper call and response skills on assessment
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoflagshipFHSR created a strategic partnership with Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children's Memorial Hospital) starting in 2000 to remove barriers for children with hearing loss. FHSR funds audiology technician, loaner hearing device bank, music therapists, social workers, Pediatric Otology Special Needs Fund, and the Hart Family Education Liaison for the Cochlear Implant Program. Lurie Children's completed 99 cochlear implantations in 2023, including 12 children with unilateral hearing loss.
- Advocate Children's HospitalcoreFHSR provides grants to Advocate Children's Hospital (Oak Lawn location) to stock loaner hearing aid banks for pediatric patients awaiting repairs, replacement, or insurance approval.
- University of Chicago Comer Children's HospitalcoreFHSR provides grants to Comer Children's Hospital to stock loaner hearing aid banks for pediatric patients awaiting repairs, replacement, or insurance approval.
- University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (CHUI)coreFHSR provides grants to University of Illinois Hospital to stock loaner hearing aid banks for pediatric patients at the Happy Ears clinic on Taylor Street.
- SCOPE Speech & Hearing Clinic at Rush UniversitycoreFHSR provides grants to Rush University's SCOPE Speech & Hearing Clinic to stock loaner hearing aid banks for pediatric patients.
- Rush University Medical Center Pediatric AudiologycoreFHSR partners with Rush University Medical Center's pediatric audiology department, providing grants for loaner hearing technology.
- Chicago Hearing Society - Youth Connections ProgramcoreFHSR partnered with Chicago Hearing Society's Youth Connections Program to create the EARs Early Literacy training program for parents, school professionals, and Early Intervention service providers, designed to close the early literacy gap for DHH children.
- Merit School of MusiccoreMTME Scholarship partner offering early childhood music classes (ages 0-5) and individual/group instrument lessons (ages 4-14) including piano, guitar, strings, and band instruments at 38 South Peoria Street, Chicago, IL 60607.
- Old Town School of Folk MusiccoreMTME Scholarship partner offering early childhood Wiggleworms classes (ages 0-4) and individual/group instrument classes (ages 5-12) in piano, drums, guitar, ukulele, and fiddle at Logan Square and Lincoln Park locations.
- Community School of the Arts at Wheaton CollegecoreMTME Scholarship partner offering early childhood music classes (ages 0-4) and Music Makers & Suzuki Little Stars (ages 4-6) in keyboard and strings at 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187.
- Music Makers of Western SpringsminorMTME Scholarship partner offering individual instrument classes in Piano, Strings, Drums, Guitar/Ukulele, and Musical Theatre at 4332 Howard Avenue, Western Springs, IL 60558.
- School of RockminorMTME Scholarship partner offering performance-based music education including individual lessons, group rehearsals, and live performances (ages 8-16) at locations in Northbrook and Oak Park, Illinois.
- Music & Movement at GCCNSminorMTME Scholarship partner offering early childhood music and movement classes (ages 9 months to 4 years) at 1000 Elm Street, Glenview, IL 60025.
- Tiny Toes MusicminorMTME Scholarship partner offering playful music classes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers across locations in Downers Grove, Hinsdale, La Grange, Burr Ridge, and Clarendon Hills.
- Encore Music Academy (Crystal Lake)minorMTME Scholarship partner offering early childhood classes (birth to 6 years) and music lessons/classes at 87 North Williams Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
- Prospect Music TherapycoreFHSR partnered with Prospect Music Therapy and lead researcher Laura Pawuk (PhD, Eastern Michigan University) to create a DHH-specific music therapy curriculum. Professional music therapists provide 12-week winter music therapy programs for children ages 4-9.
- Bell Elementary (Chicago Public Schools)corePartner school for MTME school-based music curriculum and classroom-based music enrichment in deaf and hard of hearing classrooms.
- Kinzie Elementary (Chicago Public Schools)corePartner school for MTME school-based music curriculum and classroom-based music enrichment using a Total Communication approach.
- Peter Cooper Dual Language Academy (Chicago Public Schools)corePartner school for MTME school-based music curriculum and classroom-based music enrichment.
- Child's Voice Oral Deaf SchoolcorePilot partner for MTME school-based music curriculum (launched January 2020) and school-based music programming site. Also hosts musical storytime events.
- Terrace Elementary (NSSEO)corePartner school for MTME school-based music curriculum and DHH classroom-based programming.
- Villa Park Early Childhood Center (SASED)corePartner school for MTME school-based music curriculum serving early childhood DHH students.
- University of Iowa / Dr. Kate GfellercoreFHSR's music therapy curriculum is based on the groundbreaking research of Dr. Kate Gfeller at University of Iowa. Dr. Gfeller serves as an Advisory Board member.
- Illinois Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI)coreFHSR has partnered with Illinois EHDI to help families understand the 1-3-6 process and what to expect in the first 6 months of a baby's life if diagnosed with hearing loss.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: North Carolina-based nonprofit providing parent support, education, and advocacy for families of DHH children. Directly comparable in mission, service model (IEP support, family events, early intervention), and regional nonprofit structure.
- Hands & Voices: National nonprofit parent-driven organization supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Highly comparable to FHSR in mission, target population, and wraparound parent support model, but operates nationally rather than state-specific.
- John Tracy Center: California-based nonprofit providing free parent-centered services to families of young children with hearing loss, including education, counseling, and clinical referrals. Comparable to FHSR in offering free wraparound services and parent education for DHH children.
- Hear See Hope: Family-focused nonprofit supporting children with hearing loss through funding, research, and family connections. Comparable to FHSR in family-centric DHH support model and community-building approach.
- AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: National membership and advocacy organization supporting listening, speech, and language for people with hearing loss. Comparable to FHSR in serving DHH children and families, with a stronger national advocacy and research focus.
- Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech: Multi-state network of schools and services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, including mainstream school programs and family services. Comparable to FHSR's school-based music programming and education services for DHH students.
Broad incumbents
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD): Nation's premier civil rights organization of, by, and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Overlaps with FHSR's policy and advocacy work but operates at a much broader national scale.
- Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA): National consumer organization representing people with hearing loss across all ages. Broader in scope than FHSR (serving adults and children), but addresses overlapping parent/family needs for DHH advocacy and community support.
- Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center: Federally funded national center providing educational resources for DHH children and the professionals who serve them. Comparable to FHSR's educator training and curriculum development work, but at federal scale.
Regional players
- Child's Voice: Illinois-based oral deaf school serving children with hearing loss ages 0-8 in the Chicago area. Direct regional peer that partners with FHSR (pilot partner for MTME school-based music curriculum) and shares overlapping DHH family catchment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources social profiles
Digital presenceFoundation for Hearing and Speech Resources compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources
What does Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources do?
FHSR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a portfolio of free or low-cost educational, clinical, and social support programs for children with hearing loss in Illinois and their families. Its core offerings include tuition-free music enrichment classes and instrument lessons (Music To My Ears), research-based music therapy, school-based music curricula for DHH classrooms, an Education Coordinator program that provides IEP/504 advocacy and school placement support, a loaner hearing aid bank and LEAP battery/charger program, early literacy training, and an Ages and Stages resource portal covering birth through high school graduation.
Is Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources a public or private company?
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources founded?
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources was founded in 1956. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources based?
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Charitable Contributions.
Who are Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Hands & Voices, John Tracy Center, Hear See Hope, AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech. Broad incumbents are National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. Child's Voice is listed as a regional player.
Does Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources have an API?
No public API is recorded for Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources.
What industry is Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources in?
Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources's product category is Pediatric Hearing Loss Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACAIAF, Inclusion, Special Needs & Early Intervention Training (IEPs/IFSPs, Neurodiversity), with a secondary code of EDAJALAD, Literacy & Numeracy Intervention (Reading/Math Support). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.