Center for Hearing and Communication

What Center for Hearing and Communication does

Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hearing healthcare organization founded in 1910 in New York City, operating clinical centers in New York (50 Broadway) and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with 51-100 employees. CHC delivers comprehensive interdisciplinary hearing healthcare including audiology diagnostics, hearing aid fitting and sales from all major manufacturers (Oticon, Widex, Signia, Phonak, Starkey, Resound), speech-language pathology, emotional health counseling, tinnitus retraining therapy, cochlear implant support, and auditory processing disorder services. It operates specialty centers for tinnitus and hyperacusis, Usher Syndrome, hearing and aging, and pediatric care, supplemented by the Listening Studio (a 500+ real-world environment simulation facility), telehealth services, free online hearing screening, OTC hearing aid consultations, and a mobile hearing unit that conducts community-based screenings at preschools, senior centers, and health fairs.

Revenue is generated through three streams: professional clinical services (insurance-billed audiology, speech, and counseling), hearing aid and assistive device hardware sales, and donations/philanthropy, which account for more than 50% of operational revenue and enable service delivery regardless of patient ability to pay. The go-to-market motion is primarily direct-to-consumer through the two physical offices, telehealth, and community outreach. Customer segments span infants, children, and adults with hearing loss, with particular depth in pediatric early intervention, older adults, and rare condition populations.

The organization leverages third-party accessibility technology integrations (captioning apps, captioned telephones, Bluetooth hearing aid connectivity) rather than proprietary AI, and its core differentiators are brand longevity (115+ years as the longest-running NYC nonprofit in hearing health), the multi-vendor device approach that eliminates manufacturer allegiance, the multidisciplinary team under one roof, and the founder role in International Noise Awareness Day now observed in 50+ countries.

Name

Center for Hearing and Communication

Legal name

Center for Hearing and Communication

Website

https://chchearing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Center for Hearing and Communication is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1910 that delivers comprehensive hearing healthcare, including audiology, hearing aid fitting, speech-language therapy, and emotional health counseling, to children and adults across NYC and Fort Lauderdale.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hearing Healthcare Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Offices of Other Health Practitioners (6213), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices (CRACANAL), Audiology & Hearing Services (ENT-Affiliated) (HLAKAMAI), Otology & Neurotology (Ear/Hearing/Balance) (HLAKAMAC)

Keywords

• Hearing healthcare services
• Audiology services
• Hearing aid fittings
• Speech language therapy
• Tinnitus treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Clinical Services: Revenue from audiology services including hearing tests, hearing aid fittings and sales, speech and language therapy, emotional health counseling, and other clinical services provided at NYC and Florida locations.
2. Hearing Aid and Device Sales: Sale of hearing aids, assistive listening devices, custom earplugs, and accessories. CHC carries devices from all leading manufacturers including Oticon, Widex, Signia, Phonak, Starkey, and Resound.
3. Donations and Philanthropy: Donor contributions account for more than 50% of operational revenue, enabling CHC to serve all regardless of ability to pay.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Center for Hearing and Communication delivers comprehensive hearing healthcare services including audiology evaluations, hearing aid fittings and sales from all major manufacturers (Oticon, Widex, Signia, Phonak, Starkey, Resound), speech-language therapy, tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment, emotional health counseling, cochlear implant support, and custom earplugs. The nonprofit also runs community outreach via mobile hearing screenings and specialty centers for pediatric, aging, and Usher Syndrome populations across the U.S.

Product overview

The Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC) is a non-profit hearing healthcare organization offering a comprehensive suite of clinical services and products. The core offering centers on audiology services including hearing evaluations, hearing aid fitting/sales from major manufacturers (Oticon, Widex, Signia, Phonak, Starkey, Resound), and assistive listening devices. The organization operates specialized centers including the NY Pediatric Center, Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Center, Usher Syndrome Family Center, and Center for Hearing and Aging. CHC provides speech and language therapy, emotional health and wellness support, educational support, and auditory processing disorder services. Community outreach includes Project PATH mobile hearing screenings and free online hearing screening tools. Products include prescription and OTC hearing aids, custom earplugs, and assistive listening/alerting devices. Services are available in-person at NYC and Florida locations, and via telehealth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Family Resource Center: Provides information and support for families navigating hearing loss, including workshops, parent support sessions, and mentorship programs.
• Usher Syndrome Family Center
• Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Center
• Center for Hearing and Aging
• Project PATH (Preschool Access to Hearing)
• The Listening Studio
• The Noise Center

Products and services

• Audiology Services
• Hearing Aid Fittings, Services and Repairs
• OTC Hearing Aids
• Hearing Protection and Custom Earplugs
• Assistive Listening and Alerting Devices
• Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Center
• Usher Syndrome Family Center
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Emotional Health and Wellness Support
• Cochlear Implant Support
• Auditory Processing Disorder Services
• NY Pediatric Center
• Center for Hearing and Aging
• Family Resource Center
• Project PATH (Preschool Access to Hearing)
• Mobile Hearing Screenings
• Center for Hearing and Aging - Senior Resources
• Florida Telecommunications Relay Program
• ASL Instruction
• The Listening Studio
• Free Online Hearing Screening
• Educational Support
• Telehealth Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 20,000-50,000 individuals annually regardless of ability to pay
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration18 records

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Live NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLive Nation partnered with CHC and Eargasm to launch a hearing health initiative distributing high-fidelity earplugs across major tours, promoting hearing protection for concert-goers and raising awareness about hearing health in live entertainment settings.
• The Fairfield FundminorOthersThe Fairfield Fund provided a generous grant to establish and support the Usher Syndrome Family Center at CHC, enabling coordinated care and support services for families living with Usher Syndrome.
• Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.coreOthersCHC-FL partners with Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. to offer free amplified telephones to qualifying residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, or speech impaired.
• Miles Ahead Car Donation ProgramminorOthersMiles Ahead car donation program allows donors to contribute vehicles to CHC, with proceeds supporting CHC's programs and services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Children's Hearing Institute: NYC nonprofit providing pediatric audiology, hearing aid services, and family support for children with hearing loss. Highly comparable in pediatric audiology focus and nonprofit clinical model.
• Lexington School for the Deaf: NYC-based nonprofit serving deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adults with audiology, speech, and educational services. Directly comparable in mission, population served, and comprehensive service model.

Others

• AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: National nonprofit supporting listening and spoken language for people with hearing loss, with strong overlap in pediatric listening therapy and family education programs that CHC also provides.
• Oticon: Leading hearing aid manufacturer whose devices CHC dispenses. Functions as a supplier partner rather than competitor, but represents the broader hearing aid ecosystem CHC operates within.
• Starkey Hearing Technologies: Major hearing aid manufacturer and global hearing healthcare provider with retail clinics. Compares as a manufacturer/supplier ecosystem participant and as a vertically integrated hearing care operator.
• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA): National nonprofit advocacy organization for people with hearing loss. Comparable mission in supporting the deaf and hard-of-hearing community but focuses on education and advocacy rather than clinical service delivery.
• CaptionCall (by Sorenson): Provider of captioned telephone services for people with hearing loss. Listed as an integrated technology partner in CHC's offerings, representing an adjacent accessibility technology provider.

Broad incumbents

• Miracle-Ear: National retail hearing aid retailer with hundreds of locations across the U.S. Provides audiology services and hearing aids at scale with a sales-driven model, contrasting with CHC's nonprofit clinical model.
• New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai: Specialty hospital in NYC offering comprehensive otology and audiology services as part of a broader ENT practice. Comparable in audiology/otology services but as part of a larger hospital system with inpatient capabilities.
• Beltone: Major hearing aid retailer with a national franchise network offering hearing tests and device fittings. Comparable in delivering hearing healthcare to consumers but operates a commercial retail model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chchearing
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGAtb92vjzxDWtUMXMddpIw
• Facebookfacebook.com/chchearing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-hearing-and-communication
• Instagraminstagram.com/chchearing

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Hearing and Communication