Hearing and Speech Center

What Hearing and Speech Center does

Hearing and Speech Center is a private, family-owned audiology practice headquartered in Marshall, Minnesota, with a second clinic in Worthington. The firm was acquired by Dr. Sharyce Baartman in October 2014 from founder Dr. Linda Grong and operates with approximately six staff, including two Au.D.-credentialed audiologists, a hearing instrument dispenser, an office manager, and patient care coordinators. It holds AudigyCertified status, one of only three such practices in Minnesota, granting access to AGX-branded hearing technology and a peer-reviewed clinical-quality framework.

The practice delivers a comprehensive hearing-healthcare portfolio. Core dispensing is built around the AGX hearing aid line, organized across four technology tiers (AGX3, AGX5, AGX7, AGX9) and six wearing styles — Invisible-in-Canal, Completely-in-Canal, In-the-Canal, In-the-Ear, Receiver-in-Canal, and Behind-the-Ear. Devices support Bluetooth streaming with iPhone and Android handsets and are fitted using real-ear measurement protocols. Adjacent clinical services include diagnostic hearing evaluations, tinnitus treatment, vestibular/balance therapy, pediatric hearing care, aural rehabilitation, earwax management, custom hearing protection, and in-ear musician monitors. Ancillary revenue is generated through accessories, batteries, and ear-cleaning products, supported by post-sale service contracts.

Commercially, the practice operates on a private-pay model and does not bill insurance, instead accepting HSA/FSA funds and CareCredit financing. Revenue mechanics combine one-time device sales, professional service fees, and recurring managed-service revenue from Warranty Plus extended-warranty plans ($150-$200) and ESCO ProtectionPLUS loss/damage coverage. Go-to-market is sales-led through in-clinic audiology consultations and supplemented by community-led outreach via seminars, local events, and social media engagement.

Name

Hearing and Speech Center

Legal name

Hearing and Speech Center

Website

https://hearing-speechcenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hearing and Speech Center is a private, family-owned audiology practice operating two clinics in southwestern Minnesota (Marshall and Worthington) that delivers hearing evaluations, AGX-branded hearing aids across multiple tiers and styles, tinnitus and balance therapy, and custom hearing protection for individual consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audiology and Hearing Healthcare Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiology & Hearing Services (ENT-Affiliated) (HLAKAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH), Otology & Neurotology (Ear/Hearing/Balance) (HLAKAMAC), Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices (CRACANAL)

Keywords

• Audiology services
• Hearing aid dispensing
• Tinnitus treatment
• Balance therapy
• Hearing healthcare

Headquarters

HQ city

Marshall

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hearing Aid Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling hearing aids across multiple styles and technology levels. Devices are sourced directly from manufacturers with no private labeling, ensuring patients can access adjustments and service anywhere
2. Clinical Services: Revenue from hearing tests, tinnitus treatment, balance treatment, earwax management, aural rehabilitation, child hearing treatment, and hearing aid repairs
3. Hearing Aid Accessories: Sales of hearing aid accessories including cleaning products, streaming devices, apps, assistive listening devices, and hearing aid batteries
4. Extended Warranty Plans: Extended warranty protection plans offered through Audigy Group - One Year Coverage for $150 and Two Years Coverage for $200
5. ProtectionPLUS Insurance: Loss and accidental damage insurance coverage for hearing instruments, provided through partnership with ESCO via Audigy Group

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hearing and Speech Center provides comprehensive diagnostic hearing care and hearing aid dispensing services. The practice sells AGX-brand hearing aids across four technology tiers and six wearing styles, performs hearing tests, and offers tinnitus treatment, balance therapy, earwax management, aural rehabilitation, pediatric hearing services, and hearing aid repairs.

Product overview

Hearing and Speech Center offers a comprehensive hearing healthcare product and service portfolio centered on AGX Hearing technology. The core offering consists of four hearing aid technology tiers (AGX9, AGX7, AGX5, AGX3) tailored to different lifestyle needs from active to very quiet, available in six wearing styles (Invisible-in-Canal, Completely-in-Canal, In-the-Canal, In-the-Ear, Receiver-in-Canal, Behind-the-Ear). These are supported by professional services including hearing tests, tinnitus treatment, balance treatment, aural rehabilitation, and child hearing treatment. The product ecosystem extends to accessories (cleaning products, assistive listening devices, batteries), custom hearing protection and musician monitors, plus protective services (Warranty Plus extended warranty, Protection Plus insurance). Financing is available through CareCredit partnership, and HSA/FSA funds are accepted.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Audigy Certified Practice: Practice certification recognizing expertise measured by commitment to patient satisfaction, continuing education, and expert application of current hearing technology.
• AGX Hearing
• Baartman Hearing and Speech Center

Products and services

• Hearing Tests
• Tinnitus Treatment
• Child Hearing Treatment
• Hearing Aid Repairs
• Balance Treatment
• Aural Rehabilitation
• Earwax Management
• Custom Hearing Protection
• Musician Monitors and Custom Earbuds
• AGX9 Hearing Aid
• AGX7 Hearing Aid
• AGX5 Hearing Aid
• AGX3 Hearing Aid
• Assistive Listening Devices
• Hearing Aid Cleaning and Care Products
• Hearing Aid Batteries
• Warranty Plus
• Protection Plus
• Captioned Phones
• Hearing Aid Financing

Quantifiable outcome

• Better hearing and improved quality of life reported by patients
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Audigy GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHearing and Speech Center is an AudigyCertified practice with exclusive access to AGX Hearing technology. Audigy Group provides practice management support, continuing education, and certification standards. Only three Audigy Certified practices exist in Minnesota.
• CareCreditsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare credit card partner enabling patients to finance hearing aids and hearing care services through monthly payment plans for purchases over $200.
• ESCOsupportingOthersInsurance provider partnered through Audigy Group to offer ProtectionPLUS coverage for hearing instruments, covering loss and accidental damage replacement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Audigy Group: Strategic partner and practice management consortium whose Audigy Certified designation and AGX Hearing technology platform underpin Hearing and Speech Center's differentiation — operates as an enabling network rather than a direct competitor.
• Starkey: Major U.S. hearing aid manufacturer whose products and technology are sold through independent audiologists — competes indirectly via product availability and brand, plus operates its own retail network in some markets.

Direct peers

• Miracle-Ear: One of the largest U.S. hearing aid retail networks with hundreds of franchised locations offering hearing tests, hearing aid fittings, and follow-up care — directly comparable service mix and patient journey to Hearing and Speech Center.
• Beltone: National hearing care retailer and hearing aid manufacturer with franchised offices providing diagnostic testing, fitting, and service — directly competes with independent audiology practices on the same patient offerings.
• HearUSA: Multi-state network of hearing care centers offering audiology services, hearing aids, and tinnitus treatment — competes for the same private-pay and insured patient segments with similar clinic-based delivery.
• Connect Hearing: National audiology clinic network (owned by Sonova) providing hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and ongoing care — comparable multi-location clinic model and patient offering.
• NuEar: Hearing aid brand and affiliated retail network offering clinic-based hearing care — comparable product/service mix to independent audiology practices in similar community settings.

Broad incumbents

• Costco Hearing Aid Centers: Big-box retailer offering hearing tests and hearing aids at discount prices with on-site audiologists — represents a meaningful pricing and convenience threat to independent audiology practices.

Emerging players

• Lexie Hearing: Direct-to-consumer hearing aid brand selling OTC-style hearing aids online with remote support — competes for price-sensitive and younger hearing-impaired consumers outside the traditional clinic channel.
• Jabra Enhance (Lively): DTC/online hearing aid brand offering remotely fitted devices with audiology support — represents the online channel encroaching on clinic-based audiology models.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SharyceMarieAudiology
• Facebookfacebook.com/HearingandSpeechCenter
• Xx.com/HearSpeechCtr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hearing-and-speech-center

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Hearing and Speech Center