The Canadian Hearing Society

What The Canadian Hearing Society does

The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS), legally known as Canadian Hearing Services, is a Toronto-headquartered nonprofit charitable organization (registered charity number 106846926RR0001) founded in 1940 that serves as Canada's preeminent provider of clinical and accessibility services for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The organization operates a national network of hearing clinics offering free hearing tests for adults 55+ and fee-based testing for younger adults, alongside hearing aid consultation, fitting, and follow-up care for BTE (Behind-the-Ear) and RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) device types. CHS's service portfolio extends well beyond clinical care to include 24/7 on-site and remote ASL and LSQ (Langue des signes québécoise) sign language interpreting, translation and captioning services, mental health counselling (Connect Program), hearing care counselling for adults 55+, employment programs, deafblind services, and Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

CHS's product and technology footprint includes an e-commerce shop selling alerting systems, assistive listening devices, hearing aid supplies, amplified telephones, and emerging Bluetooth-based Auracast broadcasting systems and Soundfield Systems for workplace and public space accessibility. The core operational technology platform is Microsoft Dynamics 365, supporting CRM and back-office functions, and the organization offers a Virtual Service Delivery Platform that extends clinical and counselling services beyond physical clinic locations. CHS Global Partnerships, a wholly-owned subsidiary established in 2022, extends the organization's scope to international research funding in hearing health, auditory sciences, and deaf studies.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure combining fee-for-service revenue from hearing clinics and interpreting services, product sales through the retail shop, professional services revenue from ASL classes and accessibility consulting for businesses, and donations and fundraising including corporate sponsorships (CIBC Foundation, Element, Coco Group, Leith Wheeler, JRP) and the annual President's Scholarship Golf Tournament. The National Scholarship Program, launched in 2017, awards $3,000 (full-time) and $1,000 (part-time) scholarships to Deaf and hard of hearing post-secondary students, with 163 scholarships awarded cumulatively and a record 29 for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Name

The Canadian Hearing Society

Legal name

Canadian Hearing Services

Website

https://chs.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Canadian Hearing Society is a Toronto-based registered charity founded in 1940 that provides hearing healthcare, sign language interpreting, counselling, employment services, and accessibility products to Deaf and hard of hearing Canadians across a national clinic network, serving over 110,000 clients annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hearing Healthcare Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Translation and Interpretation Services (54193), Translation and Interpretation Services (541930)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audiology & Hearing Services (ENT-Affiliated) (HLAKAMAI), Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC), Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD)

Keywords

• Hearing healthcare services
• Sign language interpreting
• Audiology clinics
• Hearing aid services
• Accessibility solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hearing Healthcare Services: Revenue from hearing tests (free for 55+, $80 for under 55), hearing aid consultations, and personalized recommendations with follow-up care.
2. Product Sales: E-commerce sales of hearing aids, assistive listening devices, alerting systems, amplified telephones, and hearing aid supplies through the CHS shop.
3. Interpreting and Accessibility Services: Sign language interpreting services (on-site and remote), translation and captioning services for businesses and organizations.
4. Education Programs: American Sign Language (ASL) classes for individuals and groups, from beginner to advanced levels.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals and corporations, including the National Scholarship Program funded through the President's Scholarship Golf Tournament and other fundraising initiatives. Charitable registration number: 106846926RR0001.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Canadian Hearing Services is a registered charitable nonprofit that delivers hearing healthcare, sign language interpreting, ASL education, counselling, employment, and newcomer settlement services for Deaf and hard of hearing Canadians. It operates a national network of hearing clinics providing tests and hearing aids, an e-commerce shop for assistive listening and alerting devices, and 24/7 on-site and remote interpreting services for individuals, employers, and public-sector organizations.

Product overview

Canadian Hearing Services (CHS) operates as a service-oriented organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of hearing healthcare and accessibility services. The core offerings include hearing clinics providing hearing tests and hearing aid services (BTE and RIC types), sign language interpreting services (ASL and LSQ) available 24/7, and American Sign Language education programs. CHS provides counselling services including mental health support (Connect Program), hearing care counselling for adults 55+, and general support services. The organization also offers employment programs, deafblind services, and translation/captioning services for businesses. In terms of products, CHS operates a retail shop selling hearing aid accessories, alerting systems (visual/vibration alerts), assistive listening devices, amplified telephones, personal amplification devices (such as Bellman & Symfon), and workplace solutions including Auracast™ Systems and Soundfield Systems. Additional programs include the National Scholarship Program for Deaf and hard of hearing students and the LINC program for Deaf newcomers to Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hearing Aid Services Comprehensive hearing aid consultation, fitting, and follow-up care services including BTE (Behind-the-Ear) and RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) hearing aid types for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
• Hearing Tests Comprehensive audiological evaluations and consultations, free for adults 55+ and priced at $80 for younger adults. Available at CHS hearing clinics across Canada for patients aged 5 and older.
• Sign Language Interpreting Services On-site and remote sign language interpreting services available 24/7 for emergency situations, supporting ASL (American Sign Language) and LSQ (Langue des signes québécoise) for individuals and organizations.
• American Sign Language (ASL) Classes Beginner to advanced American Sign Language classes for individuals and groups, taught by expert Deaf instructors through immersive online instruction.
• Hearing Care Counselling Free counselling services for adults 55+ to help improve communication, manage hearing loss stress, and maintain social engagement.
• Mental Health Counselling (Connect Program) Mental health counselling services specifically designed for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
• General Support Services Social support services helping Deaf and hard of hearing clients achieve independence and manage daily life challenges.
• Employment Programs Job search assistance, resume building, interview preparation, and workplace accommodation support for Deaf and hard of hearing job seekers.
• Deafblind Services Specialized services for individuals who are Deafblind, supporting communication and independence.
• Translation and Captioning Services Translation and captioning services for businesses and organizations to ensure accessible communications for Deaf and hard of hearing audiences.
• Alerting Systems Visual and vibration alert devices for home safety, including doorbell alerts, alarm clocks, and fire alerts sold through the CHS shop.
• Assistive Listening Devices Personal amplification devices and TV listening accessories sold through the CHS shop to enhance conversational clarity for Deaf and hard of hearing users.
• Hearing Aid Supplies Cleaning supplies, batteries, and accessories for hearing aid maintenance sold through the CHS shop.
• Amplified Telephones Amplified cordless telephones with enhanced volume and clarity for accessible communication sold through the CHS shop.
• Auracast™ Systems Bluetooth-based Auracast audio broadcasting systems sold by CHS for workplace and public space accessibility.
• Soundfield Systems Professional Soundfield audio amplification systems sold by CHS for classrooms and meeting spaces to enhance speech clarity.
• Personal Amplification Devices Personal amplification devices such as Bellman & Symfon Maxi Pro sold through the CHS shop for clearer conversations.
• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Free Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program for Deaf newcomers, providing ASL and written English language training and Canadian life skills, funded by IRCC.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 110,000 Deaf and hard of hearing Canadians served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• March of Dimes CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026March of Dimes Canada employs a CHS client (Farah) who was supported through employment services. Represents a community partner supporting the employment outcomes of Deaf individuals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA): U.S. national nonprofit dedicated to hearing-loss advocacy, education, and support for people with hearing loss. Direct peer to CHS in mission and audience (Deaf/Hard of Hearing Canadians), differing mainly by geography (US vs Canada) and a stronger advocacy/education tilt versus CHS's clinical-services tilt.
• National Association of the Deaf (NAD): U.S. civil-rights organization of, by, and for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, providing advocacy, legal aid, and resources. Comparable to CHS in serving Deaf communities through non-clinical support and interpreting referrals, though NAD is advocacy-led rather than service-delivery-led.
• Sertoma Inc. U.S. nonprofit service organization funding hearing-health programs, scholarships for Deaf/HoH students, and assistive technology grants. Direct peer to CHS's scholarship and hearing-aid assistance mission, serving a parallel community north-vs-south of the border.
• Starkey Hearing Foundation: U.S. nonprofit founded by Starkey Hearing Technologies providing hearing aids and hearing healthcare to underserved populations globally. Comparable to CHS's hearing-aid/clinical services mission through a foundation model, with overlap in fundraising and awareness activities.
• Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell): U.S. nonprofit supporting listening, spoken language, and auditory resources for children with hearing loss. Comparable to CHS in education and advocacy focus but specialized on the listening/spoken-language segment of the Deaf community.
• Hearing Health Foundation: U.S. nonprofit funding hearing-loss and deafness research while providing public education. Comparable to CHS Global Partnerships' research-funding mandate and parallel to CHS's broader community-education and scholarship work, but focused primarily on research grants.

Broad incumbents

• Sorenson Communications: U.S. provider of video relay services (VRS), interpreting, and captioned telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Comparable to CHS's on-site/remote and 24/7 emergency interpreting business, but a much larger, for-profit incumbent with national relay infrastructure in the U.S.
• LanguageLine Solutions: Global on-demand spoken-language interpretation (and increasingly sign language) provider serving enterprises, healthcare, and government. Comparable to CHS's Interpreting & Accessibility Services stream (QuickAccess, on-demand, remote) at a vastly larger commercial scale.

Regional players

• ListenUP! Canada (WS Audiology): National Canadian hearing-healthcare clinic network and retailer owned by WS Audiology. Direct competitor to CHS's hearing-clinic network in the same Canadian geography, with a retail/DTC hearing-aid focus versus CHS's mission-driven clinical model.
• Connect Hearing (Sonova): Canadian hearing-care clinic chain owned by Sonova, offering hearing tests, hearing aids, and follow-up care. Direct Canadian competitor to CHS's hearing-clinic network within the same geography and core service mix, but operated as a commercial retailer rather than a nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CHSCanadaTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/chssco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canadian-hearing-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/canadianhearingservices
• Xx.com/cdnhearing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 The Canadian Hearing Society