The Speech and Hearing Center

What The Speech and Hearing Center does

The Speech & Hearing Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) healthcare organization founded in 1953 by the Siskin family in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It provides audiology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and hippotherapy services to patients of all ages, operating from a single clinic at 2212 Encompass Drive. The Center runs four hearing aid manufacturer lines (Phonak, ReSound, Starkey, Unitron) plus Sennheiser OTC devices, with 3-year warranties and accessory ecosystems; offers specialized diagnostic capabilities including real-ear verification, Vivosonic Integrity V500 wireless ABR testing without sedation, and pediatric Visual Reinforcement Audiometry; and sells assistive devices such as CapTel and CaptionCall captioned telephones. It also operates the Hear Chattanooga subsidized hearing aid program ($50-$200 on sliding scale) and the HearMobile mobile industrial OSHA hearing testing unit serving a 250-mile radius with CAOHC-certified technicians. The Center partners with Parkridge East Hospital for newborn screenings, conducts preschool speech and hearing screenings, and accepts major insurance plans alongside a sliding fee scale. Revenue is generated from clinical services, hearing aid retail, industrial testing, and donations/grants. In May 2024 it announced a merger with Signal Centers, effective July 2024, to combine two Chattanooga-area nonprofits serving individuals with disabilities.

Name

The Speech and Hearing Center

Legal name

The Speech & Hearing Center

Website

https://speechhearing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nonprofit Chattanooga provider of audiology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and hippotherapy for all ages, with retail hearing aids, mobile industrial OSHA testing, hospital newborn screening partnerships, and a sliding fee scale.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audiology and Speech Therapy Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices (CRACANAL), Speech Sound Disorders (Articulation/Phonology) Intervention (EDAKAEAD), Eye, Ear & Nasal Care (HLAIADAF)

Keywords

• Audiology services
• Speech language pathology
• Hearing aid fittings
• Occupational therapy
• Pediatric therapy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Clinical Patient Services: Direct revenue from audiology evaluations, hearing aid fittings, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy services provided to patients. Services billed to insurance or paid out-of-pocket with sliding fee scale for qualifying patients.
2. Hearing Aid Sales: Sale of hearing aids and devices from manufacturers including Phonak, ReSound, Starkey, and Unitron. Includes 3-year service warranties on all hearing aids. Revenue also includes accessories and connectivity products.
3. Industrial OSHA Testing: Mobile hearing testing services for manufacturing and industrial clients within 250-mile radius. Includes hearing tests, audiogram review, work relatedness evaluations, noise monitoring, employee training, and comprehensive OSHA-compliant reporting.
4. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible contributions from donors, grants, and planned giving. Donations offset costs of indigent care and low reimbursement rates from government-funded healthcare. A portion of every service or product purchase assists those who cannot afford therapy or hearing devices.
5. Financing Programs: Revenue from financing arrangements including hearing aid leasing program, CareCredit healthcare credit card processing, and PowerPay flexible financing plans for hearing devices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Speech & Hearing Center is a Chattanooga-based nonprofit that provides audiology, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy (including hippotherapy), and mobile industrial OSHA hearing testing. It sells hearing aids from Phonak, ReSound, Starkey, and Unitron alongside assistive listening products (CapTel, CaptionCall, OTC hearing aids) and runs the Hear Chattanooga subsidy program for low-income patients.

Product overview

The Speech and Hearing Center is a nonprofit healthcare organization offering a comprehensive suite of hearing and speech services. The core service portfolio includes four main categories: (1) Audiology Services encompassing hearing testing, hearing aid fitting with real-ear verification, hearing aid sales and service (Phonak, ReSound, Starkey, Unitron brands), newborn screenings, pediatric VRA, tinnitus treatment, and auditory processing disorder services; (2) Therapy Services including speech-language pathology (with SpeechEasy fluency device), occupational therapy, physical therapy, and hippotherapy; (3) Industrial/OSHA Testing via their mobile HearMobile unit; and (4) Assistive Products including CapTel and CaptionCall captioned telephones, OTC hearing aids, and hearing protection. The Center also operates the Hear Chattanooga assistance program providing subsidized hearing aids for low-income individuals. Products are available from major manufacturers (Phonak, ReSound, Starkey, Unitron) with 3-year service warranties, and include accessories like TV streamers, phone clips, wireless microphones, and smartphone apps.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hear Chattanooga: Hearing aid assistance program that provides life-changing devices to those who could not otherwise afford them, with devices available for purchase for $200 or less.

Products and services

• Audiology Services Comprehensive audiology services including diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aid selection, fitting with real-ear verification, repair and maintenance, tinnitus treatment, auditory processing disorder testing, newborn hearing screenings, pediatric VRA, and hearing protection products for patients from newborns to older adults.
• Speech-Language Pathology Speech and language therapy services addressing speech disorders, fluency (including use of the SpeechEasy fluency device), language disorders, voice production, and swallowing difficulties for patients of all ages; preschool screening program delivered at area preschools.
• Occupational Therapy Pediatric occupational therapy addressing physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges including sensory processing, activities of daily living, fine motor development, and self-care training for children from birth through adolescence.
• Physical Therapy Pediatric physical therapy providing comprehensive evaluations and therapy for delayed gross motor skills, muscle tone issues, gait abnormalities, strength, flexibility, and post-surgical rehabilitation, including outdoor sessions with Dr. Tara Yelliott.
• Hippotherapy Physical, occupational, and speech therapy utilizing the natural gait and movement of a horse to improve cognitive, neuromotor, and sensory input for patients with autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and related conditions.
• Newborn Hearing Screenings Hearing screenings for newborns using Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing with the Vivosonic Integrity V500 wireless system, without requiring sedation, delivered in partnership with Parkridge East Hospital.
• Pediatric Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) Specialized hearing assessment for infants and toddlers aged 4 months to 4 years using visual reinforcers (lighted toys in a dark Plexiglas box) to measure hearing sensitivity.
• Tinnitus Treatment Evaluation and treatment of tinnitus using hearing aids with masking features, white noise machines, sound therapy, and tinnitus retraining therapy.
• Auditory Processing Disorder Services Testing and treatment for auditory processing disorder (APD) including advanced listening tests by audiologists and individualized therapy delivered by speech-language pathologists.
• Industrial OSHA Testing OSHA-compliant hearing conservation programs using the mobile HearMobile testing unit traveling within a 250-mile radius, including hearing testing, audiogram review, work-relatedness evaluations, noise monitoring, mapping, employee training, and comprehensive OSHA-compliant reporting for manufacturing and industrial clients.
• Phonak Hearing Aids Full range of Phonak hearing aids including Audéo Lumity, Audéo Life (waterproof rechargeable), Virto Paradise (custom titanium), Bolero Marvel, and CROS solutions for unilateral hearing loss, accompanied by Phonak wireless accessories and the myPhonak app.
• ReSound Hearing Aids Complete ReSound product line including Nexia (next-era, Bluetooth Auracast), OMNIA (hearing in noise), and Key (essential level) hearing aids, with wireless accessories such as TV-Streamer+, Phone Clip+, Multi Mic, and the ReSound Smart 3D app.
• Starkey Hearing Aids Starkey hearing aids including Omega AI (with deep neural network directionality), Signature Series, and Edge AI, featuring health tracking, exercise and cognitive activity tracking, fall detection, and self-guided balance assessment, controlled via the My Starkey app.
• Unitron Hearing Aids Unitron hearing aids including Moxi All (direct streaming rechargeable), Moxi Fit R (world's smallest rechargeable), Stride, Max (super power), and Shine (affordable essential level) hearing aids with accessories, controlled via the Unitron uControl app.
• CapTel Captioned Telephones Captioned telephone displaying every word the caller says during conversations, with free captioning service and no monthly fees, for people with hearing loss.
• CaptionCall Revolutionary captioned telephone with 7-inch adjustable screen, customizable audio, free installation and training, and the CaptionCall Mobile iPad app for captioned calls on the go.
• All-Day Clear OTC Hearing Aids Sennheiser All-Day Clear ready-to-wear OTC hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, with mobile app for self-fitting and up to 16-hour battery life, available at the Center with an optional In-Clinic Care Package including consultation, warranty extension, and a 45-day risk-free trial.
• Custom Hearing Protection (Earmolds and Earplugs) Custom earmolds and earplugs for hunting/shooting, swimming/surfing, motorsports, and musicians, designed for comfort and superior hearing protection.
• Hear Chattanooga Program Nonprofit hearing aid assistance program providing devices for $50-$100 per device (up to two devices every five years) based on an income sliding scale, with no-charge initial fitting and two follow-up appointments within the first year, for adults 18+ who cannot afford market-rate hearing aids.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hear Chattanooga program provides hearing devices for $50-$100 per device versus market rate of $6,000+ per pair
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration19 records

AI capability9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• EPB (Electric Power Board)minorOthersEPB provided support for the HearMobile mobile hearing testing unit, sponsoring the vehicle wrap that transformed the mobile testing trailer from a plain white horse trailer to a mobile storefront with a bold, eye-catching design.
• Parkridge East HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to conduct hearing screenings on newborns at the hospital, including re-tests in the clinic for those who do not pass initially. Part of early intervention hearing healthcare.
• Bridge Refugee ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferred refugee patients for hearing evaluations. The organization connects refugees who need hearing healthcare with the center's services, including the Hear Chattanooga program for those who qualify.
• PhonakcoreTechnology or IntegrationHearing aid manufacturer partnership. Center offers Phonak products including Audéo Lumity, Audéo Life (waterproof), Virto Paradise, Bolero Marvel, and related accessories and wireless connectivity options.
• ReSoundcoreTechnology or IntegrationHearing aid manufacturer partnership. Center offers ReSound products including Nexia, OMNIA, and Key series hearing aids with wireless accessories and connectivity options.
• StarkeycoreTechnology or IntegrationHearing aid manufacturer partnership. Center offers Starkey products including Omega AI, Signature Series, and Edge AI hearing aids with advanced features and app connectivity.
• UnitroncoreTechnology or IntegrationHearing aid manufacturer partnership. Center offers Unitron products including Moxi All, Moxi Fit R, Moxi Now, Stride, Max, and Shine hearing aids with accessories.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Connect Hearing: National audiology chain (a Sonova-owned brand) providing hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and tinnitus care. Direct overlap with the Center's service mix in audiology and hearing devices.
• Miracle-Ear: National franchise-based audiology and hearing aid retailer offering hearing evaluations, fittings, and devices across hundreds of U.S. locations. Comparable to the Center's audiology and hearing aid retail services, though operates on a for-profit franchise model rather than nonprofit.
• HearingLife: Large audiology clinic operator with hundreds of locations across the U.S., offering hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and related services. Comparable core offering to the Center's audiology practice, but at national scale.
• Beltone: Established national hearing care brand with a network of independently-owned audiology offices offering hearing tests, hearing aids, and follow-up services. Overlaps directly with the Center's audiology diagnostic and hearing aid fitting services.

Emerging players

• Earlens Corporation: Hearing technology company offering a non-surgical contact hearing solution dispensed through audiologists. Comparable as a hearing aid manufacturer whose products the Center fits and dispenses.
• Lexie Hearing: Direct-to-consumer OTC hearing aid brand offering subscription and purchase models online. Represents the disruptive channel the Center has begun to address through OTC consultations and Sennheiser All-Day Clear offerings.

Regional players

• Blue Ridge Speech & Hearing Center (or comparable nonprofit): Mission-driven regional audiology and speech therapy providers offering audiology, speech, and hearing aid services on a sliding-fee scale. Closest analog to the Center's nonprofit, multi-service model in other geographies.
• Sound Speech & Hearing (and similar regional audiology nonprofits): Nonprofit audiology and speech therapy clinics serving other U.S. communities with a similar mission-driven, sliding-fee model. Comparable in structure and mission to the Center, though operating in different geographies.
• Pediatric Therapy Network (or comparable pediatric OT/PT/SLP clinic): Nonprofit or mission-driven pediatric therapy providers offering speech, occupational, and physical therapy for children. Comparable to the Center's pediatric therapy and hippotherapy service lines, though without the audiology focus.

Others

• Sonova / Phonak (parent): Global hearing aid manufacturer and owner of Phonak, one of the Center's primary hearing aid partners. Adjacent relationship as a vendor rather than a direct competitor, but shapes the competitive landscape and product roadmap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/speechhearingchattanooga
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thespeechandhearingcenter

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 The Speech and Hearing Center