Brookline Hearing Services

What Brookline Hearing Services does

Brookline Hearing Services is a privately-held audiology practice headquartered at 1842 Beacon St #403, Brookline, Massachusetts, serving the Brookline and Boston metropolitan area since 1981. The company provides comprehensive hearing healthcare services including comprehensive hearing evaluation (case history, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and tympanometry), hearing aid fitting and customization, in-house hearing aid repair and maintenance, earwax removal, and custom-molded hearing protection (industrial, musician's, swim, and sleep plugs). It also distributes assistive listening devices such as Phonak Roger remote microphones, CaptionCall captioned phones, TV listening devices, and FM systems.

The practice operates as a multi-brand reseller carrying hearing aids from six leading manufacturers — Widex, Starkey, Phonak, Signia, ReSound, and Oticon — across all major form factors (BTE, RIC, ITE, ITC, CIC). The clinical team is led by a licensed audiologist (Dr. Stacy Francis, UCONN Doctorate in Audiology), a Massachusetts-licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist (Suzanne Arick Rakov, owner), and a Director of Operations handling insurance billing across seven major carriers (BCBS, Tufts, Cigna, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim, Medicare, United Healthcare).

Brookline Hearing Services generates revenue through a hybrid professional services and hardware sales model: per-appointment audiology services, hardware sales of hearing aids and custom hearing protection products, and insurance billing for covered services. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer with appointment booking via phone, text, fax, online forms, and scheduled walk-in clinic hours. The business is family-owned with no disclosed external funding, having transitioned ownership from founding audiologists Judith Arick and Judith Chasin to current owners Suzanne Arick Rakov and Ashlie Schooler between 2011 and 2014.

Name

Brookline Hearing Services

Legal name

Brookline Hearing Services, Inc.

Website

https://brooklinehearing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Brookline Hearing Services is a family-owned audiology practice in Brookline, MA, offering hearing testing, hearing aid fitting and sales (six major brands), custom hearing protection, repair services, and assistive listening devices to adult patients across the Boston metropolitan area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audiology Services and Hearing Healthcare

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)

SIC

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

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 aids
• Hearing testing
• Custom hearing protection
• Assistive listening devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookline

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Audiology Services: Professional audiology services including hearing testing and evaluation, hearing aid fitting and customization, hearing aid repair and maintenance, earwax removal, and assistive listening device consultations.
2. Hearing Aid Sales: Sale of hearing aids from leading manufacturers including Widex, Starkey, Phonak, Signia, Resound, and Oticon. Products available in various styles (BTE, RIC, ITE, ITC, CIC) and price levels.
3. Custom Hearing Protection Products: Sale of custom-molded hearing protection including industrial earplugs, musician's earplugs, swim plugs, and sleep plugs tailored to individual ear anatomy.
4. Insurance Billing Services: Participating provider with multiple insurance companies including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tufts, Cigna, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim, Medicare, and United Healthcare. Processes insurance claims for covered services and products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Brookline Hearing Services is a locally owned audiology practice that provides comprehensive hearing healthcare services, including hearing testing and evaluation, hearing aid fitting and repair, custom-molded hearing protection (industrial, musician's, swim, and sleep plugs), and assistive listening devices. The practice dispenses hearing aids from six leading manufacturers (Widex, Starkey, Phonak, Signia, ReSound, and Oticon) in multiple styles and price levels, and bills participating insurance providers for covered services.

Product overview

Brookline Hearing Services is a hearing healthcare practice offering a comprehensive range of products and services. The core offerings include five types of hearing aids (Behind-the-Ear/BTE, Receiver-in-Canal/RIC, In-the-Ear/ITE, In-the-Canal/ITC, and Completely-in-Canal/CIC) from six major manufacturers: Widex, Starkey, Phonak, Signia, Resound, and Oticon. Services include hearing testing and evaluation, hearing aid fitting and customization, repair and maintenance, earwax removal, and custom hearing protection. Custom hearing protection includes industrial earplugs, musician's ear plugs, swim plugs, and sleep plugs. Assistive listening devices include Roger remote microphone systems, TV listening devices, FM systems, and CaptionCall captioned phones. The practice operates as a unified service portfolio where hearing aids are the primary products supplemented by comprehensive testing, fitting, repair, and assistive device services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hearing Testing and Evaluation Comprehensive hearing testing service measuring ability to hear different frequencies and volumes, assessing overall ear health, and providing detailed analysis of hearing loss. Includes case history, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and tympanometry. Performed for individuals suspected of hearing loss in the Brookline and Boston area.
• Hearing Aid Fitting and Customization Professional fitting service ensuring hearing aids are properly sized, fitted, and customized for optimal comfort and performance. Includes demonstration of insertion, removal, and cleaning techniques. Provided by licensed specialists for individual patients with hearing loss.
• Hearing Aid Repair and Maintenance In-house repair service for common hearing aid problems including cleaning, tube and earmold replacements, minor repairs, and troubleshooting. Addresses issues like weak sound, feedback, physical damage, and battery problems. Provided for existing hearing aid patients.
• Earwax Removal Gentle and effective wax removal procedure for impacted earwax that can affect hearing ability. Performed by experienced specialists to provide a comfortable, stress-free experience. Targeted at individuals whose hearing may be compromised by earwax buildup.
• Hearing Aids (multi-brand, multi-style) Dispensing of hearing aids from six leading manufacturers (Widex, Starkey, Phonak, Signia, Resound, Oticon) in styles including Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Receiver-in-Canal (RIC), In-the-Ear (ITE), In-the-Canal (ITC), and Completely-in-Canal (CIC), at multiple price levels. Devices feature Bluetooth connectivity, biometric tracking, AI-powered speech recognition, and waterproof designs. Sold to adult patients with hearing loss in the Brookline and Boston area.
• Custom Hearing Protection (Industrial, Musician's, Swim, Sleep) Custom-molded earplugs tailored to individual ear anatomy, available in four variants: industrial earplugs for high-noise occupational environments, musician's earplugs with sound-attenuation filters preserving sound quality, swim plugs to protect against water and bacteria, and sleep plugs for noise reduction during rest. Sold to individuals for hearing protection and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.
• Assistive Listening Devices Range of assistive listening devices including Phonak Roger remote microphone systems, TV listening devices, FM systems (transmitter plus receiver for hearing aids or cochlear implants), and CaptionCall amplified captioned telephones. Designed to improve speech clarity and communication in challenging listening environments for individuals with hearing loss.

Quantifiable outcome

• Patient satisfaction motto: Never give up until completely satisfied
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• WidexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWidex is one of the largest hearing aid manufacturers and a family-owned company. Brookline Hearing Services offers Widex hearing aids known for best-in-class sound quality and niche products for tinnitus. Widex has been responsible for countless breakthroughs in hearing aid technology.
• Starkey Hearing TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStarkey has been restoring hearing to individuals with hearing loss for over 50 years. The company focuses on the human element of audiology and offers a wide variety of hearing aid styles and specialized hearing devices to meet diverse patient needs.
• PhonakcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhonak is a globally trusted hearing aid distributor known for wireless and rechargeable products, as well as dust and water-resistant hearing aids. The company funds Hear the World charity providing hearing solutions to disadvantaged individuals.
• SigniacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSignia is a world leader in hearing aid technology operating in over 120 countries and providing custom-fit hearing devices to millions of people. Their hearing aids have been clinically proven to work better than natural hearing.
• ReSoundcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReSound offers some of the most varied hearing aid styles on the market including among the smallest and most powerful available. The company provides sophisticated digital technology meeting special needs of military veterans and others.
• OticoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOticon is a major hearing aid manufacturer whose products are offered by Brookline Hearing Services, providing patients with additional brand options for hearing solutions.
• Blue Cross Blue ShieldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrookline Hearing Services is a participating provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield, accepting insurance for covered audiology services and hearing aids.
• Tufts Health PlancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrookline Hearing Services is a participating provider with Tufts Health Plan, facilitating insurance coverage for patient services.
• CignacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrookline Hearing Services is a participating provider with Cigna, enabling insured patients to access covered hearing services.
• AetnacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrookline Hearing Services is a participating provider with Aetna insurance plans.
• Harvard Pilgrim Health CarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrookline Hearing Services accepts Harvard Pilgrim Health Care insurance for covered services.
• MedicarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrookline Hearing Services is a Medicare participating provider for eligible audiology services.
• United HealthcarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrookline Hearing Services accepts United Healthcare insurance for covered hearing services and products.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• Phonak: Global hearing-aid manufacturer and current brand partner of Brookline Hearing Services. Comparable as a hearing-aid industry participant whose Roger and Bluetooth-enabled devices are sold/fitted through the practice.
• Widex: Hearing-aid manufacturer and brand partner of Brookline Hearing Services, known for tinnitus products and sound quality. Comparable as an upstream product supplier whose devices are fitted at the practice.
• Starkey Hearing Technologies: Major hearing-aid manufacturer whose products Brookline Hearing Services resells. Comparable as a hearing-aid industry participant and partner, but operates upstream in manufacturing rather than clinical services.

Emerging players

• Lexie Hearing: Direct-to-consumer hearing-aid brand offering online fittings and OTC devices. Comparable as an emerging hearing-care channel competing for the same mild-to-moderate hearing-loss patients that Brookline Hearing Services serves.

Regional players

• Mass Eye and Ear (Massachusetts Eye and Ear): Boston-area specialty hospital with a leading Otolaryngology/Audiology department. Comparable as a regional hearing-care provider, but operates at academic-medical-center scale and complexity rather than independent practice.

Direct peers

• Miracle-Ear: Large national chain of franchised hearing-aid centers offering hearing tests, fittings, and sales across multiple brands. Directly comparable to Brookline Hearing Services in core offering, but operates at vastly greater scale across hundreds of U.S. locations.
• Beltone: Nationwide hearing-care retailer with audiology services, hearing testing, and proprietary plus third-party hearing-aid fittings. Comparable to Brookline Hearing Services as a multi-location audiology practice with a strong consumer brand.
• HearUSA: Network of audiology clinics providing hearing assessments, hearing-aid dispensing, and tinnitus care. Directly comparable in clinical service model and target patient demographic.
• Live Better Hearing + Balance: Multi-location audiology practice offering hearing tests, hearing aids, balance services, and custom hearing protection. Comparable in service mix and clinician-led model, with more locations in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S.

Broad incumbents

• Costco Hearing Aid Centers: In-store hearing-aid centers operating inside Costco warehouses with licensed audiologists/hearing-aid specialists offering tests and discounted hearing aids. Competes with Brookline Hearing Services for price-sensitive patients in the greater Boston area.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BrooklineHear
• Facebookfacebook.com/brooklinehearingservices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brookline-hearing-services-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Brookline Hearing Services