Columbia Basin Hearing Center

What Columbia Basin Hearing Center does

Columbia Basin Hearing Center is a privately held audiology practice founded in 1978 and headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, with additional offices in West Richland and Walla Walla. It provides comprehensive hearing healthcare services, including diagnostic audiological evaluations, hearing-aid fitting and ongoing maintenance, tinnitus evaluation and treatment, aural rehabilitation, cochlear and Baja device programming, pediatric testing (ages 4-18), custom-molded hearing protection, and CAOHC-certified industrial hearing screenings. The clinical team comprises three audiologists (Dr. Shannon Marie, Dr. Melanie Muhlestein, Dr. Cassidy White), a hearing instrument specialist, and two audiology assistants, supported by a practice manager and a brand and culture manager.

The practice monetizes through professional service fees, hearing-aid hardware sales (including an 'Engage' package priced to compete with big-box retailers), and adjunct product lines such as Lenire tinnitus devices, LACE AI Pro auditory brain-training software, and Nuance audio glasses from EssilorLuxottica. A direct-to-consumer online store sells hearing accessories and DEAFMETAL fashion jewelry at unit prices from $7 to $649.95. Distribution is primarily appointment-driven across three physical locations, supplemented by tele-health consultations (via a Tennessee-licensed audiologist), on-site industrial screenings for employers, and the online accessory channel. Marketing relies on community reputation, a Patient Ambassador referral program, patient testimonials, and Facebook presence rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Columbia Basin Hearing Center

Legal name

Columbia Basin Hearing Center

Website

https://columbiabasinhearing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Columbia Basin Hearing Center is a privately held audiology practice founded in 1978 serving southeastern Washington from three offices in Kennewick, West Richland, and Walla Walla. It provides hearing evaluations, hearing aids, tinnitus treatment, pediatric testing, and industrial screenings to individuals and employers in the Columbia Basin region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hearing Healthcare Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Audiology services
• Hearing aid fitting
• Tinnitus treatment
• Hearing protection devices
• Industrial hearing screenings

Headquarters

HQ city

Kennewick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

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. Audiology Services: Comprehensive audiological evaluations, hearing aid fitting, aural rehabilitation, tinnitus treatment, cochlear device programming, and pediatric testing services.
2. Online Store - Hearing Products: Direct sales of hearing accessories including hearing aid care products, ear drops, cleaning supplies, and DEAFMETAL fashion accessories. Products range from $7 to $649.95.
3. Hearing Aid Sales: Hearing aid devices across various budget ranges, professionally programmed and maintained. Offers 'Engage' packages matching big box pricing with professional medical care.
4. Industrial Hearing Screenings: CAOHC certified audiology assistants provide hearing screenings for companies, maintaining comprehensive records for employers.
5. LACE AI Pro Program: AI auditory training program available as standalone purchase ($250) or included with Better Hearing Plans when purchasing new devices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Columbia Basin Hearing Center is a private audiology practice delivering comprehensive hearing healthcare including diagnostic audiological evaluations, hearing aid counseling and fitting, tinnitus evaluation and treatment, aural rehabilitation, cochlear device programming, pediatric hearing testing, industrial hearing screenings, and custom hearing protection. The practice supplements clinical services with hearing care products and accessories sold through an online store and specialized programs such as LACE AI Pro auditory training, Nuance hearing glasses, and Lenire tinnitus treatment.

Product overview

Columbia Basin Hearing Center is a hearing healthcare practice offering comprehensive audiological services since 1978. Their core offering is a unified practice providing multiple service categories: diagnostic evaluations (comprehensive audiological evaluation, pediatric testing, cochlear/Baja programming), treatment services (tinnitus evaluation & treatment, aural rehabilitation, hearing aid fitting), and preventive care (industrial screenings, hearing protection devices). They supplement their service-based model with specialized products and programs including Lenire from Neuromod for tinnitus treatment, LACE AI Pro for auditory brain training, and Nuance audio glasses built by EssilorLuxottica. The practice also operates an online store featuring hearing accessories including DEAFMETAL jewelry, Sennheiser conversation devices, and cleaning/maintenance products from brands like Audinell, Rayovac, Hal-Hen, and Miracell.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DeafMetal: A brand of hearing accessory products including safety rings, earrings, pendants, and hear skin sheets sold through the online store.
• Nuance at CBHC
• LACE AI Pro

Products and services

• Comprehensive Audiological Evaluation Comprehensive hearing assessments utilizing cutting-edge diagnostic technology beyond basic screenings, evaluating auditory performance from brain to ears for adults experiencing hearing concerns.
• Hearing Aid Counseling, Fitting & Services Expert consultation connecting patients with ideal hearing technology, collaborating with top-tier vendors and offering options across various budget ranges, with meticulous programming and maintenance.
• Aural Rehabilitation Comprehensive support program for individuals seeking to enhance hearing through personalized assessments, innovative technologies, and compassionate care to improve communication and quality of life.
• Tinnitus Evaluation & Treatment Comprehensive tinnitus care led by Dr. Shannon Marie, a nationally renowned authority, featuring cutting-edge technology, specialized counseling, and aural rehabilitation to alleviate tinnitus distress.
• Hearing Protection Devices Custom-molded hearing protection solutions using high-end technology for law enforcement, hunters, and professionals exposed to loud occupational environments.
• Hearing Aid Cleaning & Repairs Device-related issue resolution including connectivity glitches, power concerns, and replacement parts, with in-office cleanings and humidity treatments to extend device longevity.
• Cochlear and Baja Evaluation, Programming & Mapping Presurgical mapping, counseling, and post-surgical care for Cochlear, Baja, and Advanced Bionics devices, ensuring optimal technology performance.
• Pediatric Testing Pediatric hearing testing and care for children ages four to eighteen, providing accurate assessment and treatment guidance for children's hearing health.
• Industrial Screenings Comprehensive hearing capability assessments for companies, conducted by certified CAOHC audiology assistants maintaining detailed records for organizational needs and compliance.
• Lenire from Neuromod A tinnitus treatment device offered as part of the practice's tinnitus relief management program.
• LACE AI Pro AI-powered auditory brain training program that strengthens the brain's ability to understand speech through adaptive exercises, available as a standalone $250 purchase or included with Better Hearing Plans when purchasing new devices.
• Nuance at CBHC Stylish glasses with built-in hearing aid technology designed for mild to moderate hearing loss, featuring discreet microphones and directional sound processing for conversations in noisy environments.
• DEAFMETAL Safety Rings Safety rings in silver, gold, pearl, and single gold band options designed for hearing aid users, priced from $50 to $75.
• DEAFMETAL Earrings Stylish earrings designed for hearing aid users, priced at $48 with options including Figaro Chain, Black Leather Clip, and Lonely Feather.
• DEAFMETAL Pendants Fashionable pendants for hearing aid users including Anchor, Flower, Fleur De Lis, and Butterfly designs, priced at $50.
• Sennheiser Conversation Clear Plus Self-fitting wireless earbuds with advanced sound processing designed for enhanced conversation clarity, priced at $649.95.
• PerfectClean System Professional hearing aid cleaning system priced at $140, with refill solution sold separately at $17.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helped thousands of patients find 'better living through better hearing' (Dr. Shannon Marie alone)

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Demant (Oticon): Major hearing aid manufacturer (Oticon, Bernafon, Sonic, Philips Hearing) that supplies devices CBHC dispenses; comparable as a hearing industry incumbent whose product roadmap affects CBHC's device mix.
• Sonova (Phonak): Global hearing aid manufacturer (Phonak, Unitron) whose products CBHC fits and programs; relevant as both upstream supplier and broader hearing industry incumbent shaping device availability and pricing.

Broad incumbents

• Miracle-Ear: One of the largest hearing aid retail chains in the U.S. with hundreds of franchised locations, directly comparable to CBHC as a multi-location audiology/hearing-aid retailer serving individual patients with diagnostic and device services.
• Beltone: National hearing care brand offering hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and ongoing care through a franchised network; competes with CBHC for the same adult hearing-loss patient with similar service-plus-device model.
• Costco Hearing Aid Centers: Big-box retailer operating in-store hearing aid centers that compete on price for the same hearing aid customers CBHC serves with its 'Engage' package; key competitive benchmark on pricing.

Emerging players

• Eargo: Direct-to-consumer hearing aid brand selling virtually-fit devices online; competes with CBHC for mild-to-moderate hearing loss patients who may opt for OTC-style convenience over in-clinic care.
• Neuromod Devices: Maker of the Lenire tinnitus treatment device that CBHC offers; relevant as a partner and as a potential standalone tinnitus-care provider that could disintermediate clinical practices.
• Lexie Hearing: OTC hearing aid company selling self-fitting devices with optional remote support; represents the DTC channel that pressures independent audiology practices like CBHC.

Regional players

• American Hearing & Speech Center: Independent audiology practices with similar multi-clinic, full-service hearing care models; representative of the regional independent audiology segment CBHC competes in.

Direct peers

• Audigy: Management group for independent audiology practices that provides shared back-office, vendor, and marketing services; directly comparable as it operates in the same independent audiology practice segment CBHC inhabits.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CBHCWW
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/columbia-basin-hearing-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Columbia Basin Hearing Center