Miracle-Ear Foundation
The Miracle-Ear Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that provides free hearing aids to low-income individuals through its Gift of Sound program, delivered via 1,500 Miracle-Ear franchise locations and mobile Miracle Missions across the U.S.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, MN, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Miracle-Ear Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Miracle-Ear Foundation
- Legal name
- Miracle-Ear Foundation
- Website
- https://miracle-earfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Miracle-Ear Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that provides free hearing aids to low-income individuals through its Gift of Sound program, delivered via 1,500 Miracle-Ear franchise locations and mobile Miracle Missions across the U.S.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Miracle-Ear Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hearing Healthcare Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices (CRACANAL), Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)
Keywords
Where Miracle-Ear Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis, MN
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Miracle-Ear Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Others, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Charitable Donations: Individual and corporate donations from supporters who contribute to help provide hearing aids to those in need. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with tax-deductible donations (EIN: 41-1677967).
- Fundraising Events: Revenue generated from events such as Strides for Sound Virtual 5K (raised over $35,000 in 2026) and Golf Invitational (raised over $115,000 in 2019).
- Gift of Sound Application Fee: A $200 non-refundable application fee for adult applicants (19 and older) to apply for services. Children under 18 are exempt from this fee.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Gift of Sound - No-cost hearing aids for low-income individuals |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Miracle-Ear Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Miracle-Ear Foundation's Gift of Sound program provides free, high-quality digital hearing aids (retail value $1,000–$4,000) plus lifetime follow-up care to low-income individuals with hearing loss who cannot afford hearing instruments. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 1990 (originally as the Miracle-Ear Children's Foundation), the Foundation serves both adults (with a $200 non-refundable application fee) and children in grades K-12, distributing more than 60,000 hearing aids over 35+ years.
Product overview
Miracle-Ear Foundation is a nonprofit organization operating primarily as a single program — the Gift of Sound® — which provides hearing aids and lifetime aftercare at no-cost to low-income individuals. Supporting the core program are awareness and fundraising initiatives including One Day Without Sound™ (hearing loss awareness campaign), Miracle Missions (community hearing aid distribution events), and Strides for Sound (virtual fundraising event). The organization does not operate a technology platform or software product; its offerings are service-based programs focused on providing hearing healthcare access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Gift of Sound Program
- Miracle Mission Community Events
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 31,000 lives transformed since 1990
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Miracle-Ear Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Miracle-Ear Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Miracle-Ear Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Grand Portage Health ServicecorePartnership with Grand Portage Health Service to deliver the Grand Portage Miracle Mission event. The event provided hearing aids and services to residents in this rural Minnesota community, where approximately one in five Minnesotans are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Miracle-Ear Franchise NetworkcoreNetwork of 1,500 independent franchise store locations that administer the Gift of Sound program, provide hearing evaluations, fit hearing aids, and deliver aftercare services to recipients.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Miracle-Ear Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Phonak Hearing Aid Foundation: Phonak (a Sonova brand) operates charitable initiatives and partnerships supporting hearing aid access for children and underserved populations globally. Comparable as another major hearing aid manufacturer's charitable arm with a hearing aid donation mission.
- Sertoma Inc. Sertoma is a national nonprofit service organization with a long-standing focus on hearing health, including the Hearing Aid Project which refurbishes and distributes donated hearing aids. Directly comparable as a hearing-focused nonprofit serving low-income Americans through a volunteer-driven distribution model.
- Starkey Hearing Foundation: Starkey Hearing Foundation is the most direct peer — also a U.S.-based nonprofit founded to provide free hearing aids to those in need, also backed by a major hearing aid manufacturer (Starkey). Comparable in mission (donated hearing aids to underserved populations globally) and in distribution model (partnering with manufacturer networks for fittings).
- Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF): Lions Clubs International Foundation runs hearing health programs globally including hearing aid distribution and screening events for underserved populations. Comparable as a major charitable organization with a hearing-aid donation mission and a vast volunteer service network.
- Hear Now / Starkey Cares (Help America Hear): The Hearing Aid Project by Sertoma and similar hearing aid donation programs serve the same low-income population with free or refurbished hearing aids. Directly comparable in beneficiary profile and service offering, though typically smaller in scale.
- Oticon Hearing Foundation: Oticon Hearing Foundation is a manufacturer-backed nonprofit that supports hearing care for underserved populations. Comparable as a hearing-aid manufacturer-affiliated charitable foundation providing hearing health services to those in need.
Emerging players
- Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA): HLAA is the leading U.S. consumer advocacy organization for people with hearing loss. Comparable audience (people with hearing loss) but focuses on education, advocacy, and support rather than direct hearing aid provision.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): ASHA is a professional association for audiologists and speech-language pathologists that also engages in public education and access-to-care initiatives. Adjacent peer as a related nonprofit in the hearing health ecosystem with shared professional networks.
Broad incumbents
- Miracle-Ear Inc. (parent retail brand): Miracle-Ear is the parent retail hearing aid brand with 1,500 locations across the U.S. that provides the distribution backbone for the Foundation. While not a peer in the charity sense, the Miracle-Ear brand amplifies Foundation reach and credibility — the same network enables both retail sales and Gift of Sound fulfillment.
Others
- National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA): NHCA is a nonprofit professional association focused on noise-induced hearing loss prevention. Thematically related to the Foundation's One Day Without Sound awareness campaign and mission to address hearing loss, though not a direct hearing aid provision peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Miracle-Ear Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceMiracle-Ear Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Miracle-Ear Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Miracle-Ear Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Miracle-Ear Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Miracle-Ear Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Miracle-Ear Foundation
What does Miracle-Ear Foundation do?
The Miracle-Ear Foundation's Gift of Sound program provides free, high-quality digital hearing aids (retail value $1,000–$4,000) plus lifetime follow-up care to low-income individuals with hearing loss who cannot afford hearing instruments. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 1990 (originally as the Miracle-Ear Children's Foundation), the Foundation serves both adults (with a $200 non-refundable application fee) and children in grades K-12, distributing more than 60,000 hearing aids over 35+ years.
Is Miracle-Ear Foundation a public or private company?
Miracle-Ear Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Miracle-Ear Foundation founded?
Miracle-Ear Foundation was founded in 1990. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Miracle-Ear Foundation based?
Miracle-Ear Foundation is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, United States, in the North America region.
How does Miracle-Ear Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Charitable Donations are the primary driver. The others are fundraising Events and gift of Sound Application Fee.
Who are Miracle-Ear Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Phonak Hearing Aid Foundation, Sertoma Inc., Starkey Hearing Foundation, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), Hear Now / Starkey Cares (Help America Hear) and Oticon Hearing Foundation. Emerging players are Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Miracle-Ear Inc. (parent retail brand) is listed as a broad incumbent. National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) is listed as an others.
Does Miracle-Ear Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Miracle-Ear Foundation.
What industry is Miracle-Ear Foundation in?
Miracle-Ear Foundation's product category is Hearing Healthcare Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAH, Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits, with a secondary code of CRACANAL, Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices. Its NAICS code is 813212 and its SIC code is 8300.