The Optical and Hearing Centers

What The Optical and Hearing Centers does

The Optical and Hearing Centers is an independent, privately held multi-specialty healthcare practice operating four retail clinics across Northeast Pennsylvania (Matamoras, Stroudsburg) and Northern New Jersey (Newton, Oak Ridge). Founded approximately three decades ago, the practice employs 17 staff across both vision and hearing care disciplines, with six optometrists (O.D.s) trained at institutions including Salus University and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, and dedicated hearing specialists at each location. The company accepts most major insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, EyeMed, VSP, Davis Vision, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare, and offers CareCredit 12-month no-interest financing to support higher-ticket hardware purchases.

The practice generates revenue across two integrated service lines. Vision care revenue comprises professional eye exams (routine and medical), tele-optometry virtual consultations via a video slit-lamp platform, an on-site optical lab enabling same-day eyeglass production from an inventory of over 3,000 frames, contact lens dispensing (including CooperVision clariti 1 day, Bausch + Lomb INFUSE, and ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day), and LipiFlow thermal pulsation treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. Hearing care revenue includes comprehensive hearing exams with video otoscopy and real-ear measurements, hearing aid sales across RIC/BTE/ITE/ITC/CIC/IIC form factors (notably Starkey devices with AI health monitoring features), Nuance Audio Glasses combining eyewear with directional-microphone hearing support, and custom ear molds providing up to 25 dB noise reduction. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the four physical locations, an online contact lens ordering portal, and tele-optometry virtual visits.

The business operates as a founder- or locally-owned independent practice with no disclosed parent company, subsidiaries, institutional investment, or funding rounds. Geographic expansion has stabilized at four locations across two adjacent states, and the go-to-market motion is local/regional, anchored on SEO-optimized web presence, insurance acceptance, bilingual service (Spanish, Persian, Hebrew), evening and weekend hours, and same-day service conveniences rather than national brand-building. Payment processing is split across three PayEx merchant accounts by state, and financing is delivered through a CareCredit partnership rather than captive credit.

Name

The Optical and Hearing Centers

Legal name

The Optical & Hearing Centers

Website

https://opticalandhearingctr.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Optical and Hearing Centers is an independent, multi-location optical and hearing care practice operating four retail clinics in Northeast Pennsylvania and Northern New Jersey, offering comprehensive vision exams, tele-optometry, eyeglasses, contact lenses, dry eye treatment, and hearing aids to local consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision and Hearing Care Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132), Optical Goods Retailers (456130), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA), Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Retail (Glasses/Frames/Lenses) (HLAKAKAL), Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH)

Keywords

• Vision care services
• Hearing care services
• Prescription eyeglasses
• Contact lens fittings
• Hearing aid fittings

Headquarters

HQ city

Stroudsburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Eye Care Services: Comprehensive eye exams, medical eye exams, tele-optometry consultations, and refractive surgery workups billed to patients or insurance.
2. Hearing Care Services: Hearing exams, hearing aid fittings, custom ear molds, and hearing aid repairs and maintenance.
3. Eyeglass Sales: Sale of prescription eyeglasses and frames from inventory of over 3,000 frames. Includes lens options with coatings and specialty lenses.
4. Hearing Aid Sales: Sale and fitting of various hearing aid types (RIC, BTE, ITE, ITC, CIC, IIC) including Starkey technology hearing aids.
5. Contact Lens Sales: Sale of contact lenses including CooperVision clariti 1 day and Bausch + Lomb products. Online ordering available for annual supplies.
6. Financing Services: Partnered with CareCredit to offer 12-month no-interest financing for eyeglass, contact, and hearing aid purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Optical and Hearing Centers operates four retail optical and hearing care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania and Northern New Jersey, providing comprehensive eye exams, tele-optometry virtual consultations, prescription eyeglasses (over 3,000 frames), contact lens fittings and sales, LipiFlow dry eye treatment, hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and custom ear molds. The practice combines in-person clinical services with tele-optometry remote consultations and an on-site optical lab enabling same-day prescription fulfillment.

Product overview

The Optical and Hearing Centers is a multi-location healthcare practice offering coordinated vision and hearing services at four facilities in Northeastern Pennsylvania and Northern New Jersey. The company operates as a unified optical and hearing care platform providing eye exams (routine and medical), tele optometry virtual consultations, eyeglasses (over 3,000 frames), contact lenses (Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision clariti, ACUVUE), and dry eye treatment (LipiFlow) under the vision services umbrella. Hearing services include comprehensive hearing exams, hearing aids (RIC, BTE, ITE, ITC, CIC, IIC models including Starkey with AI features), Nuance Audio Glasses, custom ear molds, and hearing center support. The company maintains an on-site optical lab for same-day eyeglass production and accepts most insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, EyeMed, VSP, and Davis Vision, while offering CareCredit financing for payment flexibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eye Exams Comprehensive eye examinations using state-of-the-art technology to screen for conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, update prescriptions, and assess overall ocular health. For patients of all ages at four retail locations.
• Tele-Optometry Virtual eye care consultations via video conference, allowing patients to connect with board-certified optometrists remotely for eye exams and prescription renewals without visiting in person. Uses video slit lamp technology capturing high-definition anterior chamber images.
• Optical Center Full-service optical center providing vision care for teens, adults, and seniors with on-site lab capabilities enabling same-day prescription services for most prescriptions.
• Eyeglasses Extensive selection of over 3,000 eyeglass frames from leading brands with lens options including single vision, progressive, and specialty lenses with protective coatings.
• Contact Lenses Contact lens fittings and sales including daily disposables, toric lenses for astigmatism, and multifocal lenses. Brands include ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day, Bausch + Lomb INFUSE, and CooperVision clariti 1 day.
• Dry Eye Center / LipiFlow Treatment Advanced dry eye treatment using LipiFlow technology to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) by warming and massaging blocked oil glands in the eyelids using a single-use applicator.
• Hearing Exams Comprehensive hearing evaluations including assessments, video otoscopy, and real ear measurements to detect hearing loss and determine appropriate treatment.
• Hearing Aids Wide range of modern hearing aids including Receiver-in-Canal (RIC), Behind-the-Ear (BTE), In-the-Ear (ITE), In-the-Canal (ITC), Completely-in-Canal (CIC), and Invisible (IIC) models. Includes Starkey hearing aids with AI health monitoring features. 30-day free trial available.
• Nuance Audio Glasses Innovative audio-enabled glasses with built-in directional microphones and open-ear speakers designed for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, combining vision correction with hearing support. Available in Square and Panthos frame styles.
• Custom Ear Molds Custom-fitted ear molds providing up to 25 dB noise reduction for hearing protection, suitable for hunters, musicians, and industrial workers.
• Hearing Center Comprehensive hearing care center offering exams, hearing aid repairs for all makes and models, and ongoing support services across four locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million remote eye exams performed via tele-optometry platform
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Visionworks: National optical retailer (operated by VSP / VSP Vision) offering eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses across hundreds of locations. Comparable multi-site optical retail footprint with similar insurance-network orientation, including acceptance of major vision plans.
• Pearle Vision: Established multi-location optical chain (also owned by EssilorLuxottica) providing eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. Franchise- and corporate-store model mirrors the multi-site independent practice footprint of The Optical & Hearing Centers, with overlapping service mix and customer base.
• LensCrafters: One of the largest U.S. optical retailers (operated by EssilorLuxottica), offering eye exams, prescription eyewear, and contact lenses in hundreds of mall and street locations. Broad incumbent that competes on convenience, brand selection, and insurance acceptance in many of the same regional markets.
• For Eyes (now part of National Vision): National optical retailer offering eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses at multiple U.S. locations. Comparable multi-site independent-style retail mix; competes with independents like The Optical & Hearing Centers on selection, insurance, and convenience.
• Costco Optical: Optical departments inside Costco warehouses offering eye exams and prescription eyewear at aggressive price points. Indirect competitor that pressures eyeglass ASPs and draws value-oriented patients away from independents in the same geographic region.

Direct peers

• America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses: National value-oriented optical retail chain offering eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. Comparable multi-location optical retail model with bundled exam + 2-pair pricing, competing directly with The Optical & Hearing Centers for value-conscious eyewear customers in overlapping trade areas.
• Miracle-Ear: Large U.S. hearing aid retailer and audiology franchise network offering hearing exams, hearing aid fittings, and ongoing service. Directly comparable to The Optical & Hearing Centers' hearing aid service line and competes for the same 55+ demographic in overlapping geographies.
• Beltone: Long-established hearing care franchise network providing hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and custom fittings. Comparable to the hearing services side of the practice and competes for the same hearing-loss demographic in many of the same regional markets.

Emerging players

• Warby Parker: DTC-native eyewear brand combining online and physical retail for prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses, plus eye exams in many stores. Comparable on eyewear product and customer; differentiates via vertical integration, low price points, and digital-first convenience.

Others

• Starkey Hearing Technologies: One of the largest U.S. hearing aid manufacturers, supplying the Starkey brand carried by The Optical & Hearing Centers. Adjacent ecosystem participant whose product roadmap and provider-network economics directly shape the practice's hearing aid service line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-optical-and-hearing-centers

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Optical and Hearing Centers