AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

What AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing does

AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (legal name: Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1890 by Alexander Graham Bell and headquartered at 3417 Volta Place NW, Washington, D.C. It supports families of children with hearing loss and the professionals who serve them, with a specific focus on listening and spoken language (LSL) outcomes. Core programmatic assets include the Listen-Learn-Link bilingual (English/Spanish) parent hotline launched in 2018, the AG Bell Academy's internationally recognized Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS) certification, a searchable LSL Professional Directory, financial aid and scholarships for hearing technology and therapy, the Volta Voices magazine and Volta Review peer-reviewed research journal, and youth programs LOFT (since 1996), LEAP, and Bridging Futures. The organization also operates 40+ U.S. state chapters, AG Bell International in Europe, and a network of international affiliates, and advocates on early intervention policy including LEAD-K legislation passed in 21 states.

The business model is a nonprofit hybrid of free family membership (no revenue), paid annual professional membership (subscription) conferring CEUs, directory listing, exam discounts, and event discounts, individual and foundation donations, and corporate "Cradle to Career" sponsorships from cochlear implant and hearing aid manufacturers including Cochlear, Advanced Bionics, and GN ReSound. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: local chapters, peer referrals, the parent hotline, the annual Global Listening and Spoken Language Virtual Symposium (with 2026 on-demand extension), parent chat webinars, and bilingual content across website, social, and Volta Voices drive engagement. Customer segments span families of children with hearing loss (primary), LSL professionals, teens and young adults who are deaf or hard of hearing, and state chapters as operational business units.

Governance is via a Board of Directors chaired by Ken Levinson, CPA, with CEO Emilio Alonso-Mendoza, J.D., CFRE, and a separately chartered AG Bell Academy Board chaired by Ulrika Lofkvist of Uppsala University. Subsidiaries include AG Bell International (Europe operations) and AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language (LSLS certification). Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the organization employs 11-50 staff and has no parent company, institutional investors, or funding rounds on record.

Name

AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Legal name

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Website

https://agbell.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1890 that supports families of children with hearing loss and listening/spoken language professionals through a parent hotline, LSLS certification, financial aid, advocacy, and youth leadership programs across 40+ U.S. state chapters and international affiliates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Deaf/Hard of Hearing & Vision Services (Audiology, Interpreting, Orientation & Mobility) (EDAJAKAI)

Keywords

• Deaf hard of hearing support
• Listening spoken language
• Hearing loss advocacy
• LSLS certification
• Hearing loss resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Free family membership with optional professional membership providing CEUs, exam fee discounts, event discounts, directory listings, and access to professional resources. Professional membership supports the organization's operations.
2. Donations and Contributions: Charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting the organization's mission and programs.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Cradle to Career Partners including Cochlear, Advanced Bionics, and other hearing technology companies provide sponsorship support for programs including the new parent hotline and youth internships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides education, advocacy, community programs, and professional certification for people with hearing loss and the professionals who serve them. It funds and operates programs such as Listen-Learn-Link (a new parent hotline), LOFT (Leadership Opportunities For Teens), LEAP (Learning Experience & Adventure Program), Bridging Futures, and financial aid/scholarships, while the AG Bell Academy certifies Listening and Spoken Language Specialists (LSLS) and maintains an LSL Professional Directory.

Product overview

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of advocacy, education, and community support programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the Listen-Learn-Link New Parent Hotline for early intervention support, the LSL Professional Directory for finding certified specialists, financial aid programs, and advocacy resources. Youth programs include LOFT (Leadership Opportunities for Teens), LEAP (Learning Experience & Adventure Program) for middle schoolers, and Bridging Futures. The association publishes Volta Voices magazine and the Volta Review research journal, operates the AG Bell Academy for professional certification, and hosts an annual Global Symposium. State chapters across the U.S. and international affiliates extend community reach worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AG Bell Academy LSLS Certification The AG Bell Academy's Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS) credentialing program, providing initial certification and recertification for professionals who teach children with hearing loss to listen and speak. Target audience: teachers of the deaf, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and early intervention providers.
• LSL Professional Directory Searchable online directory of AG Bell Academy certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialists, allowing families to find qualified LSL professionals. Target audience: families of children with hearing loss seeking LSL services.
• Listen-Learn-Link New Parent Hotline A hotline/support service connecting parents of newly identified infants and children with hearing loss to trained parent consultants who provide information and emotional support. Target audience: parents and caregivers at the point of a child's hearing loss diagnosis.
• LOFT (Leadership Opportunities For Teens) A leadership development program for teens who are deaf or hard of hearing. Target audience: high-school-age participants in the AG Bell community.
• LEAP (Learning Experience & Adventure Program) A free virtual program providing educational and experiential content for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Target audience: children with hearing loss and their families.
• Bridging Futures A community/transition program supporting deaf and hard of hearing young adults and families through life-stage transitions. Target audience: young adults in the AG Bell community.
• Young Leaders Network A network and community for young leaders in the AG Bell community, including the Young Leaders Board. Target audience: deaf and hard of hearing young adults.
• AG Bell Global Symposium on Listening and Spoken Language An annual conference bringing together families, professionals, and researchers in the LSL community for education, networking, and presentations. Target audience: families, LSLS professionals, researchers, and partners.
• Volta Voices (Member Magazine) A periodic member magazine covering LSL topics, family stories, and Association news. Target audience: AG Bell members, primarily through the family membership.
• The Volta Review (Research Journal) A peer-reviewed academic journal on listening and spoken language for children with hearing loss. Target audience: researchers, LSLS professionals, and educators.
• AG Bell Financial Aid and Scholarships Financial assistance and scholarships to help families access listening and spoken language services, technologies, and educational programs. Target audience: families of children with hearing loss and students pursuing LSL-related education.
• Advocacy Toolkits and Public Policy Resources Toolkits and resources supporting advocacy for the rights and services of deaf and hard of hearing individuals at federal, state, and local levels. Target audience: families, self-advocates, and partner organizations.
• AG Bell State Chapters Network A network of U.S. state-level AG Bell chapters delivering local programming, support groups, and events for families and professionals. Target audience: families and professionals at the state/community level.
• AG Bell Global Connections An international network extending AG Bell's LSL mission and resources to families and professionals outside the United States. Target audience: international families and professionals in the LSL community.
• AG Bell Family Membership A free membership tier providing families of children with hearing loss access to AG Bell programs, resources, publications, and community. Target audience: families and caregivers of deaf/hard of hearing individuals.
• AG Bell Professional Membership A paid annual membership providing LSL professionals access to continuing education, The Volta Review, member benefits, and the broader AG Bell professional community. Target audience: LSLS professionals and related practitioners.
• AG Bell Resource Library and Educational Materials A library of LSL-focused materials, guides, and educational content for families and professionals supporting children and adults with hearing loss. Target audience: families, professionals, and self-advocates.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 95% of newborns in the U.S. are now screened for hearing loss
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GN ReSoundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2018GN ReSound partnered with AG Bell to launch the Listen-Learn-Link new parent hotline as part of the Cradle to Career initiative. The hotline provides resources and support for families of children newly identified with hearing loss.
• CochlearcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCochlear is a Cradle to Career Partner supporting AG Bell's new parent hotline and overall mission. The partnership exemplifies Cochlear's commitment to supporting parents from the moment they learn about their child's hearing loss into adulthood and beyond. Cochlear provides sponsorship support for programs supporting families of children with hearing loss.
• Advanced BionicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced Bionics is a Cradle to Career Partner supporting AG Bell's initiatives. The partnership supports the Cradle to Career initiative's focus on the long-term advancement of Listening and Spoken Language.
• TD BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTD Bank delivered outstanding financial literacy sessions to teens at LOFT 2026 program. TD Bank team presented on leadership and finding their voice as part of the LOFT leadership program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hands & Voices: U.S. nonprofit supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing regardless of communication mode. Directly comparable mission to AG Bell's family-support programming, but ideologically communication-mode-neutral rather than LSL-exclusive.
• Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech: Nonprofit organization providing listening and spoken language education and therapy services for children with hearing loss. Directly comparable in LSL methodology focus and serves an overlapping population of families and professionals.
• CID - Central Institute for the Deaf (now CID at Washington University): Historic nonprofit institution providing listening, speech, and language education for children with hearing loss. Shares AG Bell's LSL educational mission and serves overlapping professional and family audiences.
• American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC): National nonprofit dedicated to supporting deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. Closely comparable to AG Bell in mission (deaf children + families), but explicitly sign-language-and-bilingual oriented rather than LSL-focused.
• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA): U.S. nonprofit representing people with all degrees and types of hearing loss. Comparable as a peer advocacy and education nonprofit serving a similar population, but with broader (adult-focused) scope and no LSL-specialist certification program.
• National Association of the Deaf (NAD): The largest U.S. civil-rights organization of, by, and for deaf and hard of hearing people. Directly comparable as a national nonprofit advocacy organization serving the same population as AG Bell, but with a sign-language-first orientation rather than LSL focus.
• BEGINNINGS For Parents of Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing: A North Carolina-based nonprofit providing parent support and early intervention for families of deaf and hard of hearing children. Comparable in function (parent support hotlines, early intervention resources) and is even staffed by a former AG Bell executive (Joni Alberg).

Broad incumbents

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): The largest U.S. professional association for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Comparable as a broader professional credentialing body that competes for the same professional membership base that AG Bell's LSLS certification targets.
• American Academy of Audiology (AAA): U.S. professional organization for audiologists. Overlapping professional audience with AG Bell's LSLS-certified specialists and broader scope covering adult and pediatric audiology.

Emerging players

• Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center (Gallaudet): Federally funded national center providing deaf education resources. Comparable as a deaf-education advocacy and resource provider, though sign-language-bilingual oriented and federally supported rather than member/donor funded.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AGBellAssoc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@A.G.BellAssociation
• Facebookfacebook.com/AGBellAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ag-bell-association-for-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing
• Instagraminstagram.com/agbellassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries2 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 AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing