Pacific Hearing Service

What Pacific Hearing Service does

Pacific Hearing Service is a privately held, independent audiology practice founded in 1977 and headquartered in California's Silicon Valley, operating two clinic locations in Menlo Park and Los Altos. The practice delivers comprehensive hearing healthcare services including five-step diagnostic hearing assessments (otoscopy, immittance, otoacoustic emissions, pure-tone audiometry, speech-in-noise testing), prescription hearing aid fitting and programming across all major manufacturers (Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Signia, Widex, Lyric, Earlens, Audina, Persona), tinnitus evaluation and management including the FDA-approved Lenire neuromodulation device, cochlear implant services launched in 2023, and remote audiology support. Services are delivered on an out-of-network, fee-at-time-of-service basis with payment due at the appointment.

The business is operated by 8 clinical audiologists supported by 3 audiology assistants, patient care coordinators, an operations manager, and administrative staff, totaling approximately 26 employees. Technology is built around manufacturer-supplied hearing aid platforms, Bluetooth and smartphone-app integrations (Signia TeleCare, Oticon Genie, SoundClip-A), tele-audiology remote adjustment workflows, and assistive listening accessories. The practice does not develop proprietary hardware or software, but positions itself on clinical expertise, manufacturer independence, and integrated care pathways.

Revenue is generated through professional service fees for assessments and clinical care, hardware sales of prescription hearing aids (with high ASPs typical of Silicon Valley's affluent demographic), device repairs and tune-ups, and ancillary services such as residential/home visits, cochlear implant mapping, and tinnitus treatment. Customer acquisition relies on physician referrals (Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Menlo Medical Clinic, Stanford Hospital), community reputation accumulated over 48 years, word-of-mouth, and humanitarian/community outreach via the affiliated 501(c)(3) Pacific Hearing Connection nonprofit and the Entheos audiology cooperative. Co-ownership transitioned in 2025 from founders Deborah Clark and Jane Baxter to Dr. Ariel Fruendt and Dr. Rachel Appleton, with no change in operating model or ownership by external investors.

Name

Pacific Hearing Service

Legal name

Pacific Hearing Service

Website

https://pacifichearingservice.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pacific Hearing Service is an independent audiology practice founded in 1977, operating two clinics in Menlo Park and Los Altos, California, and serving Silicon Valley patients with comprehensive hearing assessments, prescription hearing aids, tinnitus management, cochlear implant services, and remote audiology support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audiology Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices (CRACANAL)

Keywords

• Audiology services
• Hearing aid fitting
• Tinnitus treatment
• Hearing assessments
• Hearing healthcare

Headquarters

HQ city

Menlo Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Comprehensive Hearing Assessments: Diagnostic hearing evaluations including otoscopic inspection, immittance testing, otoacoustic emissions, pure-tone audiometry, and speech testing. Provided on out-of-network basis with payment due at time of appointment.
2. Prescription Hearing Aid Technology: Sale and fitting of prescription hearing aids from multiple manufacturers including Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Signia, Widex, and others. Hearing aids offered in multiple styles including IIC, CIC, ITC, ITE, RIC, and BTE.
3. Tinnitus Management: Personalized tinnitus evaluations and treatment including the FDA-approved Lenire device and sound therapy approaches. Hearing aids effective for 70% of tinnitus sufferers.
4. Hearing Aid Repairs and Tune-Ups: Repair services for all makes and models of hearing aids with loaner devices available. Technical support and maintenance for devices purchased elsewhere as well.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pacific Hearing Service is an independent audiology practice delivering comprehensive hearing assessments, prescription hearing aid fitting and programming from multiple manufacturers, tinnitus management including the FDA-approved Lenire device, cochlear implant services, hearing aid repairs and tune-ups, and remote audiology support. Services are delivered through two physical clinics in Menlo Park and Los Altos, California, with payment due at the time of appointment on an out-of-network basis.

Product overview

Pacific Hearing Service is an audiology practice offering a comprehensive suite of hearing healthcare services centered around hearing assessment and hearing aid technology. The core offerings include Comprehensive Hearing Assessments (diagnostic testing), Prescription Hearing Aid Technology (device fitting and programming), Tinnitus Management (including the FDA-approved Lenire treatment), Hearing Aid Tune-Ups, Hearing Aid Repairs, and Cochlear Implant Services. The practice expanded in 2024 with Hearing Club and Residential Services for homebound patients. A notable nonprofit arm, Pacific Hearing Connection, provides care to underserved populations, and the Hear for the Holidays program delivers free hearing devices annually. The practice is independent, working with all major hearing aid manufacturers to recommend the best solution for each patient.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Comprehensive Hearing Assessments

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.9-star average rating from 256 patient reviews
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Pacific Hearing ConnectioncoreOthers · 1 January 2016501(c)(3) nonprofit created by Pacific Hearing Service to provide hearing healthcare to Bay Area residents who are underserved and underinsured.
• Entheos Audiology CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Nationwide audiology cooperative committed to promoting best clinical practices, providing humanitarian services around the world, and creating local nonprofits to serve people who cannot afford hearing healthcare. Pacific Hearing Service is a charter member. Debbie Clark acts as president and Jane Baxter chairs the best practices committee.
• Lenire (Neuromod Devices)coreTechnology or IntegrationPacific Hearing Service now offers Lenire, the FDA-approved breakthrough treatment for tinnitus. This innovative device uses gentle sound therapy combined with tongue stimulation to retrain the brain and reduce the perception of ringing in the ears.
• PhonakcoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are offered at Pacific Hearing Service. Featured brand on hearing aid technology page with multiple patient testimonials.
• OticoncoreTechnology or IntegrationHearing technology solutions provider. Pacific Hearing Service offers Oticon hearing aids and utilizes their Brain Hearing technology approach and Genie fitting support.
• ReSoundcoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are offered at Pacific Hearing Service.
• SigniacoreTechnology or IntegrationFormerly Siemens hearing aids. Pacific Hearing Service offers Signia hearing aids with OVP platform, enhanced speech understanding, and rechargeability features.
• WidexcoreTechnology or IntegrationHearing aid manufacturer. Patient testimonial mentions Widex brand hearing aids fitted by Dr. Clark with positive outcomes.
• Lyric (Phonak Extended Wear)coreTechnology or IntegrationWorld's first extended wear hearing aid, 100% invisible, placed deep in ear canal by qualified audiologist. Battery changing/charging not necessary. Allows showering, phone use, exercising, sleeping without removal.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Eargo: Direct-to-consumer OTC hearing aid company targeting mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Comparable as a hearing-care provider; differs radically in business model (DTC/online vs. clinic-based) and disruptive to traditional audiology clinics.
• Lexie Hearing: OTC hearing aid brand sold online and through retail partnerships (Best Buy, Walmart). Comparable as a hearing-care provider targeting similar patient demographics; differs in distribution model and price point.

Broad incumbents

• HearingLife: Large multi-location audiology retail network (formerly AccuQuest) operating hundreds of clinics across the U.S. Comparable as a multi-site dispensing model; differs in being PE-backed and corporate rather than independent physician-led.
• Beltone: Hearing care retail network with hundreds of franchised locations across North America. Comparable as a multi-clinic dispensing and audiology services provider; differs as franchise and manufacturer-tied (GN Hearing).
• Miracle-Ear: Long-established franchise-based hearing aid retailer with ~1,500 locations. Comparable as a multi-clinic dispensing channel; differs as a franchise model and historically manufacturer-aligned.
• Connect Hearing (Sonova): Owned retail chain of Sonova (Phonak parent), representing the manufacturer-vertically-integrated model that PHS explicitly differentiates against. Direct competitor on service mix and patient demographics.
• Costco Hearing Aid Center: Big-box retail channel for prescription hearing aids at aggressive price points. Increasingly significant competitive threat to independent practices like PHS for price-sensitive patients.

Others

• Starkey Hearing Technologies: One of the 'Big Five' hearing aid manufacturers whose products PHS dispenses. Listed as an ecosystem participant (supplier) rather than direct competitor; relevant for understanding supply-side dynamics and pricing power.

Direct peers

• Audibel: Network of independently-owned hearing aid dispensing clinics affiliated with Starkey. Comparable as a multi-clinic dispensing model serving similar patient demographics; differs in manufacturer alignment.
• HearUSA: Multi-clinic audiology and hearing aid dispensing network with strong physician referral focus. Operates as a direct comparable on service mix (assessments, hearing aids, tinnitus) and patient acquisition model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacific-hearing-service

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Pacific Hearing Service