Hearing & Speech Foundation

What Hearing & Speech Foundation does

Hearing & Speech Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1981 and based in East Tennessee, providing hearing aids and hearing healthcare services to individuals in the region regardless of their financial resources. Its service mix includes financial assistance for hearing aid acquisition, distribution of recycled/refurbished hearing aids, hearing tests, fittings, and retail hearing aid sales, alongside a dedicated research program launched in 2019.

The foundation operates a hybrid funding and service model. Revenue and in-kind resources are sourced from individual one-time donations ($25-$2,500 tiers), recurring monthly contributions ($5-$20), corporate sponsorships, in-kind recycled hearing aid contributions, and retail hearing aid sales. Distribution is executed through direct service delivery in East Tennessee and referral pipelines built through partnerships with corporate donors (Axle Logistics, Home Federal Bank) and the United Way of Blount County. The organization maintains a multi-platform social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) to support fundraising and awareness, and was recognized with the East Tennessee PBS Be More Award in 2019.

The strategic positioning is that of a regional safety-net provider in hearing healthcare, addressing a market gap where uninsured or under-insured individuals cannot afford retail hearing aids. Long operational tenure (40+ years) and institutional partnerships form the basis of its donor and recipient relationships, while the recycled hearing aids program adds an in-kind supply chain that scales donations into programmatic output.

Name

Hearing & Speech Foundation

Legal name

The Hearing & Speech Foundation

Website

https://hsfweb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hearing & Speech Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1981 providing hearing aids, hearing tests, fittings, and recycled hearing aid distribution to individuals in East Tennessee regardless of financial resources, supported by donations, corporate sponsorships, and retail sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Profit Audiology and Hearing Aid Assistance Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices (CRACANAL)

Keywords

• Hearing aid assistance
• Nonprofit audiology services
• Recycled hearing aids
• Hearing healthcare access
• Charitable hearing support

Headquarters

HQ city

Maryville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from community donors supporting the organization's mission to provide hearing aids and services to those in need. Donation options range from $5 monthly recurring to $2,500 one-time contributions.
2. Hearing Aid Sales: Sale of high-quality hearing aids with follow-up care. Purchasers support the organization's mission while receiving quality hearing aids and professional services.
3. Recycled Hearing Aids Program: Donated hearing aids are processed and provided to those in need as in-kind contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Hearing & Speech Foundation provides hearing aids and audiology services to individuals in East Tennessee regardless of financial resources. Core offerings include Hearing Aid Financial Assistance for those who cannot afford devices, a Recycled Hearing Aids program that refurbishes and redistributes donated devices, hearing tests, and hearing aid fittings delivered by licensed clinical staff. The organization also sells high-quality hearing aids with follow-up care, with proceeds supporting its charitable mission.

Product overview

The Hearing & Speech Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a unified suite of hearing healthcare services centered around hearing aid assistance programs. The core offerings include Hearing Aid Financial Assistance (providing aids to those in need regardless of financial constraints) and the Recycled Hearing Aids Program (accepting and redistributing donated devices). Supporting clinical services include Hearing Tests and Hearing Aid Fittings performed by licensed professionals. The organization also provides Hearing Aids for Purchase for those able to pay, with proceeds supporting the mission. A Research Program advances hearing and speech science, while Hearing Loss Resources offer educational support. The Make-a-Donation platform enables tax-deductible contributions at various levels ($5-$2,500) to fund these services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hearing Aid Financial Assistance Program providing hearing aids and services to individuals in need regardless of financial situation, serving those unable to afford hearing aids through financial support.
• Recycled Hearing Aids Program Program accepting donated hearing aids as in-kind contributions, refurbishing and redistributing them to individuals who cannot afford new devices.
• Hearing Tests

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Axle LogisticscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProud supporter of The Hearing & Speech Foundation. Logo displayed on website as a key supporting partner. Contributes to the organization's mission to provide hearing assistance to those in need.
• United Way of Blount CountycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey community partner supporting The Hearing & Speech Foundation. Logo displayed on website as a supporting organization. Provides community-based support for hearing aid assistance programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Sertoma Inc. National non-profit organization focused on hearing health through service clubs, including hearing aid assistance and aural rehabilitation programs. Compares directly as a non-profit peer in the hearing-aid assistance space, with overlapping donor and volunteer models.
• Miracle-Ear Foundation: Charitable arm of Miracle-Ear providing hearing aids to individuals with limited financial resources. Compares as a direct peer providing hearing-aid financial assistance through a manufacturer-backed non-profit model, with similar pay-it-forward ethos.

Emerging players

• Audicus: DTC online hearing aid retailer offering affordable hearing aids directly to consumers. Compares as a partial peer because Hearing & Speech Foundation sells hearing aids at retail, though Audicus operates a private, for-profit DTC model targeting the same price-sensitive hearing-loss demographic.
• Lexie Hearing: Direct-to-consumer hearing aid subscription service offering affordable hearing aids to consumers nationwide. Compares as a partial peer in the affordable hearing-aid retail arena, though Lexie is a venture-backed for-profit serving a broader geography.

Broad incumbents

• Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA): National consumer advocacy non-profit supporting people with hearing loss through education, advocacy, and support. Compares as a peer operating in the hearing-loss support ecosystem, with greater scale and national visibility but a different primary mission (advocacy vs. direct aid).
• Starkey Hearing Foundation: National and global non-profit founded by the Starkey hearing aid manufacturer, providing hearing aids to those in need worldwide. Compares as a much larger, globally-scaled peer operating the same charitable hearing-aid-distribution model, with substantially greater funding and reach.
• Lions Clubs International Foundation (Hearing Aid Program): Global service organization running one of the largest hearing aid recycling and assistance programs worldwide. Compares as a major peer in the hearing-aid charity space, with much broader geographic reach and far greater organizational scale.

Others

• AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: National nonprofit organization supporting listening, learning, and spoken language for people with hearing loss. Compares as a thematic peer in the hearing-loss support and education ecosystem, with overlap in serving individuals with hearing impairment, though focused on listening/spoken language rather than hearing-aid distribution.
• Costco Hearing Aid Centers: Retail hearing aid service operated by Costco Wholesale, offering affordable hearing aids and fittings. Compares as an adjacent player in the affordable hearing-aid distribution space, addressing the same price-sensitive hearing-loss market through a very different for-profit retail model.

Regional players

• The Hearing Foundation (Canada) / Hear For All: Non-profit charitable organization providing hearing aids and hearing healthcare to underserved populations. Compares as a peer in the hearing-aid charity space with similar mission structure, though serving a different national geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheHearingandSpeechFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hearing-speech-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/thehearingandspeechfoundation
• TikToktiktok.com/@hearingandspeech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Hearing & Speech Foundation