Who We Are

Established in December 1997, the Dallas Hearing Foundation (DHF) embarked on a mission to address the critical needs of the deaf, particularly children, by providing advanced and specialized treatments for hearing loss. At its inception, DHF encountered a profound and widespread challenge: a significant number of deaf children and their families were not only underserved but also largely uninformed about the medical advancements and technological solutions that could dramatically enhance their ability to hear, communicate, and fully integrate into society, impacting the rest of their lives.  

DHF stands at the forefront of auditory health, leveraging today's revolutionary technologies such as cochlear implants, hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs), and auditory-verbal therapy. These innovations have been transformative, making a hearing-speaking life and a quality education accessible to many deaf children and adults. DHF prides itself on a highly specialized team comprising otologic surgeons, audiologists, auditory verbal therapists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational and physical therapists. This team's dedication is not merely to treat but to transform lives by customizing each recipient's treatment, providing the extraordinary attention required to optimize their potential to hear, speak, receive a quality education, secure employment and have a fulfilling life. 

However, the journey towards auditory health is not without its financial challenges. The costs associated with cochlear implants, hearing aids, and necessary therapies often render them inaccessible to families facing economic constraints. With limited reimbursement options from private health insurance and government programs like Medicaid, and the complete absence of coverage in some health policies, DHF has seen a yearly increase in applications from those in dire need of these essential devices and services. 

Groundbreaking research by institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and the University of California San Diego has positioned cochlear implantation as one of the most cost-effective medical procedures. These studies suggest that cochlear implantation can result in significant economic savings over the lifetime of a child with profound hearing loss, as compared to the staggering costs incurred without early language development. 

Furthermore, the rising incidence of hearing loss among senior citizens, coupled with limited Medicare coverage that extends only to hearing tests, has led to an increased demand for financial assistance for hearing aids. This need is particularly acute among seniors on fixed incomes who cannot afford essential additional hearing aids. Research indicates a direct correlation between significant hearing loss and an increased risk of dementia, adding another layer of urgency to this issue. 

Since its Inception, DHF has contributed millions in dollars worth of hearing technologies and services, profoundly impacting the lives of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals (D/HoH). These    contributions have enabled countless individuals to overcome the barriers to education and employment traditionally associated with hearing loss. 

DHF continues its unwavering commitment to changing lives and "Bringing Sound to Life" for deaf children and adults. Through continued support and collaboration, DHF aspires to expand its reach and deepen its impact, creating a world where hearing loss is not a barrier to achieving one's full potential. 

You can visit our website at dallashearingfoundation.org for more information.