Pasadena Nonprofit HEAR Center Is a Haven of Hope for the Hearing Impaired

For nearly seventy years, Pasadena’s HEAR Center in Pasadena has been a haven of hope for community members dealing with hearing impairment. In a world where auditory challenges can often lead to feelings of isolation, the nonprofit organization has steadfastly provided free hearing screenings and low-cost related services, offering a lifeline of connection and support.

Founded in 1954 by Ciwa Griffiths, an American speech therapist and a pioneer in the field, the HEAR Center was initially created exclusively ton help hearing-impaired children in their quest to listen and speak.

Griffiths, who was an early advocate of auditory-verbal therapy and universal neonatal hearing screening, spent her career dedicated to the early identification of hearing loss, equipping children with hearing aids, and providing specialized training to foster their listening and speech abilities.

Over the decades, under the guidance of its current executive director, Ellen Simon, the HEAR Center has evolved and expanded its services, keeping pace with the evolving needs of the community.

Simon said the Center now offers not only therapy for hearing-impaired children but speech and language therapy for children of all ages, including those on the autism spectrum.

In addition to these therapy services, the center has incorporated complete diagnostic audiological testing and expertise in fitting hearing aids. This comprehensive approach ensures that community members of all ages receive the best possible care for their unique hearing needs.

“That’s how we’ve really changed over the years, to provide what’s needed and appropriate in the community now,” Simon said.

Today, the HEAR Center continues its mission of providing free hearing screenings and tests, coupled with a range of low-cost services to people of all ages.

It brings its staff to preschools, day schools, senior centers, residential centers and provides them service on-site. 

“We never turn anyone away for lack of funds,” said Simon.

Simon said she became director in 2019, the center has provided over 8,000 free hearing screenings in the community. 

“Since the pandemic, we’re struggling to get our numbers back up, obviously because it’s hard to go out in the community. But slowly and surely we are doing that and we’ve provided thousands of people with low-cost services.”

While it’s the nonprofit’s goal to continue to provide free and low-cost services to the greater community, Simon also admits this is a challenge.

“Our goal is to be sustainable in the long run, but it is a challenge.”

Currently funding for the nonprofit comes from various grant programs and donations from the community.

On June 19, the center is having its largest annual fundraising, which is the 42nd annual HEAR Center golf tournament. This will be held at Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga

“It’s one of the ways that we ensure our sustainability by partnering with the community to support us. And our goal is to provide as much free and low-cost service to the community.” 

To make an appointment at the HEAR Center or donate, visit: https://www.hearcenter.org/