irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $721K"HEARING HEALTH MAGAZINE" (HHM) - HHM IS THE AWARD-WINNING MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY HEARING HEALTH FOUNDATION THAT IS THE ULTIMATE CONSUMER EDUCATION RESOURCE ON HEARING LOSS, TINNITUS, AND RELATED HEARING AND BALANCE CONDITIONS. AVAILABLE IN PRINT AND ONLINE, THE QUARTERLY FOR AND BY CONSUMERS AND PROFESSIONALS ALIKE HIGHLIGHTS INSPIRING, RELATABLE FIRST-PERSON STORIES AND RELIABLE, REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS BASED ON THE LATEST RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY. HHM CONNECTS MEMBERS OF THE HEARING LOSS COMMUNITY TO ONE ANOTHER WHILE PROVIDING TIMELY SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS REPORTS AND EMPHASIZING PREVENTION AND THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HEARING HEALTH AND OVERALL WELLBEING.
- #2 $511KCOMMUNICATION/EDUCATION - HEARING HEALTH FOUNDATION'S "KEEP LISTENING" CAMPAIGN IS AN EVERGREEN INITIATIVE TO EDUCATE ALL AGES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HEARING HEALTH AND PREVENTING HEARING DAMAGE, INCLUDING TINNITUS, FROM THE ONLY FULLY MODIFIABLE CAUSE OF HEARING LOSS: EXCESS NOISE. THROUGH ENGAGING BROADCAST TV PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONCERTED SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH, THE CAMPAIGN SOUNDS THE ALARM OF LISTENING TOO LOUD AND TOO LONG SUCH AS THROUGH HEADPHONES AND AT NOISY MUSIC AND RECREATIONAL VENUES, AND TEACHES SIMPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO PROTECT HEARING SUCH AS USING EARPLUGS, TAKING HEARING BREAKS, AND ADVOCATING FOR QUIETER SHARED PUBLIC SPACES. IN ADDITION TO TV AND SOCIAL MEDIA, HHF BROADLY SHARES EDUCATIONAL CONTENT AND RESEARCH UPDATES THROUGH THE WEBSITE AND (SEE SCHEDULE O)BLOG, PRINT MAGAZINE, DIGITAL NEWSLETTER, AND AT CONFERENCES.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Emerging Research Grants (ERG)
Grant program funding early-stage research on hearing and balance science, including tinnitus, Ménière's disease, Usher syndrome, and auditory processing disorders.
Hearing Health Magazine
Quarterly consumer publication providing education on hearing loss, tinnitus, prevention, and the latest research and technology for patients and professionals.
Hearing Restoration Project (HRP)
International scientific consortium focused on hair cell regeneration as a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus, organized into working groups on epigenetics, integrative analysis, reprogramming, and screening.
Keep Listening Campaign
Public education initiative to prevent noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus through PSAs, social media, and outreach on safe listening practices.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Hearing Health Research and Aid 1 activity
- Conducting and supporting scientific research on hearing loss and regenerationLeads and funds original research to prevent, treat, and cure hearing and balance conditions, including hair cell regeneration, gene therapy using AAV vectors, otoacoustic emissions testing for newborns, and molecular mechanisms in auditory systems. Established the Hearing Restoration Project as the first international consortium focused on regenerating inner ear hair cells, and maintains the National Temporal Bone Banks Program for human tissue research.
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Psychoanalytic and Therapeutic Training Support 1 activity
- Funding hearing and balance research through grant programsAwards grants to support basic, clinical, and translational research in hearing and balance science, including early-stage investigators (Elizabeth M. Keithley Awards), topic-specific studies (Focused Discovery Awards), and advanced multi-year projects (Expanded Discovery Awards) with funding up to $200,000 over two years. Research areas include cochlear implants, hearing aids, ear surgeries, tinnitus, and genetic therapies.
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Hearing Health Services and Support 1 activity
- Public education on hearing health and preventionPublishes a free quarterly magazine featuring evidence-based information, personal stories, and research updates on hearing loss, tinnitus, and related conditions. Also provides educational resources on hearing tests, noise-induced hearing damage prevention, and offers a 10-question screening tool to encourage professional evaluation.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Advocacy for hearing health policy and public awarenessEngaged in advocacy efforts including promoting universal newborn hearing screening legislation in the 1990s, which contributed to increasing U.S. newborn screening rates from under 5% to over 98%. Partners with promotional allies to raise awareness about noise-induced hearing loss and promote hearing protection.
- Running the Keep Listening public awareness campaignOperates the "Keep Listening" campaign to prevent noise-induced hearing loss through broadcast TV public service announcements, social media outreach, and guidance on protective behaviors such as using earplugs and taking hearing breaks.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.68M
Contributions & grants$4.29M92%
Program service revenue$89K2%
Investment income$297K6%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$4.92M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$1.26M
Grants paid out$2.48M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$14.34M
Cash$1.75M
Investments$9.26M
Liabilities$437K
Net assets$13.91M
Liquid reserves26.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -11.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIMOTHY L HIGDON | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $308K |
| YISHANE LEE | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND | 40 | $150K |
| GAIL MARINO | FOUNDATION OFFICER | 40 | $148K |
| CHRISTOPHER GEISSLER | DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM AND RE | 40 | $141K |
| NOEMI DISLA | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE/OPNS | 40 | $139K |
board members · 13
- ANIL LALWANI — DIRECTOR
- BRENDA M RYALS — DIRECTOR
- CAROL SALMANSON — DIRECTOR
- CARY KOPCZYNSKI — DIRECTOR
- ELIZABETH M KEITHLEY — CHAIR EMERITA (UNTIL 9/30/2025)
- JAY GRUSHKIN — CHAIR
- JUDY DUBNO — SECRETARY
- KAZIE METZGER — DIRECTOR
- NANCY M YOUNG — DIRECTOR
- PAUL ORLIN — VICE CHAIR
- ROBERT BOUCAI — TREASURER
- SHARON G KUJAWA — DIRECTOR
- SOPHIA BOCCARD — DIRECTOR
relationships · 46
Who they work with
- Andrea Kaneb Partner — Hearing Healthcare Adviser collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Anil K. Lalwani Government — Board member and Head of the Council of Scientific Trustees at Hearing Health Foundation.
- Ben Radatz Partner — Filmmaker collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance Government — Accredits HHF based on adherence to national standards for charitable accountability.
- Better Hearing Institute Partner — References research from the Better Hearing Institute on hearing loss treatment and workplace outcomes.
- Candid GuideStar Government — Grants HHF the highest Platinum Transparency level for public reporting.
- Charity Navigator Government — Independent evaluator that rates HHF on financial health, accountability, and transparency.
- CharityWatch Government — Rates HHF with an 'A' grade for financial efficiency and governance.
- Chris Bailey Partner — Prevention Advocate collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Collins Peters Partner — Prevention Advocate collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Consumer Reports Partner — Previously recognized HHF as one of the "Best Charities for Your Donations" from 2016 to 2019.
- Council of Scientific Trustees Network — Serves as the governing body that evaluates grant applications for scientific merit and relevance within the Emerging Research Grants program.
- Creighton University Partner — Laboratory led by Litao Tao, Ph.D., contributes to Cross-Species Epigenetics working group.
- Daniel Fink, M.D. Partner — Hearing Healthcare Adviser collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Daniel Rivera Partner — Prevention Advocate collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Dennis D'Angelo Partner — Prevention Advocate collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D. Partner — Cites research conducted by Frank Lin on hearing loss and cognitive decline.
- GoFundMe Partner — Recognized HHF as one of the "30 of the Best Charities to Donate to on GoFundMe" in 2024 and prior years.
- Hearing Restoration Project Partner — International research consortium founded by HHF to investigate hair cell regeneration as a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Impactful Ninja Partner — Cites HHF as one of the "Best Charities" for the deaf and hard of hearing.
- Jan L. Mayes Partner — Hearing Healthcare Adviser collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Jon Barton Partner — Prevention Advocate collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Julio Flores-Alberca Partner — Prevention Advocate collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Kathleen Wallace, Au.D. Partner — Hearing Healthcare Adviser collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Kayleena Pierce-Bohen Partner — Prevention Advocate collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Mary K. Nevins, CCC-SLP Partner — Prevention Advocate collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- Mass Eye and Ear Partner — Laboratory led by Albert Edge, Ph.D., contributes to Integrative Analysis and Screening working groups.
- Mike O’Malley Partner — Prevention Advocate collaborating with Hearing Health Foundation
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Government — Laboratory led by Ronna Hertzano, M.D., Ph.D., contributes to Integrative Analysis working group and oversees upkeep of gEAR data portal.
- National Institutes of Health Funder — Provides R21 grant funding to support research into hearing loss.
+ 16 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Competitive Research Funding to Accelerate Medical Breakthroughsmethodology: competitive_research_fundingBy using a competitive grantmaking model to fund high-impact, innovative research, the organization advances treatments and cures for hearing and balance disorders because this approach identifies the most promising science and creates a pipeline for future federal support and clinical translation.
- Culture Change Through Public Education on Noise-Induced Hearing Lossmethodology: culture_change_preventionBy promoting a cultural shift toward proactive hearing health and targeting excess noise exposure—the only fully modifiable cause of hearing loss—through public education and partner mobilization, the organization prevents hearing loss because behavioral change at scale reduces cumulative noise damage over time.
- Early-Career Researcher Support to Accelerate Innovationmethodology: research_acceleration_early_careerBy providing dedicated grant opportunities for early-career researchers while maintaining inclusivity across career stages, the organization accelerates innovation in hearing and balance science because early investment fosters long-term scientific leadership and risk-taking in emerging areas.
- Hearing Health as Preventive and Systemic Health Caremethodology: preventive_care_integrationBy positioning hearing tests as tools for early detection of systemic conditions like dementia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and by integrating hearing health into routine preventive care, the organization improves long-term health outcomes because early intervention preserves function and reveals broader health risks.
- Integrated Scientific Consortium Model for Hearing Restorationmethodology: consortium_modelBy organizing specialized working groups in a collaborative consortium model and integrating cross-species epigenetics, reprogramming, and organoid-based screening, the organization accelerates the discovery of therapeutic targets for hearing restoration because this multidisciplinary integration enables faster translation from basic science to treatment development.