Why
Pacific Hearing
Connection
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Pacific Hearing Connection began in 2016 with a simple belief shared by founders Dr. Deborah Clark and Dr. Jane Baxter: everyone deserves access to quality hearing healthcare, regardless of income or insurance status.
For years in their private practice, Debbie and Jane met countless people who were struggling to make ends meet and simply couldn’t afford hearing aids. It was especially frustrating for them to see patients resort to inexpensive, over-the-counter devices, often without the essential testing, fitting, or follow-up care needed for effective hearing support.
Their perspective shifted even further in 2013 when they became involved with Entheos Audiology Cooperative, an organization known for organizing global humanitarian audiology missions and supporting private practices in serving their own underserved communities. Inspired by this work, Jane and Debbie realized that meaningful change could start right at home.
That spark grew into Pacific Hearing Connection, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing high-quality hearing healthcare to local individuals and families who need it most. Today, their mission continues to open doors and restore the sounds of life. for people throughout the community.
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Our History
Hearing Loss in the United States
Hearing loss is far more common than many people realize. In the United States alone, an estimated 37.5 million people—about 15% of the population—live with some degree of hearing loss. Globally, the World Health Organization reports that 360 million people are affected.
~1 in 6 people in the U.S. have hearing loss.
37.5 million
Yet despite how widespread it is, access to quality hearing healthcare remains limited. Hearing aids are expensive, rarely covered by insurance, and often out of reach for many individuals and families. As a result, many adults and children go without the care they need.
The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss
Research shows that untreated hearing loss affects far more than just the ability to hear.
In adults, the National Council on Aging has found strong links between untreated hearing loss
and:
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Dementia
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Increased sadness and depression
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Heightened worry and anxiety
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Withdrawal from social activities
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Feelings of paranoia and emotional insecurity
The Better Hearing Institute has also reported that hearing loss can negatively impact earning potential, and more recent studies have clearly documented its connection to early cognitive decline.
The good news: early intervention makes a significant difference. The sooner hearing issues are addressed, the more fully people can thrive.
Cost of Living in the Bay Area
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area comes with a price tag unlike anywhere else in the country. Even everyday expenses - housing, food, transportation - quickly add up.
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Here’s how local cities compare to the national average:
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Palo Alto: +122%
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Redwood City: +93%
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Santa Clara: +75%
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East Palo Alto: +43%
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Even in communities considered “more affordable,” costs are still dramatically higher than the
U.S. average.
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The Reality for Local Families
Because of these soaring expenses, income levels that might be comfortable elsewhere often fall short here. Many individuals and families who appear financially stable on paper are actually struggling to cover basic needs in the Bay Area.
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Why Pacific Hearing Connection?
At Pacific Hearing Connection, we believe in something simple and powerful:
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Hearing should never be a privilege. It should be a part of everyday life—accessible to
everyone.
When people have access to quality hearing care, they can stay connected, stay employed,
engage with their families, and contribute fully to their communities.
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Unfortunately, far too many people go without the care they need simply because they can’t
afford it or aren’t fully covered by insurance.​​
Our Mission
Pacific Hearing Connection exists to change that.
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We are committed to:
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Addressing the unmet needs in our community
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Educating families and individuals about hearing health
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Coordinating access to essential services
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Providing high-quality hearing healthcare to people who would otherwise not be able to afford it.
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And we do all of this with one guiding promise:
To offer the Gift of Hearing with dignity, compassion, and respect.​​