About Us

Four smiling people and a cardboard cutout against a light blue background

mission

We are united by one mission to foster inclusive and accessible communities through communication, advocacy, and education. We envision an inclusive, accessible world where everyone is understood and respected.

80+

years

HSDC has been serving the Puget Sound area for over 80 years.

counties

We serve seventeen counties across Western Washington.

office

We have a office located in Seattle

A group of children sits on a couch reading books, with one adult interacting animatedly with them.

100%

dedication

We are dedicated and passionate staff members. We are committed to providing exceptional service and fostering inclusivity within our communities.

An adult is reading a book to a young child wearing a hearing aid.

Our Story

We’ve come a long way from our humble beginnings. Just as we’ve transformed our own organization to create opportunities for our communities, we’re now able to offer many of our services for free or at reduced costs, allowing individuals and families in need to recieve high-quality communicatioon access and care.

1937

1950

1960

1980

2016

2024

Originally a partnership between mothers of children with hearing loss and a social club for hard of hearing women, HSDC was incorporated in 1937 as the Seattle Chapter for the Hard of Hearing.

In the 1950s, our name changed to the Seattle Hearing and Speech Center, which remained the only independent nonprofit west of the Mississippi for children and adults with communication differences until the mid-1960s.

During the 1960s and 70s, HSDC introduced what was, at the time, a controversial program that taught children with hearing loss American Sign Language (ASL).

By the 1980s, the Deaf community had become such an essential part of the agency’s programming that our name was changed to Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center.

In February 2016, we dropped the “ness” and became Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center to reaffirm our commitment to the local Deaf community.

Today, HSDC has a main office in Seattle and satellite offices in Bellingham and Tacoma. The majority of our clients are in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Whatcom Counties, but we serve thirteen counties in total across Western Washington.

Many of our services are offered for free or at reduced costs, allowing local individuals and families in need to receive high-quality communication access and care.