The Yakima Hearing and Speech Center (HSC), Inc. a not for profit community agency, was established by the Yakima Rotary Club in 1971. Prior to this families of children with communication and hearing impairments had to travel to Seattle for evaluation and treatment services. During 1970 a parent group, the Yakima Hearing League, was formed to explore the establishment of services in this community. The League approached the Rotary Club of Yakima and working together the groups determined the need and resources required to provide communication services in our community. Following a year of planning the Yakima Hearing and Speech Center was established. The Rotary Club provided financial support to the Preschool Deaf Program provided by the Center until 1985. Since that time the Center has supported the Preschool Deaf Program with revenue over expenses from our services and United Way contributions.

The staff of the Center has grown from four in 1971 to 23 in 2009. The Center employs 12 speech language pathologists, four audiologists, two educators of the deaf, and five office staff. We work in a diversity of settings including Yakima Memorial and Regional hospitals, nursing homes, home health care settings, Yakima Valley School, Children’s Village, and of course within the setting of the Center itself. Services provided encompass pediatric through geriatric health care needs. We address speech and language delay, neurological impairments of communication, traumatic brain injury, dysphagia, feeding impairments, voice disorders, and hearing impairment. Our projected budget for the calendar year 2010 is 1,506,850.00.

Within the mission of the Hearing and Speech Center we are committed to understanding the needs of our patients and their families and then providing a service that best achieves our mutual goals. We are trustworthy, ethical, honest, and accountable for our actions. Excellence is our expectation. We continually improve and seek to be the best.

Yakima Valley Hearing & Speech Center

Board Members 2010-2011

Gary Staples                        President                               McAdams, Wright, Ragen Inc.

Mac Porter                          Vice President                       Businessman

Dale Spurlock                      Secretary                              Businessman

Beth Klingele                       Treasurer                              Tri-Ply Construction

Ralph Hinkley                      Director                                Businessman

Dr. Bruce Willis                   Director                                Orthodontist

Nancy Frame                       Director                                Teacher of the Deaf

Dick Berry                           Director                                Businessman

Patrick Andreotti                  Director                                Flower & Andreotti

Fred Maloney                      Director                                Edwards Equipment Company

Linda Hackett                      Director                                Community Health of Central WA

Dr. Carlos Dorantes             Director                                Pediatric Dentistry

Lois Betzing                         Director                                Educator    

Barbara Greco                     Director                                Community Leader 

Dr. Kristin Larson M.D.       Director                                Apple Valley Family Medicine    

Hearing and Speech Center Notice of Privacy Practices - Required by HIPPA