Brief History

Listen Foundation was incorporated in 1969 when a group of parents came together because they shared the common experience of raising a child with a hearing impairment. These parents recognized that many other parents and professionals were unaware of technological and therapeutic options that enable children with a hearing loss to listen, speak and become part of mainstream society and that many families that might want to pursue these options did not have the financial means to pay for these services. The initial program was developed by the late Doreen Pollack, an internationally recognized author and expert in the field of Listening and Spoken Language therapy (then called acoupedics) – an innovative approach that helps children to use their residual hearing and speaking potential to communicate with spoken language rather than sign language. Since then, Listen Foundation has built up a network of the finest therapists in the state to continue the work that Ms. Pollack pioneered.

Over time this agency has expanded its offerings to include distance therapy, community outreach, parent education, professional training, and in 2019, the Listen Cochlear Implant Family Camp. Listen has received the Award for Excellence from the El Pomar Foundation and the 2018 Volta Award from the AG Bell Association for the Deaf in Washington, D.C. Doreen Pollack was inducted posthumously into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018 in recognition of her groundbreaking work to improve the lives of children with hearing loss.

There have been many times when she has announced how thankful she is that she can hear and speak. She truly appreciates the gift.

–Becky, Mother of a Listen Graduate

Help Make a Difference!

Help us fulfill our mission of getting more Colorado children listening and talking. Your contribution is used primarily to fund Listening and Spoken Language Therapy from our amazing network of therapists, helping children desperatly in need across the state.