From One Child's Journey to One Million Ears: The LexCare Hearing Foundation is Touring America to Close the Hearing Healthcare Gap
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2026 | Audiology Awareness Month
Celebrating 15 years of impact, the national nonprofit reveals critical gaps in hearing healthcare and calls on industry leaders, community organizations, and 8,000 donors to help reach One Million Ears by 2030.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — October 2026 — As the nation recognizes Audiology Awareness Month and the importance of life-changing hearing technologies, including cochlear implants, The LexCare Hearing Foundation (formerly Songs for Sound) is shining a light on hearing loss—the third most common chronic health condition in America.¹ Yet millions of Americans continue to live with untreated hearing loss, unaware of available solutions or unsure where to turn for help. The Foundation is changing that through 10 years of building a different model of outreach—meeting people where they are, building trust, removing barriers, and connecting them with life-changing hearing healthcare.
For Founder and Executive Director Jaime Motes, the mission began 17 years ago with her daughter, Lexi, who was born deaf. Lexi's journey to hearing healthcare and cochlear implants was marked by misinformation, unnecessary delays, and too many recommendations to "just wait." That experience inspired Motes to establish the Foundation in 2011.
“Our journey began with my little girl, Lexi, who is now 18 and thriving thanks to her hearing miracle, years of speech therapy, and a tremendous amount of hard work. But getting something as simple as a hearing test, accurate information, and access to the right care was a journey filled with unnecessary barriers. Over the past 15 years, as we've taken our outreach across America, we've discovered that millions of individuals and families face those same challenges,” said Motes.
"We have extraordinary hearing technology and talented healthcare professionals, yet millions of people never enter the hearing healthcare system. We've worked relentlessly for 15 years to close that gap, and we want decision-makers, hearing healthcare leaders, and communities to understand why our approach is different—and how they can help."
Today, that mission has a bold goal: One Million Ears by 2030.
15 Years of Impact. One Million Ears Ahead.
Through its 10th Annual Hearoes Tour, dedicated Care Team of advocates/guides, and community partnerships, the Foundation has:
Served 35,000+ people, representing approximately 70,000 ears.
Hosted 1,200+ free hearing health events across 35+ states.
Engaged 750+ community and healthcare partners nationwide.
Connected veterans, seniors, children, rural and underserved populations with screenings, education, and pathways to care.
Our data and participant feedback reveal that many people are confused about their hearing healthcare options and lack confidence in taking the next step. At each event, our state-of-the-art Hearoes-Mobile provides free hearing screenings in an approachable, engaging environment where conversations begin and trust is built. The real work continues after the event, when our Care Team provides personalized follow-up to help individuals navigate their options and move toward care.
What We're Learning: Bridging the Gap Between Hearing Loss and Hearing Healthcare
After serving more than 35,000 people nationwide, The LexCare Hearing Foundation is uncovering valuable insights into the barriers individuals face in recognizing hearing loss, understanding available solutions, and accessing care
The Foundation wants to know that while this is certainly philanthropic, Founder Jaime Motes’ background is in Data Management and Marketing. Thus, everything is very strategic, data and results-driven. Each person served receives a “Hearing Number”. This model classifies results into four levels, from Level 1 (normal or near-normal hearing) to Level 4 (severe to profound hearing loss). This easy-to-understand system drives all communications and Care Team follow-up…changing mindsets and moving people into life-changing care.
An analysis of 14,095 screening records with documented hearing levels, collected through the Foundation's targeted outreach to populations at greatest risk for untreated hearing loss, revealed that 73% were classified at Levels 2–4, indicating potential hearing concerns, while 28% fell into Levels 3–4, suggesting a greater need for professional evaluation and follow-up. Among 1,536 records identifying veterans, 47% were classified at Levels 3–4.
These findings reveal a critical gap: many people know they're struggling to hear, but don't know who to trust, where to turn, or how to access affordable care. That's why meeting people where they are—in their everyday lives—starting conversations, and building trust is so important. From there, the Foundation's Care Team does the heavy lifting, helping individuals move from confused to confident by navigating insurance benefits, identifying in-network providers, exploring affordable and telehealth solutions, and connecting veterans with VA hearing healthcare resources. We don't just identify hearing loss. We help people take action.
Additionally, partner clinics are provided with a personalized patient overview and referral letter that goes beyond screening results—sharing valuable insights into the individual's concerns, challenges, and motivations. These important details help hearing healthcare professionals better prepare for appointments, build trust, and establish a meaningful connection with their new patients from the very beginning.
"We have extraordinary hearing technology, dedicated audiologists, and healthcare systems doing important work every day," said Motes. "But what we're learning is that many people still need help taking that first step—or understanding what comes next. Our mission is to act as a conduit for the hearing healthcare community, meeting people where they are, removing barriers, and turning awareness into action."
Where We're Headed—and Who We Need
From Q4 2026 through May 2027, the Foundation is expanding outreach across South Carolina, Washington, D.C., Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina, with a particular focus on veterans, seniors, and rural communities.
In November, the Foundation will bring its mission to Washington, D.C., during Veterans Week including being a feature in The National Veterans Parade engaging veteran organizations, hearing healthcare leaders, and policymakers to elevate hearing health awareness and access throughout the week. Events across the city will be announced later this month. ONLINE CALENDAR
The Foundation is calling on America to join the movement:
Hearing Healthcare Industry: Audiologists, clinics, manufacturers, insurers, and technology companies can support outreach, education, and pathways to care.
Community Organizations: Veteran groups, VSOs, VA clinics, senior centers, employers, schools, and rural organizations can partner to bring free screenings and Care Team resources to the people they serve.
8,000 Champions of Hope and Hearing: Individuals can pledge $10 per month or give $120 once, helping advance the Foundation's $1 million fundraising goal to expand free services nationwide.
Sponsors and Foundations: Corporate sponsors, philanthropic foundations, and federal, state & local funders can invest in the One Million Ears mission by supporting national outreach, underserved communities, free hearing screenings, and personalized Care Team services—helping remove barriers and expand access to life-changing hearing healthcare.
Meet the companies and Champions of Hope and Hearing whose generous support is helping expand our mission and change lives nationwide HERE.
"One Million Ears isn't something we can accomplish alone," said Motes. "It's an invitation for the entire hearing healthcare industry and communities across America to work together. Awareness opens the door. Access creates opportunity. Action changes lives."
About The LexCare Hearing Foundation
Founded in 2011 as Songs for Sound, The LexCare Hearing Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing hearing healthcare Awareness. Access. Action.
Its programs include the national Hearoes Tour, personalized Care Team navigation, Hear to Learn school initiatives, family support, and international hearing healthcare programs.
Learn more: Mission | Our Programs | Partner or Give
Media Contact: Jaime Motes, Founder & Executive Director jmotes@lexcarehearing.com | 615.739.1194
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