American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation

ASHFoundation's Spark Communication Pickleball Challenge

5th Annual ASHFoundation Virtual 5K Walk/Run

ASHFoundation’s University Engagement Program

Our Work

Our ability to communicate and connect with each other is key to our success and happiness. The ASHFoundation supports innovators and sparks innovation in communication sciences to make that connection possible for everyone. Join us!

We make early investments in promising innovators

...to empower speech, language, and hearing professionals

...to change people's lives.

Learn more about our work

Our Stories

Shae Morgan

Funded in 2017, 2019

Shae’s ASHFoundation support helped him pursue research into how people who wear cochlear implants can often miss crucial social components of speech. As his research continues, he hopes his findings will further underscore the need for greater advancement and innovation for hearing technology.

Pasquale Bottalico

Funded in 2019

Pasquale’s ASHFoundation support is helping him pursue research into how classroom acoustics affect what a student hears as well as how it affects a teacher’s vocal output. As his research continues, he hopes his findings will provide a foundation for updated classroom acoustic requirements in American classrooms.

Raksha Mudar

Funded in 2017

Raksha’s ASHFoundation support funded her research into how hearing loss contributes to cognitive decline in older populations. As her research continues, she hopes to identify treatments and interventions that will help maintain a high quality of life as we all age.

Pumpki Lei Su

Funded in 2017, 2021

Pumpki’s ASHFoundation support helped propel her research into how “parentese” – the unique speaking style that many parents use when talking to their babies – can help language development in monolingual and bilingual children who struggle to learn language as well as children with autism spectrum disorder.

Sarah Villard

Funded in 2014, 2019

Sarah’s ASHFoundation support funded her investigation into learning what factors increased the challenges for people with aphasia to process speech in noisy environments such as restaurants. That investigation then allowed her to obtain additional funding from the National Institutes of Health to pursue potential interventions and treatments.

See a full list of our past recipients and read about their work.

Your Donation Sparks Bold, Forward-thinking Solutions

58,000

DONORS AND GROWING

MORE
THAN

2,500

researchers, students, & clinical professionals funded

$

12.8

MILLION AWARDED

OVER

90

PERCENT

of our funded researchers go on to receive additional external funding

Events and Deadlines

Poolside Chat #2: Demystifying the Review Process
7/22/2024

Have you ever received reviewer comments and not known what to do next; how best to interpret and apply to the development of future proposals? Join a panel of past ASHFoundation reviewers and applicants on July 22, 4:00 – 5:00 PM EST, for a discussion that will take the mystery out of the research grant review process, interpreting reviewer critiques, and applying feedback to improve subsequent proposals. This valuable open conversation will benefit first-time and returning applicants alike. This session is open to all but has limited capacity.

Poolside Chat #3: Artificial Intelligence in CSD
8/22/2024

Have you been wondering about the implications of using AI in CSD assessments and treatments? Are you curious about how other clinicians and researchers are applying AI technology? Join the ASHFoundation on August 22, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST, bring your ideas and experiences for an open discussion about the current landscape, and future potential, of this exciting and controversial technology. This session is open to all but has limited capacity.

5th Annual ASHFoundation Virtual 5K Walk/Run
8/31/2024

Join the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation) on August 31, 2024, for our 5th Annual Virtual 5K Walk/Run: Sparking Innovation with Every Stride, where every step you take fuels innovation in communication sciences and disorders! Since 2020, nearly 5,000 5K participants have walked 61,739 miles in all 50 states and nine countries to spark innovation step by step, grant by grant. Be a part of our best 5K yet in 2024!

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