A Woodlands-area nonprofit announced Tuesday, that it will provide free hearing care to infants and toddlers from birth to age three, eliminating waits that can stretch weeks or months while families navigate insurance approvals.

All Ears! Center's Zero Delay Program covers hearing technology, audiology services, Listening and Spoken Language therapy and family support at no cost to families, regardless of income or insurance status. The program is funded through donor contributions, community partnerships and grants, according to Hello Woodlands.

"When a child is diagnosed with hearing loss, time is one thing families simply cannot afford to lose," Executive Director Lee Rech said in the announcement. He added that "every day of listening builds the foundation for speech, language, literacy, and lifelong success."

The organization says the first three years of life are critical for speech and brain development, and that children who receive early intervention are significantly more likely to develop age-appropriate language skills before entering school.

All Ears! Center, founded in 2014 and located at 4840 W. Panther Creek Drive, Suite 200, opened a full-service audiology clinic in 2022. Since then, the nonprofit has grown to serve more than 3,000 patients across 40 Texas counties and 234 ZIP codes, according to the center. That includes 1,400 children under age five and 300 infants and toddlers.

The center also provides hearing services to adults, with revenue from those services helping fund the children's programs.

The organization announced two new board members alongside the program launch. John Harris, a real estate developer with more than 30 years of experience, said he learned during a routine childhood hearing test that he had been deaf in one ear his entire life. Kristin Valicevic, a human resources executive with Halliburton, also joined the board.

The center's annual Sporting Clays Tournament, a key fundraiser supporting the Zero Delay Program, is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, at Greater Houston Gun Club. Families seeking services can reach All Ears! Center at 936-251-3021 or visit allearscenter.org.