California Hearing Center

Business Details

Your Trusted Hearing Care Partner in San Mateo

California Hearing Center has been dedicated to improving lives through better hearing for over three decades. Our team combines extensive expertise with personalized care, ensuring thorough evaluations and tailored solutions for individual needs. We specialize in hearing loss, tinnitus management, and hearing protection, utilizing advanced technology like Oticon's BrainHearing and Phonak Lyric devices. As the first clinic globally to receive the Inspired by Ida label, we prioritize person-centered care, listening to patients' unique needs and lifestyles.

Our audiologists hold prestigious certifications, including the American Board of Audiology and the Tinnitus Practitioners Association. With locations in San Mateo and San Carlos, we serve the Bay Area, offering services from diagnostic testing to custom hearing protection for professionals. Our commitment extends beyond devices, incorporating auditory brain training and communication skills programs to maximize hearing benefits.

Services

Hearing Testing Hearing Aid Fitting Tinnitus Therapy Hearing Protection Hearing Aid Repair

Highlights and features

Over 30 years of experience in audiology and hearing care.
Person-centered care prioritizing individual patient needs and lifestyles.
Advanced technology including Oticon BrainHearing and Phonak Lyric devices.
Certified tinnitus management specialists with evidence-based therapies.
Custom hearing protection solutions for high-noise occupations.

Associations and certifications

Inspired by Ida label
American Board of Audiology
Tinnitus Practitioners Association

What people say

Personalized care Expert audiologists Effective tinnitus relief Custom solutions Improved quality of life

Website

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Services

Hearing Testing

Our comprehensive hearing evaluations use advanced techniques like audiometric testing, tympanometry, and OAEs to identify hearing loss causes and severity. Services include initial consultations, audiogram reviews, and personalized treatment recommendations. We address age-related loss, noise-induced damage, and tinnitus-related hearing issues for patients aged 20-74.

Hearing Aid Fitting

We offer precision fitting for all hearing aid types using live speech mapping technology. Our process includes device programming, real-ear verification, and follow-up adjustments. We specialize in Phonak Lyric, Oticon Intent, and Starkey Edge AI models, ensuring optimal comfort and sound clarity for individual lifestyles.

Tinnitus Therapy

Our evidence-based tinnitus management combines sound therapy, hearing aid integration, and counseling. Certified specialists use TRT (Tinnitus Retraining Therapy) and Lenire treatment protocols. We address both subjective and noise-induced tinnitus through personalized treatment plans incorporating masking devices and auditory training.

Hearing Protection

We create specialized hearing protection for high-noise environments including musicians, law enforcement, and industrial workers. Solutions feature custom-molded earplugs with variable attenuation filters, electronic protection systems, and in-ear monitors preserving sound quality while preventing noise-induced hearing loss.

Auditory Brain Training

Our LACE and clEAR programs improve listening skills through computerized auditory training. Designed to enhance brain adaptation to hearing aids, these sessions focus on speech recognition in noise, auditory memory, and communication strategies for better real-world hearing performance.

People

Dr. Darcy Benson

Founder, Doctor of Audiology

With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Benson specializes in evidence-based audiology and person-centered care. She developed California Hearing Center's tinnitus management program and serves on the Ida Institute advisory board. Board-certified by the American Board of Audiology.

Dr. Kira Savin

Doctor of Audiology

Specializing in Lyric extended-wear devices, Dr. Savin provides customized hearing solutions for unique patient needs. A fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, she focuses on tinnitus management and auditory counseling while maintaining California and New York licensure.

Dr. Emily McMahan

Doctor of Audiology

A leading tinnitus expert and Lenire provider, Dr. McMahan specializes in diagnostic hearing evaluations and tinnitus management. She serves as APSO president and holds board certification from the American Board of Audiology with expertise in auditory brain training.

Dr. Giana Hatem

Doctor of Audiology

Dr. Hatem focuses on adult and pediatric diagnostic evaluations with specialized training in tinnitus assessments. Certified by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, she provides comprehensive hearing aid programming and communication enhancement solutions.

Lais Ama

Hearing Instrument Specialist

With 17 years of international experience, Lais specializes in hearing aid dispensing and vestibular rehabilitation. She brings expertise from clinical work in Brazil and France, focusing on patient-centered device selection and follow-up care.

Questions

What hearing services do you offer?

We provide comprehensive audiology services including diagnostic testing, hearing aid fitting, tinnitus therapy, custom hearing protection, and auditory brain training programs.

Do you accept insurance?

We work with HearingUp approved providers and offer documentation for insurance claims, including telehealth consultations and hearing device purchases.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Call 650-342-9449 or visit our website to schedule a free hearing consultation at our San Mateo or San Carlos locations.

What makes you different from other providers?

We combine 30+ years of experience with person-centered care, offering customized solutions and advanced technology like Oticon BrainHearing and Phonak Lyric devices.

Do you offer tinnitus treatment?

Yes, our certified specialists use evidence-based therapies including TRT, sound masking, and Lenire treatment protocols for tinnitus management.

What hearing protection options exist for musicians?

We provide custom in-ear monitors and flat-attenuation earplugs preserving sound quality while protecting against noise-induced hearing loss for musicians and audio professionals.

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Reviews (5)

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Walter H.

Jan 09, 2022 Report

For many years California Hearing Center has been taking care of my hearing needs. Darcy Benson, Principal is a highly committed professional who is not only competent but also a pleasure to work with. Darcy is supported by equally committed staff. Far from being a burden, my periodic visits to the California Hearing Center are like visiting a good friend and the service has always been impressive.

Walter Heyman

Silvia A.

Dec 05, 2021 Report

I have been going to California Hezring Center for years. They are very professional and friendly. I would like to emphasize Las and Debbie since they are the two people with whom I harve interacted most of the time, and who have always been polite, effective, and caring!

Nicole K.

Apr 06, 2021 Report

I really appreciate California Hearing Center. I take my uncle there for the care of his hearing aids etc. They are always very nice and friendly. The front office staff are great and really accommodating, as I have to drive to help take care of my uncle. Recently he had major surgery, and CHC was very efficient. His exam was quick, so that he was not waiting around in pain. The office was clean, and everyone was wearing masks, and keeping safe. I felt that we were in good hands. The doctor fixed the issues with my uncles hearing aids and he was very happy.

Nancy J.

Dec 16, 2020 Report

Every contact I have had with California Hearing Center over many years has been pleasant and rewarding. The office staff is friendly and helpful, and my audiologist is an outstanding professional who has become a friend. She has solved many problems, evaluating my evolving hearing needs with appropriate recommendations and new equipment when necessary. I always look forward to my visits, knowing I can trust whatever decisions are made, and appreciative of the respect, time, and care they provide.

Nancy J.

C. G.

May 28, 2020 Report

This is a very well organized friendly office, giving personal attention and professional advice.. They understand the frustration of hearing loss and do all possible to find the right fit to match your issues. Specialists are helpful and knowledgeable. (with interesting fitness and sports activites).

Darcy is a true tech geek, current with the latest technology, but does extensive research before recommending products.

Flexible, conscientious professionals. Great positive attitudes, patient and personable.