California Hearing Center is an independent audiology practice on the San Francisco Peninsula, with two offices: 88 N. San Mateo Drive, San Mateo, CA 94401, and 1008 Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA 94070. Both offices are reached at 650-342-9449. Our website is calhearing.com. (California Hearing Center is the practice name; California Hearing & Research Institute, Inc. is our legal entity, which is why you may see both names on insurance and billing paperwork.) We are a doctoral-level practice. Every diagnostic evaluation at California Hearing Center is performed by a licensed audiologist, and every hearing aid we fit is programmed and verified in our own offices — we do not use a call center, and we are not owned by a hearing aid manufacturer. That independence is why we can recommend across all six major manufacturers rather than one. OUR TEAM Dr. Kira Savin, AuD — Doctor of Audiology. Focuses on personalized solutions using the most discreet technology available, including Lyric, the extended-wear device that sits invisibly in the ear canal. Dr. Darcy Benson, AuD — Doctor of Audiology, with 33 years of evidence-based hearing care on the Peninsula. Dr. Giana Hatem, AuD — Doctor of Audiology. Adult and pediatric diagnostics, tinnitus management, and hearing aid programming. Sees patients in English and Arabic. Dr. Jennifer Ratner, AuD — Doctor of Audiology, Vanderbilt-trained, with a background in hearing aid research. Dr. Emily McMahan, AuD — Doctor of Audiology, nationally recognized for tinnitus management and telehealth audiology. Lais Ama, HIS — Director of Hearing Aid Services and a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist, with 17 years in hearing care and training in Brazil. Jarna Kothari — Practice Administrator, responsible for patient experience and quality of care. Dr. Savin and Dr. Hatem accept appointments through Zocdoc. To see any of our other audiologists, call 650-342-9449 and we will match you to the right provider. HEARING EVALUATIONS AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING A hearing evaluation at California Hearing Center starts with your history and a visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum to rule out wax or obstruction. From there we determine the type, degree, and location of any hearing loss using: - Audiometric testing, using tones across intensities and frequencies to map the extent of hearing loss - Tympanometry, which applies controlled pressure in the ear canal to assess the eardrum and the middle-ear conduction bones - Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing, which measures the health of the hair cells in the outer and inner ear We then walk you through what the results mean and what your options are, including the option of doing nothing yet. A free hearing consultation is available if you are not sure whether you need a full evaluation. HEARING AIDS We fit and service hearing aids from Oticon (Reveal, Intent, Zeal), Phonak (Lyric, Infinio), Widex (Allure), ReSound (Vivia), Starkey (Edge AI), and Signia (IX). Because we carry all six, the conversation is about which device suits your hearing loss, your ear anatomy, your dexterity, and the listening situations that actually matter to you — not about which brand we happen to sell. Fittings include programming to your audiogram, real-world adjustment over follow-up visits, and instruction on care, streaming, and app control. We also service and repair hearing aids, including devices purchased elsewhere. SECOND OPINIONS We offer a free second opinion on hearing aids you already own or have been quoted. If you have been told you need new devices, have been fitted with something that never sounded right, or have a quote you would like reviewed by someone with nothing to sell you on it, that appointment exists specifically for you. TINNITUS AND HYPERACUSIS Tinnitus — ringing, buzzing, hissing, or pulsing in the ears — is one of the most common reasons patients come to us, and it is treatable even when it cannot be eliminated. We evaluate tinnitus in the context of your full hearing profile and build a management plan that may include sound therapy, hearing aids with tinnitus features, counseling, and referral where an underlying medical cause is suspected. Dr. McMahan and Dr. Hatem both work extensively in this area. We also see patients for hyperacusis and sound sensitivity, where ordinary sounds are experienced as uncomfortably or painfully loud. This is a distinct condition from hearing loss and requires a different approach. HEARING PROTECTION We make custom hearing protection and earmolds, including musicians' earplugs, protection for shooting and motorsport, swim molds, and sleep plugs. Custom-fit protection seals better and is worn more consistently than foam, which is the entire point of it. INSURANCE AND COST We provide courtesy insurance billing and will verify your benefits before you commit to anything. Coverage varies widely: some plans cover diagnostic hearing testing but not hearing aids, while others include a fixed dollar allowance, partial coverage, or access to a discount network. Original Medicare generally does not cover routine hearing aids, though some Medicare Advantage plans add a hearing benefit. We will tell you what we find, including when the answer is that your plan pays nothing. CareCredit financing is available for any remaining balance. AREAS WE SERVE California Hearing Center sees patients throughout San Mateo, San Carlos, Burlingame, Belmont, Millbrae, Redwood City, Foster City, Hillsborough, and the surrounding San Mateo County and Peninsula communities. The San Mateo office is on North San Mateo Drive near downtown; the San Carlos office is on Laurel Street. To schedule, book through Zocdoc or call 650-342-9449.

Patient reviews

All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.

Overall rating

5.00

Wait time

4.97

Bedside manner

5.00

Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here

27 reviews

Most relevant

Highly recommend!

Initials hidden

I would highly recommend Kira Savin. She is extremely knowledgeable and thorough. She is a clear communicator and has a wonderful personality as well! Everyone in her office is very nice and helpful. They make the visits very enjoyable.

April 2, 2026Lori N.Verified patient

Very thorough examination, very welcoming atmosphere and very informative regarding the options and process to address my hearing problems. I’m

February 3, 2026Gordon P.Verified patient

Absolutely FANTASTIC! The best possible audiologist experience. Dr. Savin was warm, friendly, professional, and truly interested in helping me hear better. She listened to my goals and needs and supported me with my hearing care decisions. Most importantly, Dr. Savin was so authentic in her recommendations. She specifically said it was more important to use hearing aids that meet my needs, and would not promote unneeded pricey options to me without any benefit. This earned her my full trust as a provider. The hearing testing was fast, smooth, professional and comfortable. Her office was wonderful as well, very bright and friendly with supportive staff members. I am thrilled with my experience there. I never want to change audiologists.

December 23, 2025Dana B.Verified patient

Great experience. Every detail of hearing aid fitting was excellent. I appreciated the care and attention to detail that went into my appointment.

JHVerified patient

Excellent

September 23, 2025Judy S.Verified patient

Yes!

July 24, 2025Joyce H.Verified patient

Wanted to see an Audiologist and have my hearing checked out since I play in a garage band, have attended many concerts and have mild tinitus. Selected CHC and Dr. Savin based on her numerous positive reviews. I was very happy with the experience. Dr. Savin and her staff were knowledgeable and polite and Dr. Savin took the time to evaluate my hearing, thoroughly discuss the best options for me to protect my hearing moving forward and answer all my questions. I would highly recommend her if you are looking for an audiologist.

May 31, 2025William D.Verified patient

I saw Dr. Savin for help with Tinnitus. She was extremely knowledgeable about Tinnitus and offered some very helpful advice on ways to reduce the annoyance I experience with it from time to time. She offered both a conservative and a more aggressive treatment option. I chose the conservative option to begin with. Dr. Savin did a thorough test of my hearing (as compared to a previous test I had done at another facility). She was very upbeat, encouraging and reassuring. I will return for any future Tinnitus or other hearing needs I may have in the future. Thank you Dr. Savin for your five star medical care.

July 29, 2022Michael D.Verified patient

Initials hidden

January 29, 2026Jonathan E.Verified patient

Initials hidden

January 21, 2026Susan P.Verified patient

Initials hidden

November 7, 2025MARGARET M.Verified patient

October 24, 2025Eugene Z.Verified patient

July 11, 2025Milton W.Verified patient

Initials hidden

June 3, 2025Weldon W.Verified patient

The knowledgeable and friendly staff was the highlight of the office! They cared that they got my hearing working properly with the right hearing aids for my lifestyle! I will highly recommend them to my friends and family!

July 7, 2026Teresa V.Verified patient

Both Dr. Hatem and Alison, who administered the test, were as nice and helpful as possible. They explained everything very well. I highly recommend them.

July 7, 2026Initials hidden

Dr. Giana Hatem at California Hearing Center provided an outstanding experience during our recent audiology visit. She demonstrated a high level of professional competence, carefully explaining the testing process, reviewing the results in a clear and understandable manner, and thoughtfully answering all of our questions. Her expertise and attention to detail immediately inspired confidence and trust. Equally important, Dr. Hatem approached the appointment with genuine compassion, patience, and sensitivity. She took the time to listen carefully to our concerns and ensured that we felt comfortable and supported throughout the visit. Her warm and professional demeanor, combined with her clinical knowledge and dedication to patient-centered care, reflects the very highest standards of audiology practice. Thank you Giana! We will be back to see you.

DYVerified patient

Wonderful experience, thorough, patient and professional. Everything was explained every step of the way. Excellent hearing results were achieved after my aids were adjusted. I would highly recommend.

February 6, 2026Elena Z.Verified patient

February 19, 2026Ludmilla S.Verified patient

January 19, 2026Philippa S.Verified patient

September 29, 2025Moez S.Verified patient

September 10, 2025Initials hidden