Do you accept my insurance for hearing aids?

We work with all major insurance providers including Medicare, Medicaid, PPO, HMO plans, and workers' compensation claims. Our insurance specialists will verify your benefits and help maximize your coverage to minimize out-of-pocket costs.

What makes California Hearing Center different?

We are the first clinic worldwide to receive the Inspired by Ida quality benchmark for person-centered care. With over 27 years of experience, we combine cutting-edge technology with personalized care, taking time to understand your individual needs and lifestyle.

What services do you provide?

We offer comprehensive hearing evaluations, hearing aid fitting and programming, tinnitus management, balance testing, custom ear protection, and ongoing hearing healthcare support using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.

Dr Emily Mcmahan - Palo Alto

Dr. Emily McMahan – Tinnitus Audiologist Near Palo Alto, CA

A tinnitus-focused audiologist caring for patients from Palo Alto and nearby Peninsula communities at California Hearing Center’s San Mateo and San Carlos clinics.

Tinnitus Care for Palo Alto Patients, Led by a Specialist

If you live in Palo Alto and tinnitus is affecting your sleep, focus, or ability to relax, it can be frustrating to hear
“your hearing is fine” or “there’s nothing to do.” Many people come to Dr. Emily McMahan, AuD after hearing
exactly that — and wanting a more thoughtful, evidence-based plan.

Dr. McMahan is a tinnitus-focused audiologist who has built her career around helping people understand tinnitus and reduce how
intrusive it feels. Patients from Palo Alto, Midtown, Old Palo Alto, Professorville, Menlo Park, and Stanford routinely seek her out
for her calm, thorough approach.

At California Hearing Center, she provides tinnitus evaluations, sound therapy guidance, counseling strategies, and access to advanced
options like Lenire for patients who are good candidates.

Who Is Dr. Emily McMahan?

Dr. McMahan is a doctor of audiology with advanced training and deep experience in tinnitus and sound sensitivity. She founded and leads
a dedicated tinnitus practice in Alaska and partners with California Hearing Center to bring that same level of tinnitus-focused care to the Bay Area.

Learn more about her background and story here:

Her patients often appreciate that she:

Explains tinnitus in clear, practical language instead of dense medical jargon
Connects symptoms to what’s happening in the auditory system and the brain
Offers realistic, step-by-step treatment pathways instead of miracle promises
Understands how stress, sleep, and attention can amplify tinnitus
Helps people feel heard, supported, and less alone in the process

Dr. McMahan’s Approach to Tinnitus Care

Tinnitus is not one-size-fits-all. Two people in Palo Alto can describe the same sound and still need completely different care.
Dr. McMahan’s approach is to understand your tinnitus in the context of your life, not just your audiogram.

Her care often includes:

Listening first – understanding how tinnitus affects sleep, focus, work, and daily routines.
Comprehensive testing – detailed hearing tests and tinnitus-specific measures when appropriate.
Education – helping you understand what tinnitus is (and isn’t) and why it reacts to stress and attention.
Personalized planning – selecting the right mix of sound therapy, counseling strategies, hearing technology, and advanced tools when appropriate.
Ongoing support – adjusting your plan over time rather than leaving you to figure it out alone.

To get a sense of how she explains tinnitus, these articles are a great starting point:

Who From Palo Alto Typically Sees Dr. McMahan?

People from Palo Alto often schedule with Dr. McMahan when they:

Have been told “nothing can be done” and want a real plan
Feel tinnitus is affecting sleep, work, concentration, or quality of life
Notice tinnitus spikes during stressful periods or when life slows down at night
Have tried masking apps or background noise without lasting relief
Experience tinnitus along with sound sensitivity, anxiety, or jaw/neck tension
Want a structured, evidence-based approach instead of random online advice

What to Expect at a Tinnitus Visit (Serving Palo Alto)

1. Conversation & History

Your appointment begins with a detailed conversation about your tinnitus, health history, and goals. Many patients say this is the first time
someone has really taken the time to understand how tinnitus affects their life.

2. Hearing & Tinnitus Testing

You’ll complete a set of hearing tests and, when appropriate, tinnitus-specific measures such as tinnitus pitch and loudness matching.
These help build a clearer picture of what you’re hearing and why.

3. Clear Explanation & Recommendations

Dr. McMahan reviews your results in plain language and connects them to what you notice day to day. Together, you’ll discuss next steps and which options make sense for you.

4. Treatment Plan & Follow-Up

Your plan may include sound therapy, counseling strategies, hearing technology, or
Lenire tinnitus treatment near Palo Alto for eligible patients, along with follow-up visits to support progress over time.

How Dr. McMahan Thinks About Tools Like Lenire

For some patients, advanced technology such as Lenire can be an important part of treatment.
For others, structured sound therapy, education, and counseling strategies are the right starting point.

Dr. McMahan’s role is to help you decide what belongs in your plan — and just as importantly, what does not — based on the best available evidence and your goals.

If you are curious about Lenire itself, this page is a helpful overview:
How Lenire works (plain English).

Seeing Dr. McMahan When You Live in Palo Alto

While California Hearing Center does not have a physical office in Palo Alto, many Peninsula patients find it worthwhile to travel a short distance for tinnitus-focused care.
You can choose the location that best fits your schedule:

San Mateo Clinic – 88 N San Mateo Dr, San Mateo, CA 94401
San Carlos Clinic – 1008 Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA 94070

When you schedule, let our team know you are coming from Palo Alto and would like tinnitus care with Dr. McMahan.

Schedule a Tinnitus Visit with Dr. McMahan

If you are in Palo Alto and want to work with a tinnitus-focused audiologist, we would be honored to help.
The next step is to schedule a tinnitus evaluation at one of our Peninsula clinics.

Request an appointment with Dr. Emily McMahan:

See Dr. McMahan in San Mateo

See Dr. McMahan in San Carlos

When you call or request online, mention that you are coming from Palo Alto and are interested in tinnitus care with Dr. McMahan.