Hearing Solutions Start with a Trusted Hearing Professional
Kira Savin
(she/her/hers)
Au.D. - DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY
Dr. Kira Savin believes that "there is nothing more rewarding than helping a patient achieve better hearing." She feels that everyone's hearing needs are unique, like a fingerprint, and it is her goal to find a customized solution for each patient she sees.
Dr. Savin specializes in providing personalized hearing solutions using the latest and most discreet technology available, including the Lyric® invisible extended-wear hearing device. Her areas of expertise include hearing rehabilitation, auditory counseling, tinnitus management and retraining therapy, and dispensing of hearing devices and other assistive listening technologies. Dr. Savin is licensed in Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing in both California and New York State. She has been accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. Dr. Savin completed her residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. After practicing in New York City, she continued her career in Westchester County where she co-purchased Audiology Associates of Westchester and remains a co-owner of that practice and its satellite offices.
She is thrilled to now call the Bay Area her home.
Lais Ama
(she/her/hers)
B.S. – HEARING INSTRUMENT SPECIALIST
Lais Ama, hearing specialist, brings to the practice 17 years of experience in providing hearing care from her native country of Brazil. There she worked with the Pontificia Universidade Catholica in Sao Paolo, providing clinical services and presenting research papers on vestibular rehabilitation and the effects of ototoxic drugs on the auditory system.
She also completed an internship at the University of Bordeaux, France, and there she was involved with clinical audiology services, hearing aids and vestibular rehabilitation.
Lais holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology from the Pontificaia Universidade Catolica de Sao Paulo and has taken courses in physiotherapy from the Universidade de Sao Paulo – Faculdade de Medicina. She is licensed in California as a hearing aid dispenser.
After moving to the U.S. she worked for many years in Palo Alto at a large medical clinical providing hearing services to children and adults. Lais currently lives in Palo Alto.
Giana Hatem
(she/her/hers)
Au.D.- Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Giana Hatem graduated from University of the Pacific with her Doctor of Audiology.
She has specialized in testing of adult diagnostic evaluations, pediatric diagnostic
evaluations, tinnitus evaluations, and amplification device/hearing aid programming. Dr.
Hatem has a passion for helping others and strives to make improvement in patients'
lives by addressing hearing loss, tinnitus, and communication based needs.
Dr. Hatem is licensed in audiology and hearing device dispensing by the state of
California. She also holds certification by the National Council of Certified Dementia
Practitioners as a certified Dementia Practitioner.
Dr. Hatem is a first generation American and is fluent in Lebanese Arabic. She is a San
Mateo local and is excited to once again call the area home. She also enjoys being
outdoors, hiking and photography.
Audiology Licensure: California
College: B.A. Speech and Hearing, Cleveland State University, Cleveland Ohio
Graduate: Au.D. University of the Pacific, San Francisco, California
Darcy Benson
(she/her/hers)
Au.D. - DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY
Dr. Darcy Benson, founder of California Hearing Center, believes that "regaining the ability to hear brings people back into the world around them." With over 30 years of experience, she has a dedication to the field of hearing care that stretches far beyond her practice. She brings this high level of expertise with her to her daily interactions with the patients she sees. Dr. Benson’s focus is on providing evidence-based practice in a patient-centered care environment. She is passionate about her work and in improving the lives of her patients through better hearing.
Dr. Benson received her clinical doctorate in Audiology in 2006. She is board certified by the American Board of Audiology and is licensed in California as a dispensing audiologist. Her work has been published in professional journals and audiology textbooks. In 2018, she was awarded the Inspired-by-lda label, a benchmark of quality of care.
Dr. Benson is active in the field of audiology and is a consultant for companies carrying out research on new technology and fitting systems. As a member of the advisory board of the Ida Institute, she worked with an international team of audiologists to integrate person centered care into hearing care around the world. Dr. Benson is native to the Bay Area and lives on the peninsula.
Sierra Melendez
(she/her/hers)
Doctorate of Audiology Extern
Sierra earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from California State University, Sacramento. She is currently in her final year of graduate school at the University of the Pacific, where she is pursuing her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) and is expected to graduate in July 2026.
Sierra has a strong interest in adult diagnostic testing, tinnitus management, and the personalized selection and fitting of hearing devices. Having a hearing loss herself, she brings a unique and empathetic perspective to her work, striving to connect with patients on both a professional and personal level. She is passionate about helping others improve their communication and enhance their overall quality of life.
Audiology Licensure: California
College: AA Psychology, AA Interdisciplinary Studies: Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sacramento City College
College: B.S. Communication Sciences and Disorders, California State University, Sacramento
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Jennifer Ratner
(she/her/hers)
Audiology Staff, Doctor of Audiology
Dr. Ratner was awarded her doctorate in audiology from the top graduate audiology program in the country, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She has worked as a research assistant in the Dan Maddox Hearing Aid Research Laboratory at Vanderbilt University, and she completed her externship at the renowned Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Dr. Ratner went on to work at a private practice in Manhattan prior to joining our staff. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and a fellow of the Tinnitus Practitioners Association. She has a strong background in diagnostic testing, fitting and verification of hearing aids, counseling and orientation and auditory rehabilitation. As a music lover and former musician, she enjoys meeting the unique needs of musicians with hearing loss. In 2017, she was awarded the Rising Stars Top 40 Under 40 award from the Business Council of Westchester.