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 - Berkely

Dr. Emily McMahan – Tinnitus Audiologist Near Berkeley, CA

A tinnitus-focused audiologist caring for patients from Berkeley and the wider East Bay at California Hearing Center’s San Mateo and San Carlos clinics.

Tinnitus Care for Berkeley Patients, Led by a Specialist

If you live in Berkeley and are dealing with ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears, you may have already heard
“your hearing is fine” or “there’s nothing to do.” Many people come to Dr. Emily McMahan, AuD after hearing exactly that.

Dr. McMahan is a tinnitus-focused audiologist who has built her career around helping people understand and manage tinnitus.
Patients from Berkeley, North Berkeley, Elmwood, Rockridge, and across the East Bay routinely make the trip across the Bay Bridge
to see her because they want more than a basic hearing test — they want a clear plan.

At California Hearing Center, she provides tinnitus evaluations, sound therapy guidance, counseling, and access to advanced tools
like Lenire for appropriate 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 care to the Bay Area.

You can explore more of her story and philosophy here:

Her patients appreciate that she:

Explains tinnitus in clear, practical language instead of dense medical jargon
Connects symptoms to what is happening in the auditory system and the brain
Offers realistic, step-by-step treatment pathways instead of miracle cures
Understands how stress, sleep, and a busy East Bay/Bay Area lifestyle affect tinnitus
Helps people feel heard, validated, and less alone in what they’re experiencing

Dr. McMahan’s Approach to Tinnitus Care

Two people in Berkeley can describe the same “ringing” sound and still need completely different care. That’s why
Dr. McMahan focuses on your full story, not just your audiogram.

Her approach typically includes:

Listening first – understanding when your tinnitus started, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your sleep, work, and everyday life.
Comprehensive testing – beyond a quick “pass/fail” screen, including detailed hearing tests and tinnitus-specific measures when appropriate.
Education – explaining what tinnitus is (and isn’t), why it reacts to stress and attention, and what realistic progress looks like over time.
Personalized treatment planning – selecting the right mix of sound therapy, counseling strategies, hearing technology, and advanced tools such as Lenire.
Ongoing support – adjusting your plan as life changes, not just sending you home with a handout.

You can get a deeper sense of how she talks about tinnitus here:
What tinnitus really is (and why many people can learn to tune it out).

Who From Berkeley Typically Sees Dr. McMahan?

People from Berkeley and the East Bay often schedule with Dr. McMahan when they:

Have been told “nothing can be done” but feel their tinnitus is getting more intrusive
Notice tinnitus is affecting their sleep, ability to read or study, or quiet time at home
Are juggling work or school around UC Berkeley or downtown and feel tinnitus spikes when they finally slow down
Experience tinnitus along with sound sensitivity, stress, or jaw/neck tension
Want a structured, evidence-based plan instead of trying random tips from the internet

Whether your tinnitus is new or something you’ve lived with for years, the focus is on what can help you now — not on blaming yourself
for past noise exposure or life events.

What to Expect at a Tinnitus Visit

1. Conversation & History

Your appointment begins with a detailed conversation about your tinnitus, your health history, and your goals. Many Berkeley
patients say this is the first time anyone has truly listened to how tinnitus affects their life.

2. Hearing & Tinnitus Testing

You’ll complete a set of hearing tests and, when appropriate, tinnitus-specific tests 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 will review your results with you in plain language and connect them to what you feel day to day. Together, you’ll
discuss possible next steps and which treatment options make sense for your situation.

4. Treatment Plan & Follow-Up

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

How Dr. McMahan Thinks About Progress

One of the most common questions from Berkeley patients is, “What does getting better actually look like?” Dr. McMahan often
talks about progress as:

Less time spent thinking about tinnitus
Less emotional reaction when you notice it
More control over sleep, focus, and daily routines

You can read more in her article

What tinnitus progress really looks like
.

For people feeling overwhelmed by online information, she also shares guidance in

How to find safe, evidence-based tinnitus help online
, which many Berkeley and East Bay patients find reassuring.

Seeing Dr. McMahan When You Live in Berkeley

While California Hearing Center does not have a physical office in Berkeley, many East Bay patients find it worthwhile to
travel across the Bay Bridge to see a tinnitus-focused specialist.

Depending on your schedule, you can choose the location that fits best with your commute or family life:

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

Patients often combine appointments with other trips into the Peninsula or San Francisco, or schedule visits on lighter workdays
to make the travel easier.

Schedule a Tinnitus Visit with Dr. McMahan

If you are in Berkeley or the East Bay 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. McMahon in San Carlos

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