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 - San Mateo

Dr. Emily McMahan – Tinnitus Audiologist Near San Mateo, CA

A tinnitus-focused audiologist caring for patients from San Mateo and across the Peninsula at California Hearing Center’s San Mateo and San Carlos clinics.

Tinnitus Care for San Mateo Patients, Led by a Specialist

If you live in San Mateo and are dealing with ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears, it can be frustrating to hear
“your hearing is fine” or “just learn to live with it.” Many of our patients have already heard those phrases before
they meet Dr. Emily McMahan, AuD.

Dr. McMahan is a tinnitus-focused audiologist who has helped thousands of people better understand and manage their tinnitus.
Patients from San Mateo neighborhoods like Baywood, Aragon, Shoreview, and Hillsdale, as well as nearby cities such as Burlingame
and Foster City, regularly seek her out for her calm, thorough, and evidence-based approach.

At California Hearing Center, she provides tinnitus evaluations, sound therapy guidance, counseling, and access to advanced tools
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. In addition to
her work with California Hearing Center, she has led a dedicated tinnitus practice and is known nationally for her focus on
helping people who feel stuck, scared, or discouraged by their tinnitus.

Her patients appreciate that she:

Explains tinnitus in clear, practical language instead of medical jargon
Connects symptoms to what is happening in the auditory system and the brain
Offers realistic, step-by-step treatment pathways instead of quick fixes or miracle promises
Understands how stress, sleep, anxiety, and lifestyle in a busy area like San Mateo affect tinnitus
Helps patients feel heard, supported, and less alone throughout the process

You can read more about her background and philosophy here:
Full Bio – Dr. Emily McMahan »

Dr. McMahan’s Approach to Tinnitus Care

Tinnitus is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Two people in San Mateo can describe a similar ringing sound but have very different
experiences and needs. Dr. McMahan’s approach is to understand your tinnitus in the context of your entire life, not just your audiogram.

Her care often includes:

Listening first – understanding when your tinnitus started, how it has changed, and how it affects your sleep, work, and home life.
Comprehensive testing – going beyond “pass/fail” hearing screens with detailed audiological and tinnitus-specific tests when appropriate.
Education – explaining what tinnitus is (and is not), why it behaves the way it does, and what realistic progress looks like over time.
Personalized treatment planning – choosing the right mix of sound therapy, counseling strategies, hearing technology, and advanced tools such as Lenire.
Ongoing support – adjusting your plan as life, stress levels, or symptoms change.

Who From San Mateo Typically Sees Dr. McMahan?

People from San Mateo and surrounding Peninsula communities often schedule with Dr. McMahan when they:

Have been told “there’s nothing to do” for tinnitus but feel it is getting worse
Notice tinnitus is affecting their sleep, focus, or ability to relax at home
Have tried basic masking apps or background noise without much lasting relief
Experience tinnitus along with sound sensitivity, stress, or jaw/neck tension
Want a structured, evidence-based plan instead of scattered tips from online forums

Whether your tinnitus is new or something you have lived with for years, she focuses on what is possible now — not on what you “should have done” in the past.

What to Expect at a Tinnitus Visit in San Mateo

1. Conversation & History

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

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 are 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 in San Mateo for eligible patients, along with
follow-up visits to monitor and support your progress.

How Dr. McMahan Uses 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 are more appropriate starting points.

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 personal goals.

Seeing Dr. McMahan Near San Mateo

While California Hearing Center’s primary tinnitus clinic for San Mateo residents is our office on N San Mateo Drive, many
patients also choose to see Dr. McMahan at our San Carlos location depending on their work and family 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, simply let our team know you are in San Mateo and would like to see Dr. McMahan for tinnitus care.

Schedule a Tinnitus Visit with Dr. McMahan

If you are in or near San Mateo and ready to talk 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 interested in tinnitus care with Dr. McMahan and are coming from San Mateo.