Testimonials

"I've been a patient of Pittsburgh Ear Associates since 1984. I had stapes surgery performed that year and they've continued to care for the health of my ears and my hearing needs ever since. The doctors and the audiology staff are not only professionally excellent, they also take a personal interest in me as their patient. Over all these years they have never failed to go out of their way to provide me with the care, advice, products and services I need to keep me healthy, comfortable and functional. They have my respect and sincere appreciation." Ted B.


"I have been looking for the newest technology for my type o hearing loss in a clinic that comes with knowledge and expertise, and I found it all here. Everyone in the staff is really friendly and they make sure you are well taken care of. The new pair of hearing aids work great and Denise made sure the pair is really programmed to fit my hearing needs. She did not leave anything out. I have already recommended Denise and this clinic to others as I had the pleasant experience in the transition from my old hearing aids to the new ones." Gabriela C.


"This morning was the first morning in 20 years I have been able to have a conversation with my husband at the breakfast table. Thank you!" Shirley C.


“The care I have received at Pittsburgh Ear is wonderful. Julie and all the other women go out of their way to help me. No complaints at all.” Martha H.


“I have been visiting Pittsburgh Ear for more than five years. The care and service I have received have been excellent, from the friendly audiologists to the doctors. Thank for the great service!” Charles H.


“I got excellent care at Pittsburgh Ear. The people are very caring. They answer all my questions. If I had a problem, all I had to do is give them a call. I always got the help I needed. I am very satisfied with the cochlear implant. I am very grateful for all the staff. Rhonda Tubbs is the greatest at what she does. Dr. Hillman is an excellent doctor. I am very thankful for them both.” Francis C.


“I am very pleased with the care given to me by the staff at Pittsburgh Ear, in particular Dr. Douglas Chen and Dr. Rhonda Tubbs. I am the successful recipient of a cochlear implant. The technology used in the implant is amazing and has improved my hearing significantly. Rhonda has been readily available to answer any questions and to adjust the settings of the processor. I highly recommend Pittsburgh Ear.” Sheila G.


“Pittsburgh Ear Associates and Rhonda Tubbs, audiologist, activated my cochlear implant system in March 2006. Since that time, I have seen Rhonda at least semi-annually and have always found her to be professional, personable and genuinely interested in my receiving the maximum benefit from my cochlear implant system device. Of particular interest to me has been Rhonda’s willingness to take care of any problems I have 24/7. I could not be happier with the care I have received from Pittsburgh Ear Associates, Dr. Douglas Chen and Rhonda Tubbs.” Howell B.


“I have been a patient at Pittsburgh Ear Associates for the past 16 years. At first I used bilateral hearing aids and then for the past 9 years I’ve worn a cochlear implant. Getting the implant has completely changed my life. It took me out of isolation and put me back into conversations and socializing. Also I can use the telephone and an I-pod. That’s something I could never do before. Most of all I can be independent again. The doctors, audiologists and staff at Pittsburgh Ear are like family to me. I will be forever grateful for their expertise and patience.” Lisa P.


“At the age of 13, an accident left me with a severe hearing loss caused by trauma to the ossicular chain. The hearing loss greatly affected my quality of life, as well as my interaction with my family and friends. Four surgeries and 34 years later, I came to Pittsburgh Ear Associates seeking a way to improve my hearing. After a thorough review of my medical records, a comprehensive hearing screening, and an extensive physical examination, Dr. Chen agreed to try yet another surgical procedure. However, once again the surgical treatment for my conductive hearing loss was unable to correct the mechanical problem.” Anonymous.


“Over the next ten years, I began to encounter problems hearing the responses of my students. Sounds had become softer in volume and more difficult to understand. As a result, I again returned to Pittsburgh Ear Associates and Dr. Chen for help. The follow-up hearing screening results indicated that the hearing in my damaged ear had not changed, but the hearing in the other ear had declined. Surgery was not an option, but rather a hearing aid was recommended. While explaining the potential for success of digital hearing aids, Dr. Chen’s audiologist, Rhonda Tubbs, offered another option, the Vibrant Soundbridge. A year later, I became a candidate in a clinical study for this middle ear implant system.” Anonymous.


“The results were amazing. My improved speech understand, particularly in noisy surroundings of a classroom, enables me to hear the softer voices of some of my students. The Vibrant Soundbridge is comfortable and cannot be seen, but more importantly the sound quality is very natural. Thanks to the skill and knowledge of both Dr. Chen and Rhonda Tubbs, I am now able to perform my job better, to enjoy music, and to hear the sounds of nature. The sounds of the world that I have been missing the last 44 years can be emotionally overwhelming at times. In spite of this, I am truly enjoying ‘the beautiful noise’.” Anonymous.


“I have been a patient of Pittsburgh Ear Associates for over 20 years. I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Chen and his staff. Dr. Chen has always been up front and honest with me and will gladly answer any questions I have. I have also been able to schedule emergency appointments when needed. My hearing loss was initially corrected with hearing aids. Everything about the hearing aids I purchased was fully explained to me. I was confident I had the best hearing instruments for my type of hearing loss. In 2007, after 30 years of wearing hearing aids, I received my first cochlear implant followed by a second in 2009. Dr. Chen explained the procedure to me and presented me with all the pro’s and con’s. After talking with Rhonda Tubbs, AuD, CCC-A I decided a Med-El cochlear implant was the best for me. Following surgery I worked with Rhonda when my sound processor was turned on and through the weeks of follow up adjustments. My hearing loss journey has been a remarkable one and I feel fortunate to have Dr. Chen, Rhonda and the staff of Pittsburgh Ear Associates in my corner. Without hesitation, I recommend Pittsburgh Ear Associates.” Gail G.


“My experience with Dr. Chen and his staff began about 13 years ago when I was referred to his office with a hearing loss. This was not the first of my hearing problems, but certainly the most serious up to that time. Dr. Chen successfully removed a cholesteatoma from my left ear. Subsequent hearing tests showed my hearing losses continued. I had tried conventional hearing aids several times over the years. The aids were never a good fit for me.” Anonymous.


“Upon Dr. Chen’s recommendation in November, 2008, I prepared for surgery for the Vibrant Soundbridge implanted hearing aid. I worked closely with Dr. Rhonda Tubbs, audiologist, to ensure the implant would be the best for me. My VSB was implant January, 2009. My receiver was ‘turned on’ two months later. Dr. Tubbs has had to tweak the program several times with great success. With the co-operation of Dr. Chen, Dr. Tubbs and his staff, the VSB has greatly improved my hearing and quality of life.” Barbara W.


“I cannot thank you enough for the change this has made in my life. The gift of hearing I’ve taken so much for granted until it is lost. As I lost my hearing, I withdrew into my own little world. I’m so thankful when a friend of my daughters recommended Pittsburgh Ear and Dr. Chen. I had my first appointment in June and my cochlear implant in October. Everybody I have come in contact with from the office to hospital has been caring and helpful – answering questions – just wonderful. I especially thank Dr. Chen, my surgeon, his staff. Thank God for Dr. Chen’s talent and dedication – his wisdom. I also thank my audiologist, Rhonda Tubbs, who has ‘hooked me up’ and is helpful as I am learning to listen again. I also thank her for answering all my questions and the suggestions. Life is so different with the implant and I am so thankful for the invention of the cochlear implant.” Norma


“Quality equipment, professional staff and services, and very dependable.” Mike


“Pittsburgh Ear Associates has been a big plus in my life. I have the BAHA system. Occasionally the Cordell II has needed repair and Rhonda Tubbs or another audiologist is available and I get immediate assistance. Dr. Chen and his staff are excellent, efficient, and caring. When Rhonda held the BAHA to my head in the back and I could hear what she said to me!!!! My daughter said the look on my face and the tears were wonderful to see. Thank you for all you have done for me.” Lorraine


“Recently I was enabled to hear again having been given a cochlear implant. This was a gift beyond description. Speaking with Dr. Douglas Chen of the Pittsburgh Ear Associates, also his staff and having passed required health tests had an appointment about having this delicate operation. This was followed by Rhonda Tubbs, a very knowledgeable, understanding person. Rhonda explained and guided me through the use of the new hearing aid, also how the former sounds would gradually become more as I had heard them. To the kind attentive staff at Pittsburgh Ear Associates, I am most appreciative and grateful for my new gift.” Sue


“I especially want to thank you – I was so sure I would not do this the first time I was in your office. It was overwhelming when I’d never heard of the cochlear implant. After all though, you have been so encouraging to me – such a help in answering my ‘stupid questions’ and it is now a miracle to hearing better every day! Thank you and God bless you.” Norma V.